We recently received this note and the photo above from a client who purchased and donated a major sculpture to a hospital in his home area:
Just wanted to let you know what a sensation the sculpture has been. Please let Gary Price know that it is in constant ‘use’ in front of the Einstein Medical Center Montgomery. The hospital, recognized as the third most beautiful in America, is very hard edged and maybe a little scary to some. The relaxed and welcoming Einstein changes all of that. It has its own facebook page (go to groups then einsteinlove) besides screen savers and constant ‘selfies’. The piece has added much pleasure and excitement to the hospital staff in whose honor it is dedicated.
Please let me know if Gary ever comes east near our area.
Thank you,
Bruce M
Beyond being extremely gratifying to know that we’ve facilitated an installation that has such a positive impact, this kind of testimonial from a client is tremendously valuable. Think of the power this short testimonial will have when someone is considering a similar purchase.
Ask for Testimonials
I would urge you to ask for testimonials from clients who buy work directly from you and encourage your galleries to collect testimonials from their clients and share them with you.
Asking for a testimonial can be very simple. Be sure and get your client’s email address, and then, about a month after any sale, send a follow-up note to the effect of:
Hi!
Thank you again for your purchase of the Albert Einstein bench. Now that you’ve had it in place for a month, I would love to hear what people are saying about him. Would you mind shooting me an email with a photo of the piece in place and any reaction you’ve heard and what you’ve felt about the work? I would love to share your thoughts with the artist and with others considering adding a Gary Price bench to their collection.
Thank you!
Obviously you would have to adapt the note to fit the situation of the sale, but you can send a similar simple note about even the smallest sales.
Not everyone will respond, but you’ll be amazed at the great things your clients will say about your work.
Giving Your Work a Social Media Following
The note from our client also points to another great social media marketing idea. By creating a Facebook group and asking people to share their own photos, the hospital has given the sculpture a life of its own. For major public installations of your art you could create your own Facebook group. Then ask for permission to create a card next to the piece encouraging people to post their photos with the piece.
Here are some photos that were posted to the Einstein group page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/664512926983143/ (you have to join the group to see the photos).
Your Testimonials
What have your clients said about your art? How have you gathered testimonials in the past? What do you think of the idea of gathering comments from your buyers? Share your experiences, thoughts, and testimonials in the comments below.
I did not realize it was ok to ask for a review. I thought as an artist, you’re just at the mercy of hoping you get one, and good one at that!
So based in that, I’m asking away. Thanks
Hi Jason –
I have a question about testimonials. Can one use a testimonial from a friend who has been gifted a piece of artwork? I have no doubt the testimonial is sincere because when I show him some new works, if he doesn’t like them he is quick to say so, and though he is polite about how he phrases his non-impressed reaction, he’s quite clear about it. So I believe his recent testimonial about the gifted artwork I gave him in November for his birthday is absolutely what he feels about the artwork. But he is not a paying client, which perhaps makes how he views the artwork very different. What are your thought on this situation? The testimonial is very powerful, and I’d like to find a way to use it.
Here is what he said about the artwork (Freedom Tower 620a2c2) – “I think it’s the greatest picture of NY that I’ve ever seen. It captures the lofty grandeur and the essence of the NY dream as no other picture I have seen. It is man reaching for the heavens and God meeting him in the beauty of his blue sky. Congratulations!”
Here’s a link to the artwork, Freedom Tower 620a2c2, on Artmajeur – https://www.artmajeur.com/klerner58/en/artworks/16356250/freedom-tower-620a2c2
As a gallery owner, do you think there is a way to use this testimonial??
Sincerely,
Ken Lerner
Great question. Perfectly fine to use a testimonial from a friend who has been gifted a piece of artwork, as long as the testimonial is sincere and honest. I think the fact that your friend is not a paying client does not necessarily make his opinion of the artwork any less valid. Share the testimonial on your website and on social media, or anywhere else a testimonial could add credibility to your marketing efforts.
Thank-you for your opinion and guidance!
I use testimonials from other artists including those who I studied with or under as well as collectors. I also got a testimonial from a former gallery owner who continues to help me with sales and from a charitable organization that I worked with on a fund raiser. I figure it can’t hurt. However I rarely see anyone visit the testimonials page on my website. Kind words are always encouraging.
Katherine, would it be possible to place an artwork’s testimonial on that painting’s individual page so that as people scroll down below the image to see the written information about title, medium, size, etc… perhaps the testimonial could be there, too? This way they wouldn’t have to take the initiative to search out and click on the testimonials page. You are right, kind words are always encouraging, and for people to see them in the artwork’s description may encourage them to buy your work. Just a thought.
Brilliant idea. I’ve used testimonials for other work before I became an artist (consulting, writing, teaching workshops) but had not thought to use them for the art although I’ve had many verbal comments from owners. Will give this a go. Thank you and thanks to all who comment here. I learn from everyone.
Thank you so much for this suggestion. I’ve always asked buyers if they’d send photos of the piece in its new home, but I’d never thought of asking for any comments. I’ll add this to my routine!
Love this! It’s brilliant!
What a great suggestion! I had never thought to ask for testimonials. I have clients whom have purchased several of my paintings that could provide great testimonials. If they like my work enough to purchase several pieces, they should have something nice to say, right?
I retired from a 40 plus-year sales career (first printing. then cellular, finally cars& trucks) before concentrating full-time on building my art business.
Any salesperson worth their salt, recognizes the value of testimonials from their customers, and those sales people expect their employers to produce a qualty product.
Any artist who doesn’t ask for testimonials is missing a great opportunity to connect with customers and to grow their business.