Your miracle #2.

Second phase, the opening night.

So we are at the opening night.

Now I am presuming that you and the Gallery or group have promoted you well and have competent staff to help you and now people are coming into your opening.

First, Artist things to consider, please appreciate that the people who are coming to your show have given up their precious time to come and look at your paintings and to meet you.

Show your appreciation by going up and speaking to every guest, yes every guest, who has complemented you by coming to your opening.

Be very friendly, smiling and chatty

Ignore your friends unless they are buying.

Talk to strangers about your work and try to say more than “yes” and “no.”

Let them ask you questions and tell the story behind each painting, tell them stories.

Appreciate that people are coming to see your Art work and that you are the center of attention, no place for the brooding, misunderstood Artist here.

If the Gallery introduces you to someone, that is an invitation to tell your story, because this opening night is your night and you cannot have two opening nights, so give it your very best.

On opening night have someone use your phone so you can go live video on Facebook and they will follow you around as you talk to the guests.

Have a friend take lots of still photos of you with people.

When you have sales, get photos of you and the buyer with the painting.

Have Certificates of Authenticity ready on the night to give to the buyer after the sale is completed. Have a prepared pack with your resume and email, cell number and studio address to give to the buyer and get their email address.

Have business cards to give out, not to fancy, your name, cell number and email, no need to list off all your qualifications, that's more for you than the client, they know who you are and get a business card or email off them, very important.

This will be a big night for you so give it your best.

A couple of closing thoughts, this a social event for all your guests, but it is your work and selling is what you need to do, enjoy your evening but concentrate on the potential buyers, that's what's important.

I had one opening and the Artist got so carried away on the social aspect of the show that they lost a big sale. I was showing the buyer the paintings and they were deciding on two in particular and I was getting close to the sale when Artist walked up and asked the person to come and have their picture taken, the fire went out immediately and they did not buy later.

I spoke to the Artist later as they had no sales and I reminded them that they are in business and the sale of their work was why we were there and the picture taking could have waited, they saw me with the potential buyer, join in and help the sale but don't interrupt, unfortunately they lost a good sale, two paintings.

Don't make that mistake always remember why you are there and what the objective of the exhibition is, sales.

I know it sounds harsh but you are exhibiting to sell, not party, that can happen after the close of the evening.

The key to a great opening night is to be friendly and chatty and the most important thing, don't miss a sale and also gather intelligence, cell numbers and emails.

I hope your opening night finishes a great success.

Now the ongoing exhibition, tomorrow, the third phase, post opening night.

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