In order to help other artists and myself, I am always on the hunt for great success stories of other creatives. Recently, one of my valued readers shared her success story with me.
After reading the popular FineArtTips.com post entitled, How to Sell Art on Facebook – One Artist’s Way, Kelli tried out some of these Facebook selling techniques herself and the results were phenomenal!
I am so grateful to have helped a fellow artist in some small way. Here is her social media success story:
Guest author/artist: Kelli Bickman
As an artist it goes without saying that there are times when one needs to be exceptionally creative to keep the wheels turning. I’ve painted signs for businesses, done murals in peoples homes and businesses, sold existing paintings to clients through gallery shows or online galleries, received private commissions, written grants for public art projects and done illustration for publications (to name a few).
That being said, I am always looking for more ways to promote and sell work because, of course, this is how I make my living.
A few months ago, I started looking to social networking to expand my client base. Â It is a great way to expand a business. Â Using facebook as my platform – this is how I did it…
- I uploaded several different galleries of my art.
- It made sense to me to break them down by price range, under $275, under $400 and under $1,500.  Although I have a large body of work in the $10,000 and up range.
- I decided to keep the prices to a minimum and offer small canvases and paper pieces that are easy to ship and are accessible to a wide range of people.
- I also made sure that the galleries were available to be viewed by everyone, not just friends and family.
If someone was interested in buying a painting they could PayPal the funds to my email address and put SOLD in the comments section.  I also offered 50% of the proceeds to help develop art programs for at-risk youth in my community, a project dear to my heart as I am also the director.
***After posting the images, I shared the portfolio with my friends and family and included personal messages to patrons who have purchased art from me in the past asking them to share my art and post it on their wall.
“Within 48 hours I had sold 7 paintings.” ~Kelli Bickman
It always feels great when paintings are sold because it keeps me on the path of creation.  I tell potential clients that buying art is a lot like buying stock (but, of course, always buy what you love).
The stock is in the art work but also in the artist’s career. As long as the artist continues to receive support and create new works of art, there is a good chance that their work will continue to appreciate in value. This is a win-win for everyone involved.
Many of my patrons continue to purchase work from me every year and have created substantial collections.  For me, once a painting leaves the studio it is out of my mind, but the client lives with it and enjoys it for many years to come.
Facebook, It is all about sharing after all.  Sharing images, creative ideas and information.
*****
Kelli Bickmanis a multi-media artist who’s colorful artworks can be seen in paintings, murals, portraits and illustrations . She grew up on a farm in Minnesota, studied art in Wisconsin and London and moved to the West Village of New York City in 1995. Her unique talent spans fine art and illustration. You can find Kelli on Facebook.
Thank you Kelli for sharing your social media success story here with us at FineArtTips.com! ~Lori
If you enjoyed this, you might like to read these articles:
Learn the Two Biggest Mistakes Artists Make with Social Media
5 Reasons Why Artists Need Social Media & Eye Opening Stats to Back it Up!
Top Paint Brush Tips from the Pros on Facebook
Newsletter Art Marketing Tips that Work!
7 Ways to Get Motivated in the Studio to Sell More Art
5 Common Traits of Successful Artists
Finding Your Own Artistic Voice
A Unique Approach Using Color Harmony to Improve Paintings
Use the Hidden Meaning of Color to Improve Paintings
Learn the Two Biggest Mistakes Artists Make with Social Media
Polular Posts
hi Lori, you find the coolest people! What an awesome example of using relationships to move/expose our work. Gotta love Facebook! Have a great weekend!
Thanks Marti! Yes, I have met a lot of really cool and inspiring people on Facebook, Twitter and this blog. Thanks for noticing! I really am glad you took time to comment.
Cheers-
Lori 🙂
I like the idea of making separate galleries by price range. Right now I have just one gallery photo album that is open to everyone but I don’t even have the prices listed! Seems stupid now but I thought I should be directing people to my website to buy. I have sold a painting as a result of putting up a photo on Facebook but I like the way Kelli’s approach is so direct. I’m selling, here’s the price, mark sold in the comments and send me the money! LOVE IT! Thanks for sharing.
I agree Athena. I have yet to try Kelli’s approach, but I will in the future.
Thanks for stopping by again for a comment.
Lori 🙂
This is a fabulous idea – however a word of caution – If you are NOT a major advertiser on FB you may run into trouble directly selling on FB. I am of the understanding that that is one of the big no-nos & if they find out they may suspend your FB account entirely. You may talk about your items on another site: FAA, Etsy, etc.
Granted there are about a billion people using FB, so they may never catch you, but they may.
Just sayin’.
Hi Susie-
Thanks for the heads-up! I have not heard of this before and will check into it further. Thanks for the comment and visit.
Lori 🙂
Hi Lori,
I appreciate your remarks concerning selling through FB. I too have wondered if direct selling is a No-no but I suppose if you just mention your gallery of art work for people to look at and contact information that might overcome the problem? I do have a photo gallery of my work on FB and a Fan page, but not that many go to the fan page – I get more followers all the time on my regular page, especially from other artists! I also have currently 148 followers on my blog, again, mostly other artists. Actually selling anything online has not happened even once, though. I sell through word-of-mouth from happy clients who already have my work or those who see my stuff in a show, but sales have been few and far between for the past two years. I send out a newsletter but getting people to sign up for the newsletter has been tricky – often they will write in my guest book how much they love my work and where they are from but do not put their email address and I don’t like to push.
Thanks also for following me now on Twitter! Nice surprise although I don’t actually Twitter much:-)
Karen
Hello Karen, I am embarrassed to say that I just noticed your unanswered comment! I appreciate your feedback and am glad you are blogging. It is a process and labor of love, just like art. Keep it up and they will come.
Cheers,
Lori
Hi Lori,
what an imense knowledge and practice you have with social networking and the way you do your marketing. 🙂 I find it very great! And I think people could and should better appreciate your ability to help other artists, then to leave comments here which critisize you. I´m now just a beginner and started not long ago with networking. I find it not easy at the beginning, have to get more practice with it. And it takes a lot of time, when at the beginning all is new. I´m artist painter since 2001 and I´m having my atelier in a romantic little town, Wissembourg in France since december 2011. I hope to get forward and to make a better marketing and to find continous gallery representation for me. I´m happy that people as you share what they know about art business. Best Regards. Coco
Hello Coco, and please accept my apologies for the belated reply. I have been so busy this summer, and I am behind on comments! I truly appreciate your kind words. I am envious of your atelier experience and would love to hear more about it! How wonderful. How long is the program? I would love to do that one day. I wish you the best.
Lori
Dear Lori,
It is always wonderful to read your stories and the tips you provide are very useful. I too am a struggling artist…pls do visit my blog and appreciate your advice/comments. Keep going!!
Dear Lori,
Thanks for posting this, it really makes sense and has given me ideas on how to approach selling myself differently.
Keep up the good work.
Jesse
Hello Jesse, I’m glad to hear this post has given you some new ideas. Let me know how it works for you!
Hi Lori.. Great advise thank you for all the info on selling art. any other ideas or input on my type of art is very much appreciated…Creative-pics Studio on FB.
Gabino.
Happy to hear this!