My friends at Meylah.com have shared many popular guest articles on the business of art, blogging and selling your artwork. I hope you enjoy this savvy little post.
5 Tips for Selling Your Artwork
Guest author: Courtney Dirks of Meylah
Making the decision to sell your artwork is part of the natural progression of shifting from just a painter to a committed artist and savvy business owner. Getting started can be tough so here are 5 sales tips for you to mull over, whether you’re just starting out or if you’ve been selling your artwork for ages:
1. When it comes to selling online, if you have products that you haven’t listed yet, post them soon!
- You’re only half way there when a product is created; the 2nd half is getting the product in front of the customers’ eyes.
2. Block out the day before you have any big engagements (shows, speaking events, etc.) to take rest and wrap up odds and ends so you have energy left to get through the event.
3. Put some thought into the way you organize your products at shows, events, or in retail settings.
- When your items are grouped in a complimentary manner, it helps to tell a story of what you’ve created and will likely result in increased sales!
4. Make sure to jot down notes immediately after any events where your business is being showcased to capture your thoughts on what worked well and what you’d like to adjust for similar engagements in the future.
5. Don’t give up! If you aren’t making many sales, don’t let it get you down.
- Analyze what you can do to drive additional sales and focus you’re efforts on making the changes you need to drive results.
What words of wisdom do you have for selling your work and staying positive?
*****
***Meylah provides artists, crafters, photographers and other artisans with their own online store and powerful tools so they can sell their products anytime, anyplace…easily. If you are looking for a way to sell your art online, I hope you check them out! ~Lori
PS. Let’s meet on Facebook and Twitter!
If you enjoyed this article, you might like these:
3 Reasons to Start a Creative Blog for Your Business
Branding You: 5 Ways to Improve Your Professional Image
Inbound or Outbound: Which Direction is Your Art Marketing Going?
Why You Need a Webmaster for Your Art Business
The Importance of Being an Artist in Today’s Modern World
Easy Steps: Add a Newsletter Sign-Up to Your Facebook Fan Page
How to Create a Powerful Art Portfolio
How to Give Your Blog Post Artistic “Sex Appeal”
A Customized Storefront Blog for Artists & Creative Entrepreneurs
Lori thanks for the encouraging post.
Here are four personal axioms regarding making, marketing and selling art:
1. Art is foremost. I need to put in the work and make the best art I can.
2. People are people. Collectors, gallery owners, curators – they’re all people who appreciate respect and personal connection.
3. All of my marketing efforts should show off my artwork in its best possible light, and associate value with it.
4. Some things are not worth my time. (It’s okay to say “No” sometimes.)
Hello Brennen-
Thanks for the double comments! These are great additions to this post. I am really needing to focus on your #1 suggestion. Blogging has become a big part of my life, and a surprise that I didn’t plan. However, my art needs to take the front seat. Thanks for the gentle reminder!
Lori
I have been a professional fine artist for 30 years. If you want to sell paintings – paint for the BUYERS! Subject and colors are very important. Enjoy every new challenge!
Hello Jan,
Yes, painting for the market does help to sell paintings, especially during this challenging time. However, it takes the heart and soul out of the artist at times too. I think there is a happy balance to it all.
Thank you for sharing-
Lori
I agree with you Lori… to paint for anyone but yourself takes the heart and soul out of the artist; it kind of defeats the purpose of painting. Having said that, I constantly struggle between the two, and a happy balance is often the outcome. Sometimes I wonder what my work would be like, if I painted exclusively for myself.
Either way, Brennan has a good point; art is foremost. Good reminder to all of us!
Andrea