The Woman Who Sold The Sun: History's Greatest Marketing Campaign
When Vincent van Gogh died, he left behind a widow, a baby, and 400 unsold paintings crammed into a tiny Paris apartment. Most would have seen a burden. His sister-in-law, Johanna van Gogh, saw a legacy waiting to be unleashed. She didn't have a big budget or a massive platform. She had a story. Her "Marketing Campaign" was built on three powerful pillars: 1. The Relentless Nurture: She didn't just store the paintings. She organized exhibitions, one by one, writing to curators, critics, anyone who would listen. She was the ultimate "content creator," consistently shipping the message of Vincent's genius. 2. The Compelling Narrative: She published Vincent's heartfelt letters to his brother Theo. She didn't just sell art; she sold the story—the passion, the struggle, the profound love behind every brushstroke. She made people feel the man behind the masterpieces. 3. The Unshakable Belief: In a world that saw chaos, she saw beauty. Her conviction was her currency. She held a vision for his work that no one else could see, and she held it until the world finally saw it too. Within a few years of his death, the art world that had ignored Vincent was now celebrating him. The "failed" artist became immortal. Johanna’s campaign reminds us: The most powerful marketing isn't about shouting the loudest. It's about believing the deepest, nurturing consistently, and telling a story so true it changes the way people see. She took what was overlooked and made it unforgettable. What's a story only YOU can tell about your work? Share one below. 👇 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRhf4WOjIXY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== 🚀 QUICK POLL: Founders, I need your vote! 🚀 If I brought in a storytelling expert to host a short mastermind session to help everyone craft their powerful, magnetic founder story... (free session) Would you be seriously interested? (We need 10 yes minimum)