Just tell the fucking world you exist – that’s a start

“A human being’s made of more than air
With all that bulk, you’re bound to see him there
Unless that human bein’ next to you
Is unimpressive, undistinguished
You know who… Cellophane. Mister Cellophane”
From the musical Chicago

I meet many artists who are so modest about their work that they are almost afraid to tell the world they exist. It’s as if they’re “Mr. Cellophane.”

I know arts presenters who appear to almost go out of their way to NOT market their programs and events.

I see arts organizations with staff who are never seen or heard, even to their members.

And then, these same artists and organizations wonder why they are undistinguished and, if they are ever slightly glimpsed, appear unimpressive.

“Nobody appreciates what I do?” “Nobody wants to pay for the art I create.” “Nobody wants to fund our projects.” And on and on and on.

Guess what? There’s a solution:

TELL THE FUCKING WORLD YOU EXIST

Even if you just try one of the following, you’ll be on your way to accomplishing a profile that makes you more than just Mr. or Ms. Cellophane:

• Write a blog (use WordPress) about you or your organization and share, really share, what you think about and do. Tell us who you are.
• Record a video on YouTube of you at work, in your studio, in your office, at your rehearsal. Here’s one by visual artist Michael Markowsky that rocks.
• Post images of your work on Flickr from your creation process or from your events. Theatre and dance company Sun.Ergos does this really well.
• Use Facebook or Twitter to let people in on what you’re doing. Photographer Kris Krug does this regularly.

Just start doing something to make yourself more visible to let the world know you breathe, live and create.