There was no e-commerce 15 years ago, and social media was virtually nonexistent. Corporate and advertising commissions were the main source of income for unknown artists.
It completely changed the game to be able to sell your own art online.
Social selling and online businesses have thus become increasingly successful methods for autonomous specialists to independently subsidize their work and, in particular, to be able to sell their work directly to their niche audiences.
By sharing their work consistently and participating in online communities, new artists gain a dedicated following on social media.
Curators can still sell art even if they aren’t themselves artists. Agents, galleries, and other merchants handle the business side of their crafts on behalf of artists.
There are many ways to work with artists, from selling originals or prints to licensing their works to be printed on merchandise. The artist usually receives a commission for sold works.
1. As part of your career
There are many aspects to becoming a professional fine artist. All of us should know why we create art, how to find it, and how to establish our own creative style.
In addition to producing the best art we are capable of and sharing it with the world, we also need to know how to market ourselves and sell our work. Nevertheless, monetising artworks is one of the most taboo topics in the industry. The reason for this is that as artists, we often are unsure of how to sell art and market ourselves, price our works appropriately, and ultimately earn a living. This is why I wrote the guide with tips for artists who want to sell their art.
This article is an excellent read for anyone interested in pursuing a career in the fine arts! It is critical to form a great marketing and sales strategy if you know how it works.
2. Your art needs to be marketed and developed
It takes great discipline to be a professional artist despite the glitz and glamour that it brings. You need discipline, time, and effort. Besides learning how to sell art, an artist also needs to reach out to people through a personal message – whatever it may be. Making yourself more visible can help you accomplish that.
3. Security in terms of finances
Marketing and selling art are separate processes. Many artists fall into the trap of underpricing or overpricing their art because they base their pricing decisions on their emotions. While artworks are very personal, they become a product once they are sold. Your art patrons invest in you and the future artworks that you will produce when they purchase your work.
4. Research on the market
Reading articles that discuss how to gain exposure as a visual artist, identifying your target audience, and putting these steps into action involves educating yourself. Learn which of your works are well-received, and which ones do not. Observations are a key part of the learning process, so note them down and keep them for future reference. Make a note of who engages with your work on social media, inquires through galleries, and sends you direct messages or emails. Engage with them and learn what they like about your style, what sets your work apart, etc.
Moreover, determine what types of artwork are strong in the art market at the moment, and how you can incorporate your own style into this. Don’t compromise your style just for marketability. You need to strike a balance. As an artist, your uniqueness is what defines you.
5. Is selling art online the best way to do it?
Sell your art online by setting up a store on an eCommerce platform such as Shopify, or by creating an account on channels such as Etsy, Etsy, Instagram, Facebook Shops, etc. You should know who your ideal customers are, where and what kind of art they tend to purchase most frequently. To reach these customers and sell art online, you will have to determine which channel you should be using.
6. Is it profitable to sell art online?
Due to the multiple social media platforms and the ability to quickly set up an online store, selling art online has become easier. The challenge is to drive interested consumers towards making a purchase and increase visibility. You can make good money selling art online if you pay attention to your niche and who your ideal customers are and what kind of art they’re interested in! Overall, we have seen that artwork that is unique and stands out from the competition sells better.
7. What is the best way to price my art?
Because every piece of art requires a lot of work, you should pay yourself a reasonable hourly wage. Add materials to that amount and that is what you should ask for. On top of the asking price, add the profit margin you’d like to keep to get a selling price. Your marketing strategy will determine how much discount you want to offer. If necessary, you can adjust your price at any time.
8. What type of art sells the most?
When it comes to art, every consumer has different preferences. Traditionally painted landscapes, local views, seascapes, abstract landscapes, and quotes depicted in paintings are some of the more popular paintings on the web. Additionally, some photographers have sold their work online as art. Explore this market as well!
Sell your Art Online: Final Thoughts
There is nothing like selling your art online, but it does require a lot of learning and effort.
Spend at least one hour every week learning the ins and outs of online marketing.
Make a list of your goals, decide what platform you will use to display your work, and begin learning everything you can about digital marketing.
Each week, spend some time observing how to Sell your Art Online.
Also Read: Guide To Build An Effective Inventory Management System
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