This is a guest post by Debi Watson. Debi is a watercolor artist whose paintings have won awards in juried shows across the nation. American Artist Magazine recently named her “Teacher of the Year.”

I’ve sent postcards and brochures of my art for years, but I never kidded myself. I knew that those mailings got thrown away or filed and forgotten, but I didn’t know a better way to market my art.

Then I discovered that calendar magnets cost only slightly more than postcards, and a light bulb went on over my head. Unlike postcards and brochures, a magnetic calendar might be kept for a whole year.

So in 2007, I ordered my first batch of calendar magnets, complete with a photo of one of my paintings.

A New Art Marketing Plan

First I sent the magnets to past customers. Then I sent them to potential customers—galleries, art centers, and the like.

Whenever possible, I sent the calendars to actual people rather than generic business addresses. (That way, the magnet felt like a personal gift.) Then I saved the names and addresses in an Excel spreadsheet so I could do it all again next year.

Brand Yourself With Calendars

My colleagues were skeptical of this art marketing plan, but I saw results almost immediately. Most places I visited had my calendars in their workspace for easy access. Because of this, my name was familiar to them.

When art associations needed someone to fill in for a cancellation, they called me because my name, number and artwork was in view. One customer recognized my cat prints at an art show.

“Oh, you’re the calendar magnet lady!” she remarked. “How nice to finally meet you.”

Make Yourself Memorable

People were universally happy to receive a gift in the mail. One show curator told me, “I get a warm feeling when I see your return address on my envelope. You’re the only one who gives me something without strings.”

Calendar magnets are inexpensive, but they get your foot in the door. They also identify you as a friendly, easily accessible person.

Although I continue to send postcards and other marketing, the calendar magnets continue to be my most successful form of art marketing. In a largely impersonal world, I’ve become memorable.

You can read Debi’s blog, see her work and watch free painting videos at www.debiwatson.com.