We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alan Simonton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alan, appreciate you joining us today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?
Backstory: As a real estate agent and artist, I often encounter challenging opportunities.
Lesson Learned:
Experiencing this has taught me a crucial lesson about setting and achieving goals within a 30-60-90 day goal setting format.
The most important lesson I learned was the significance of perseverance and strategic goal-setting.
My process for selling:
Understanding the Market.
Setting Realistic Goals.
Creating a Customized Strategy.
Adapting to Feedback.
Building Relationships.
Continuous Evaluation.
Patience and Perseverance.
As a business owner in the real estate and art field today, I carry these lesson’s with me. Whether it’s setting sales targets, expanding my client base, or navigating challenges in a competitive market, I know that strategic goal-setting, adapting to feedback, and maintaining a patient yet persistent approach are key to achieving success in ever-changing landscape’s.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve known that the Art industry is where I belong. I have pursued excellence in deepening my knowledge and expertise. Over the years, I’ve seen sales increase, received constructive feedback and gained relationships within this field.
I have specialize in offering a few different styles of artwork, which are designed to bring light and life to my clients space’s. From commissioned pieces to my inspired creations, I’m dedicated to expressing my unique styles that from afar draw the eye and bring the viewer in to see the detail
I’m most proud of how my art business started off with sales and created a following of wonderful, encouraging fans. This accomplishment reinforces my commitment to growing in skillset and create a story within my artwork’s.
I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that my art will be colorful with movement and unique styles that will inspire. With, every art show or online sale I’ve worked to learn more of what my buyers love. When you choose to purchase from or follow A.SimontonGallery, you’re choosing to embrace an artful journey that will definitely be interesting and thought provoking. You will be joining a community that values integrity, open mindedness and a love for others.
In a nutshell, I’m deeply passionate about a lifelong creative pursuit, and my journey has been a culmination of a desire to express myself within visual arts.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Building my social media audience has been an exciting journey that has revolved around authenticity, responsiveness, and strategic planning. When I initially embarked on this path, I was determined to create a community where my followers felt a genuine connection to both my message and branding.
Genuine Engagement: I started by sharing content that truly resonated with my personal interests and expertise. Authenticity was paramount, as I wanted my audience to see the real me behind the online presence. By being genuine and transparent in my posts, I began attracting like-minded individuals who appreciated my authenticity.
Responsiveness: I recognized the importance of fostering two-way communication. I made it a priority to respond promptly to comments, messages, and feedback from my audience. This not only made my followers feel valued, but it also encouraged meaningful conversations that further solidified the sense of community.
Strategic Planning: Beyond spontaneity, I developed a comprehensive content strategy. I identified the key themes and topics that aligned with my expertise and resonated with my target audience. By planning my content in advance, I ensured a consistent flow of engaging posts that catered to my followers’ interests.
Branding Consistency: Establishing a strong and recognizable brand identity was essential. I maintained a consistent visual aesthetic, voice, and tone across all my posts. This not only made my content easily recognizable but also added to the sense of professionalism.
Adaptation and Growth: As my audience grew, I remained attentive to their preferences. I regularly analyze the engagement metrics to understand what type of content was most popular. This has allowed me to adapt and evolve my strategy while staying true to my core message.
Advice for Beginners: For those just starting to build a social media presence, I would emphasize these key points:
Be Authentic: Authenticity is your strongest asset. Share content that reflects your true self and passions; this will attract an audience that genuinely connects with you.
Engage Actively: Building a community requires engagement. Respond to comments, messages, and interactions with sincerity. This interaction creates a lasting impression on your followers.
Plan Ahead: Develop a content plan that aligns with your expertise and resonates with your target audience. Consistency and planning will keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.
Visual Identity: Establish a recognizable visual identity that sets you apart. Consistency in colors, fonts, and imagery helps your brand stand out.
Adapt and Learn: Pay attention to your analytics. They provide valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t. Adapt your strategy based on data while staying true to your brand.
Building a social media presence takes time and effort, but the relationships you form and the impact you make are incredibly rewarding. By focusing on authenticity, engagement, and planning, you can cultivate a thriving online community that reflects your values and expertise
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
I must say that my management and entrepreneurial thinking have been profoundly influenced by my faith in the Lord, which I prioritize above all else. This foundation has provided me with values, principles, and a sense of purpose that guide my approach to business and leadership.
In addition to my faith, there is a fantastic resources that has left a lasting impact on my management and entrepreneurial journey:
‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins: This book resonated deeply with me as it emphasizes the importance of disciplined thought, action, and a commitment to excellence. It taught me the significance of building a strong foundation before pursuing growth and innovation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://asimontongallery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alansimontonarts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.simonton1/
- Other: https://asimontongallery.square.site/