Calls to Action for Artists

Let’s talk about the thing that quietly makes or breaks whether your social media marketing actually works for you. It’s the Call to Action.

In this blog, we’re talking specifically about social media, but this also super applies to your email marketing, your website copy, and pretty much anywhere you’re doing your digital marketing. So keep that in mind!

But listen, if you’re putting time and energy into sharing something on social media, you’ve got to give people a clear next step. They’re scrolling their feed, they see your post, they think “Wow, a pretty picture” or “Oh, that’s really nice” and then... Nothing… and they just go back to scrolling. Dang, what a wasted opportunity for connection!

What is a Call To Action?

Simply put, a CTA (Call to Action) is telling your audience what you want them to do next.

That’s it.

It isn’t manipulation or hard selling.
There’s no used-car-salesman energy required.

Examples of actions you might want someone to take:

• Visit your shop

• Join your email list

• Comment on your post

• Share it with a friend

• DM you for more info
  

If you don’t tell people what to do, most of them… won’t do anything.

"But I Don't Want To Sound Pushy"

I hear you, and I absolutely feel the same.

You don’t have to pressure anyone. A CTA isn’t pushy! It’s helpful guidance. You’re actually helping people who already like your work figure out how to support you, engage with you, or get that thing they want from you.

Think of it this way: if someone loves your art, a CTA actually makes it easier for them to act on that feeling.

Strong CTAs Are Specific

One of the biggest mistakes I see is vague CTAs like “Link in bio” and “Check out my website”. And we are all guilty of these! Instead, tell people what to do and why.

For example: “My new unicorn keychains drop Saturday at 10 am. Head to the link in my bio to join the waitlist for early access.”

A clear and specific CTA is easier to act on.


If you’re ever stuck, here’s a simple, effective template:

“If you’ve been ___ and you want ___, then you should ___.”

Here’s how it might sound in action: “If you’ve been enjoying seeing my paintings and you want something beautiful and magical for your home, then you should visit my Etsy shop through the link in my bio.”

Not Every CTA is About Making a Sale

This part is important. Social media is about engagement first, conversion second. We’re building brand awareness, nurturing a community, and garnering trust and interest. So, in that case, not every post needs to sell something… in fact, it shouldn't!

Some great non-sales CTAs:

• “Comment ‘banana soup’ and I’ll DM you the link.”
  

• “Which colourway is your favourite? Tell me in the comments.”
  

• “If this resonates, drop an emoji below.”
  

• “Send this to a friend who would relate.”
  
  

These help you:

1. Build community
   

2. Increase visibility
   

3. Train your audience to interact with your content
   
   

Remember: Sales come after connection.

Match Your CTA to Your Goal

Every CTA should support one specific goal.

Ask yourself:

• Do I want more engagement?
  

• Do I want email subscribers?
  

• Do I want people to visit my shop?
  

• Do I want to start conversations in DMs?

Your CTA should match that goal, and it doesn’t have to be the same goal every time. It's good to mix it up with your posts.

What If No One Responds?

This part gets in a lot of artists’ heads… heck, it gets to me more often than not, too. If no one responds right away, that is completely normal. Don't get embarrassed and delete your post! Your audience needs to get used to being guided. You’re training them to expect CTAs from you. The more consistently you include them, the more people will start responding. Silence at first isn’t embarrassing. It’s just part of the process.

Don't Hide Your CTA

A CTA doesn’t belong only at the bottom of your post description, where barely anyone will read it. (Be honest, how many post descriptions do you actually read when scrolling TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Instagram?) Instead, try saying your CTA out loud in your reels or adding it as text on a carousel slide. Make it easy to catch.

So, In Conclusion...

Looking at a beautiful photo of a hand-thrown mug, a watercolour painting, or a crocheted shawl is nice, but on its own, it rarely leads to action. Before you hit publish on your next post, pause and ask yourself: What do I want someone to do after seeing this? Then tell them.

A call to action doesn’t have to be pushy, salesy, or gross. You don’t need fake urgency or constant discounts. You’re simply giving people direction; whether that’s joining your newsletter, saving your post, visiting your shop, or buying your latest piece.

And, hey, if this was helpful and you want more practical, artist-friendly marketing advice like this (for free), sign up for my newsletter. See? Even this blog post has a CTA.