The Ultimate Guide to the 7P’s of Marketing for Artists, Authors & Creatives on Social Media

In today’s digital world, social media is a powerful tool for artists, writers, and creatives to showcase their work, build an audience, and generate sales. However, simply posting content isn’t enough—you need a strategic marketing approach to stand out.

That’s where the 7P’s of Marketing come in.

Originally developed as a framework for traditional businesses, the 7P’s (Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People, Process, and Physical Evidence) are just as valuable for creative professionals. When applied correctly, they can help you attract more followers, engage your audience, and convert fans into customers.

In this guide, we’ll break down each of the 7P’s and show you exactly how to use them on social media—with real-world examples from successful artists and authors.


1. Product: What Are You Selling? (And How to Present It on Social Media)

Your product is your creative work—whether it’s paintings, books, music, prints, or services like commissions and workshops.

How to Showcase Your Product on Social Media:

✅ Highlight Unique Selling Points (USPs) – What makes your work different?
📌 Example: A fantasy author emphasizes: “My book blends cyberpunk with medieval lore—no one else is writing this!”

✅ Show Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) – People love seeing your creative process.
📌 Example: A digital artist posts a timelapse of their illustration with: “From sketch to final colors in 60 seconds!”

✅ Bundle Your Offerings – Increase perceived value.
📌 Example: A painter sells “Limited-edition prints + signed postcard” instead of just prints.

✅ Use High-Quality Visuals – Blurry photos won’t sell. Invest in good lighting and editing.


2. Price: How to Set & Communicate Your Pricing Strategy

Pricing can be tricky for creatives—charge too much, and you scare buyers away; charge too little, and you undervalue your work.

Pricing Strategies for Social Media:

✅ Tiered Pricing – Offer options for different budgets.
📌 Example: An illustrator offers:

  • $20 – Digital download
  • $50 – Signed print
  • $150 – Original artwork

✅ “From $X” Pricing – Makes high-ticket items feel more accessible.
📌 Example: “Custom portraits start at $200” (instead of listing max price).

✅ Payment Plans – Helps sell higher-priced items.
📌 Example: “Pay in 3 installments for my $300 art commission!”

✅ Psychological Pricing – $19.99 feels cheaper than $20.

📌 Pro Tip: If you’re nervous about pricing, say: “Limited slots at this price—increase coming soon!”


3. Place: Where Are You Selling? (Choosing the Right Platforms)

“Place” refers to where your audience can buy your work—your website, Etsy, Patreon, or even Instagram Shop.

Best Social Media Platforms for Creatives:

PlatformBest ForExample Use
InstagramVisual artists, photographers, authorsPosting Reels of your process, Stories for engagement
TikTokViral growth, behind-the-scenes contentQuick tutorials, “Day in the Life” videos
Twitter/XWriters, comic artists, engaging with fansSharing short story snippets, polls
PinterestLong-term traffic, selling prints & booksSEO-optimized pins linking to your shop
YouTubeIn-depth tutorials, vlogs, storytelling“How I wrote my novel” series

📌 Example: A watercolor artist uses:

  • Instagram – Daily art posts
  • TikTok – Timelapse painting videos
  • Etsy – Selling originals and prints

4. Promotion: How to Market Your Work Effectively

This is where most creatives focus—but promotion isn’t just about posting; it’s about strategic messaging.

Promotion Tactics for Social Media:

✅ Use the AIDA Model (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) in captions.
📌 Example:

  • “This painting took 40 hours. 👀 (Attention)
  • “I used a rare gold-leaf technique… (Interest)
  • “Imagine this as a statement piece in your home. (Desire)
  • “DM to claim it! (Action)”

✅ Run Giveaways – Boost engagement and reach.
📌 Example: “Win a free signed book! Like + follow + tag 2 friends to enter.”

✅ Collaborate with Other Creators – Cross-promotion expands your audience.
📌 Example: An author teams up with a bookstagrammer for a joint giveaway.

✅ Leverage Hashtags & SEO – Use niche-relevant tags like #IndieAuthor or #DigitalArtists.


5. People: Building Relationships with Your Audience

Your audience and community are your biggest asset. People buy from those they know and trust.

How to Engage Your Audience on Social Media:

✅ Reply to Comments & DMs – Builds loyalty.
✅ Share User-Generated Content (UGC) – Repost fan art or reviews.
📌 Example: A musician shares a fan’s cover of their song: “This gave me chills—thank you @fanaccount!”

✅ Go Live & Host Q&As – Makes you more relatable.
📌 Example: An author does a “Ask Me Anything About My Book” session.

✅ Personal Branding – People connect with you, not just your work. Share your personality!


6. Process: Streamlining Your Sales & Customer Experience

How easy is it for fans to buy from you? A smooth process reduces drop-offs.

Optimizing Your Sales Process on Social Media:

✅ Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs) – Tell people exactly what to do.
📌 Example: “Comment ‘BOOK’ to get the Amazon link!”

✅ Link in Bio Tools – Use Linktree or Beacons to direct traffic.
✅ Automated Responses – Set up quick replies for common DM inquiries.
✅ Pre-Order Systems – Helps gauge demand before production.

📌 Example: A jewelry maker uses Instagram’s “Swipe Up” feature in Stories to direct followers to their shop.


7. Physical Evidence: Proving Your Work’s Value

Since people can’t physically touch your product online, you need proof of quality.

How to Showcase Credibility on Social Media:

✅ Customer Testimonials – Screenshot and share positive reviews.
📌 Example: “Just got this 5-star review—thank you @happycustomer!”

✅ Unboxing Videos – Show your product’s quality in action.
📌 Example: A writer films themselves opening their paperback to showcase print quality.

✅ Certificates of Authenticity – Important for high-end art sales.


Putting It All Together: A 7P’s Social Media Strategy for Creatives

PAction Plan
ProductPost high-quality images, BTS content, and highlight USPs.
PriceUse tiered pricing, payment plans, and psychological pricing.
PlaceSell on Instagram Shop, Etsy, or your website.
PromotionUse AIDA, collaborations, and giveaways.
PeopleEngage with comments, share UGC, and go Live.
ProcessMake buying easy with clear CTAs and link tools.
Physical EvidenceShare testimonials, unboxings, and certificates.

📌 Example Post Using All 7P’s:
🎨 “My new fantasy art prints are here! (Product)
Only $25 for a limited time. (Price)
Available exclusively on my Etsy (link in bio). (Place)
Want one? First 10 buyers get a free sticker! (Promotion)
Thank you to everyone who supported my Kickstarter! (People)
DM ‘PRINT’ to order—I’ll send PayPal invoices. (Process)
Here’s what last month’s buyers said 👇 (Physical Evidence)**


Final Tips for Maximizing the 7P’s on Social Media

✔ Track Analytics – See which platforms and posts perform best.
✔ Stay Consistent – Post regularly to stay top of mind.
✔ Test & Adapt – Not every strategy will work—refine based on results.


Now It’s Your Turn!

The 7P’s aren’t just for big brands—they’re a game-changer for independent creatives.

Your Action Steps:

  1. Audit your current social media strategy—which P’s are you missing?
  2. Pick one P to improve this week (e.g., add more BTS content for Product).
  3. Comment below—which P do you struggle with most?

🚀 Ready to take your creative business to the next level? Start applying the 7P’s today!

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