This page is designed as a support system and guide for having the most successful event possible and for general instructions for the different aspects of the event. Check back often, the content is ever-changing
How-To Create Your EBOS Account and Profile
Steps you’ll take to create a new account and artist directory profile
How-To-Create Your Profile
Screen-recording of the process of creating an artist directory profile
EBOS 2023 Registration Webinar Slides
Slides shared during the January 25th, 2023 Webinar
EBOS Best Practices Webinar September 2022
Featuring Artists Fernando Reyes, Jan Watten and Susan Brooks, along with Calder Anderson, Mark Gebhardt and Jean Marie Durant
Send out e-blasts to the people already on your e-lists with details about your weekend event and the Opening Celebration and Preview Exhibition.
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Website
Many of your own followers and fans will come out to the event specifically to visit with you. Let them know it’s happening and this is an opportunity to acquire more of your art for their collection.
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Social Media
• Post your event on Instagram and/or your Facebook pages and tag @eastbayopenartstudios so that we will repost
• Post or tweet about your event to specifically get people out to your event.
• Post videos of your studio to get people out to your event and to learn about your studio.
• Follow East Bay Open Studios Instagram and Facebook pages and comment and repost.
• Our Instagram hashtags are #EBOS, #EBOS2023, and #EastBayOpenStudios2023
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Personalize the printable signage
Do a mailing or pass them out to your friends and contacts before the event and during the Opening Celebration. We will have a table at the Opening Celebration where you can place your promotional materials for our guests.
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Hyper Local Promotion
There are many different publications and websites that you can add your event to. Some listings are even free. This will give you additional exposure during the event. Facebook and NextDoor are great resources.
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Create Your Own Flyer
Add your name, address, contact information and some images and photocopy them so it’s all on one sheet. Remember that the public will not be able to go to every single open studio, so you want to grab their attention and make it easy for them to find you.
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Use the Self-Printable Signage
• Please post signage only on the days of your event. You don’t want the public to be knocking on your door before or after the event has taken place.
• Please be sure to remove your signs immediately after your event is over. You are legally responsible for your actions, so please post and remove responsibly and in consideration of others. Thank you.
• Post them on your house, on your studio door, on your building, in your driveway, street corners, on sandwich boards, etc. and where ever you feel is suitable to guide people your way.
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Participate in the Spring Exhibition
This is a great opportunity to interface with the public, promote your weekend event and to enjoy the celebration with other participating artists. Hope to see you there.
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Be Ready to Open at 11am
Many people show up right at the start as they begin their tours and OFTEN people who come to these events show up last minute as they rush to get to their last stop on time. You may stay open as long as you like, but the official hours are 11am – 6pm. Sales are made last minute and you don’t want to cut yourself short by closing up too soon. Our advertised hours are 11am – 6pm each day. Please read the terms and conditions for details.
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Be Professional
Always be professional even if you do not consider yourself to be a professional artist. Your open studio event is not the time to be taking a shower or baking a birthday cake (unless the birthday cake is for one of your dedicated art collectors. Even then, bake it before they get there.) It is the time to be focused on your guests and selling, educating and/or promoting your art to them. If you plan to have family and friends around during the event, just be sure that they also behave in a professional manner.
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If You Are Doing Demonstrations
• Make sure children (and adults for that matter) can’t get near any chemicals, machinery, sharp tools, etc. Please use common sense. You are legally responsible for the activities in your space.
• Have a helper with you so that you can demonstrate while they sell your art to the public.
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Have a Variety of Work Availableors:
There will be a full range of visitors from all walks of life coming to this event from underpaid students to wealthy investors. The more you have to offer the public, the better – in terms of range of artwork and prices. Some people will have a $20 budget and others may have $20,000. People are never looking for the exact same thing. Be ready.
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Plan Ahead for Cash, Credit, Venmo and PayPal Purchases
Determine your preferred payment methods and be prepared with change, wifi and a fully charged phone or ipad.
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Be Prepared to Package/Wrap Sold Work
Be ready to make sales and have people walk away with purchases.
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Know Your Sales and Shipping Preferences
Be ready to help clients with information about packing, shipping, taxes, etc.
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Common Sense Safety
Be sure to keep your valuables tucked away and clear from doorways. This includes your artwork, of course.
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Guestbook/Mailing List
This is a great way to build your mailing lists and email lists. Have more than one guestbook in key places such as at the front door when they are on their way out and/or next to where you are sitting so you can point it out to them.
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Take lots of photos and maybe even some video:
Relax, have fun and enjoy the experience!