There are two parts of any marketing strategy: platforms and content. Your platforms include Facebook, blog, website, and newsletter. Your content is what you create for your audience. In modern marketing the idea is you create content that your ideal customer (a collector or a student for example) would finding of interest. When that person finds you through that content, she will want to stay.

Let's delve into content for Facebook art marketing. What makes Facebook different from other platforms is that it is incredibly interactive. It encourages sharing in a way that blogs and websites can't really do. Not everything you post will go viral, but if a student wants to comment and share a workshop you've just announced on your wall, he can do so easily.

When thinking about Facebook content, think about what you do and create as an artist. Make a list. You'll be surprised at how much you actually do and create right now. You are creating new work, entering shows, announcing classes and openings, and attending your favorite workshops. All of that is Facebook postable. And even better, all of it pertains to your life as an artist.

You may be thinking, "Why would anyone care what I'm doing?" And the truth is, not everyone will care, but more people will care than you think. I have a high school classmate who started her own photography business. I'm not a photographer, but I love it when she posts a new set from her portfolio. And I've told friends about her services. If there ever comes a time when I'm not interested, I can simply unsubscribe from her feed. I'm not unfriending her. Instead I'm just letting Facebook know that I don't want to receive her posts. Your followers can do the same, and it's one of the reasons Facebook is great. Each of us an individual gets to decide what we see and what we don't see.

However, if you are self conscious about expressing your burgeoning art career with people from your former life, Facebook let's you place people in categories so when you post, you can choose which group will see your post. Create a group called, "Art Life," and then if a collector friend requests you, you can put her into your Art Life group and make sure to only send that group (and not say the, "Hometown" group.)

Here are eight content ideas to help get you started. Look at your own artistic life and think about the content you might create beyond this list.

1. Workshops
If you are an art instructor, Facebook is a great place to announce new and upcoming workshops both on your wall and in your events section. You can include the information and then a link to that specific workshop on your website to learn more. A few weeks before the workshop, post a link to where people can find materials lists or answer any questions you are getting from students about the workshop. When you are at the workshop, have someone take pictures of you while you teach. With permission, take pictures of students with their work, and then take a group picture at the end. Make sure you ask permission before taking pictures of other people and of their work. Double check that they are OK with you posting the images to Facebook. Include your Facebook url on any and all class handouts and encourage students to Friend request you after they get home.

If you are attending a workshop, take pictures of your work and with permission,  the instructor's work. When you get home, Friend request the artist and then post images from the workshop in a gallery (for example, labeled, "Jacqueline Sullivan 2012 Workshop Whispering Woodlands.") Tag the artist in shots that include her. Friend request people you connected with in the workshop as well. Facebook is a wonderful way to build a group of supportive fellow artists. Very few of my close friends are artists, but I meet many wonderful artists on Facebook each week, and I am inspired by them constantly.

2. Art Show Opening
People want to know what you're up to so don't be afraid to announce when you do have an art show opening. Make sure to include all the information. If you've created a flier for the event, scan or photograph the flier and post it to your wall. Images and text combine more powerfully than just copy alone.  At the event, have a friend take pictures of you and your piece or pieces. If the gallery has a Facebook page, and you've liked it, you can write its name in the post and Facebook will link your wall post to the gallery's wall as well. This is a great way to give credit where credit is due.

3. Weekly or Monthly Art Challenge
Join a weekly or monthly art challenge like Creative Catalyst's Paint Out monthly art challenge (sign up here: http://ccpvideos.com/page/paint-out) and post your images on your wall and in a gallery labeled, "Creative Catalyst Paint Out Art Challenge." Tag the pieces with Creative Catalyst Productions. Write about the goals you had for the piece.  

4. Community College/Live Drawing Class/Online Class
If you are taking a class or go to a weekly drawing group, post what you're working on in a specific gallery. If you are a beginner, this is a great way to see your progress over the months. If you are a more advanced artist, write about what you were working on that night and how you feel you hit your missed your goals. That kind of writing can be very instructive to your students.

5. Feedback
Having trouble with a piece? Post it to Facebook and ask for feedback. Give guidelines for the type of feedback you'd like. For example, "I feel the color isn't balanced butI can't tell for the life of me where I went wrong. Color suggestions?"

6. Daily Painters
If you are a daily painter, Facebook is an excellent place to post your latest piece with a link back to your blog to learn more. If you aren't a daily painter, challenge yourself to do a daily piece and post it to Facebook.

7. Blog posts
If you are a blogger and write about your art and the art world, don't be afraid to plug your most recent post. Copy/paste the specific article url into a wall post and Facebook will create a link to your blog. Include a note in the wall post, for example, "Check out the value studies on my blog."

8. Creative Catalyst DVD inspired work
Challenge yourself to take one of the Creative Catalyst DVD workshops and create work from the lessons in the DVD. Post an image and some text about the experience directly to your wall, or create a blog post and post the direct link. (Don't forget to email Kelly@CCPVideos.com about it as well!)

None of these may be quite right for you, but the point is to create a content list. List what it is you do and what you create. Don't hold back. Make the list as detailed and include everything art related.

Once you have that initial list, take a step back and decide which of these reflects what you want to reflect as a professional. If you are selling your work, maybe you want to only show your best pieces. However, if you are very early in your art career and are still learning, you might be OK with posting disaster pieces. It's up to you.

Next, take that paired-down list and decide what images could go with each item. Some of these images you'll already naturally take and some of it you'll want to slowly train yourself to get. At first, it may feel awkward to ask a friend to take a picture of you with your artwork, but eventually it will become second nature, and you'll be happy you have it. And with all images including other people or work from third parties, make sure you have permission to both take and post the images.

Once you have a list, make goals for yourself as to what items and how often you'll post. Start with very manageable goals. For example, your goal might be to take 20 minutes every Monday evening to post your most recent piece and write a bit about it. Or take 30 minutes once a month to post your most recent entry into the Creative Catalyst Paint Out challenge. Both are fairly straight forward and an excellent place to start.

Remember, everyone will approach marketing a bit differently. I have my own approach, and it's what I write about here. If you're confused or scared, it's worth just starting somewhere. Start with my suggestions or start with someone else's. But then make sure you check back in with yourself to see what is and what isn't working. What works for your art buddies may or may not work for you. But don't be afraid to try. Just like with learning to paint, the more you do the more you'll learn about tools and techniques, and the quicker you'll find your own style in the world of art marketing.