Market Like a Magpie

Market Like a Magpie: Shiny Tactics That Actually Work for Artists
By Abbie Shores, who usually gives you the serious stuff… but not this time

Right, confession time.

I know I’m usually the one popping into your feeds or Pixels forum threads with structured marketing tips. Branding advice. SEO tweaks. Content calendars. All very useful—and I stand by every word—but also… a bit beige.

So today, I’m throwing the beige out the window. Because marketing doesn’t have to feel like a tax return with hashtags. Sometimes, you just need something a little weird, a little shiny, and a little joyful.

Hence, I give you: The Magpie Method.

This is marketing for the artists who are tired of being sensible. It’s sparkly. It’s cheeky. It’s effective. And, most importantly—it’s fun.

🪶 Rule One: Collect the Shiny Stuff (Unexpected Content Ideas)

Magpies don’t plan—they hoard. And as an artist, you should too.

Start collecting quirky, delightful bits of content. Not more polished art shots. Not more curated captions. I mean the odd, the offbeat, the “should I post this?” stuff.

• 📸 Outtakes and disasters (because we’ve all got at least one painting that turned into a potato).
• 🐾 Behind-the-scenes chaos. Did your dog step on the canvas? That’s gold.
• 🎨 Colour coincidences—“Here’s my breakfast that accidentally matched my palette.”
• 🎲 Dice rolls to decide what to paint next (yes, really—I’ve seen it work).

My rule of thumb: If it made you laugh, cringe, or cock your head sideways, it’s probably worth sharing.

💃 Rule Two: Be More Theatrical Than the Algorithm

We’re all shouting into the void of social media, but some shouts are more entertaining than others.

So yes—this is me officially encouraging you to be a bit dramatic.

• 🎭 Give a one-minute “gallery tour” in your poshest voice, even if your gallery is the corner of your kitchen.
• 🧙🏽‍♀️ Post a painting and declare it a magical relic with powers like “banishing art block” or “summoning commissions.”
• 📦 Unbox your own art like you’ve never seen it before. Be extra. Add sparkles.

Trust me: The algorithm loves a bit of human silliness. And so do your followers.

🖼️ Rule Three: Give Your Art a Life of Its Own

We spend so much time promoting ourselves—but what if we let the art do the talking?

Try this:

• Let a painting narrate a post. (“She says you’re ignoring your muse and eating too many biscuits.”)
• Introduce your work like characters. (“This is Henry. He’s moody, full of blue hues, and probably writes poetry.”)

People connect with personality, not perfection. Your art doesn’t have to sit still and behave—it can flirt, sulk, or sass its way into someone’s heart.

🧪 Rule Four: Test the Absurd

Here’s your official permission to be ridiculous.

• Post your work upside down with zero explanation.
• Sell “mystery prints” with only a cryptic clue about what they might be.
• Do a “meme mood board” about your art’s secret inner life.

(Yes, I’ve done some of these. Yes, they worked better than the careful posts I laboured over.)

🕊️ Rule Five: Reward the Shiny-Seekers

Everyone loves a little secret magic. Give your audience something that feels like theirs.

• Hide a recurring symbol in your work—make it a mini treasure hunt.
• Post a “secret code word” in your Stories that unlocks a freebie or discount.
• Offer quirky digital rewards: colouring pages, phone wallpapers, or even a thank-you spell from one of your paintings.

These aren’t just marketing tricks—they’re invitations. And people love to be part of something a bit magical.

🎯 Final Thoughts (From Serious-Abbie Again… Briefly)

I know marketing can feel like a never-ending list of must-dos. And yes, strategy has its place. But sometimes, the best thing you can do is loosen the grip, get a bit weird, and enjoy yourself again.

Be a magpie. Gather shiny ideas. Make marketing less of a chore and more of a game.

Because art isn’t boring.
So why should your advertising be?