Knowing how to sell your art will help you learn how to attract customers, as well as become familiar with the commercial side of art. If you are a novice seller, don't feel overwhelmed; you don't need a fashionable agent or a definitive masterpiece to sell your artwork. Follow these tips to pay off all your hard work.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Make yourself known
Step 1. Print business cards and promotional flyers
Distribute them at local galleries and art fairs.
- Ask local vendors if you can leave them some of your business cards or post a flyer on their message boards. Consider contacting vendors who may have the appropriate clientele for your jobs.
- Advertise your work at local restaurants and shops as well. This will allow you to attract people of all kinds.
Step 2. Talk about your art with friends, family and co-workers
The people closest to you are your biggest supporters. Let your friends, family and colleagues know that you are selling your art.
Show them some of your favorite pieces, so they can convey first-hand information about what you sell. Remember to give them some of your promotional material as well, so they can circulate your contact information
Step 3. Exhibit your art at a local fair
Many cities host several art fairs throughout the year. Research the various options and decide which, or which, would be most appropriate for the type of art you want to sell.
- For example, if you plan to sell paintings, go to a fair that focuses specifically on paintings.
- Know that you usually have to pay to have a booth at these trade shows, but consider it as a small investment in your business. You will recover this sum as soon as you have sold some of your works.
Step 4. Take your art to interested patrons
If you know people who might be attracted to your work, have a small reception at your home or at one of them.
You could even organize a private exhibit for just a handful of guests. Some people are more likely to attend an intimate event like this than an art fair. Ask all the guests to bring a guest and, even in this case, you will expand your customer base simply by word of mouth
Part 2 of 3: Create a Network of Contacts in Your Area
Step 1. Hold a local exhibition at an art gallery to showcase your work
Art galleries host events to showcase the works of new artists and this can help make you known in the art world.
- Local galleries benefit from loyal and constant art lovers, making them ideal places to build a circle of followers. While you won't attract the attention of important people in the art world, you will make your name known to people who may know others who are more influential in this field.
- These galleries also tend to have an established network of art promoters who love to support budding artists. Being usually small galleries, they tend to pay particular attention to individual artists. In addition, they will focus on bringing interested collectors; practically advertising for your work.
- While galleries are great for exhibitions, know that you are not limited to them for exhibiting your work. Cafes, office lobbies, schools, and other places of business often host small exhibitions of local talent - a great way to showcase your art to casual art aficionados. Remember: not everyone goes to art galleries, but everyone goes for a coffee every now and then.
- You will likely have to share a portion of the profit with the gallery. It's helping you get your name on the market, which comes at a cost. Do not worry; this is a small price to pay to be able to make your work known.
Step 2. Go to your fellow artists' exhibitions and art events
Showing support to your colleagues can prove invaluable when it comes to organizing your show. It will also be a source of once-in-a-lifetime business opportunities and information.
- Remember that selling your artwork depends on who you know. Most cities have a local art association that promotes and manages art events and exhibitions. These associations are known for giving funding to local artists, in exchange for their participation in community projects or other activities.
- Your arts community may have a website on which they post regular job opportunities or small-scale commissions. It could also promote local exhibitions and performances. Keep up to date with these local news media to find lucrative opportunities.
Step 3. Get in touch with local businesses
In addition to enthusiasts and promoters, some companies also like to be known for their support of art.
- It is not uncommon for artists to be invited to events to create a network of contacts. Try attending these events organized by local businesses and hand out your business cards. You may be contacted later for an interesting project.
- A company may also need help decorating offices, or request artwork as prizes for their sweepstakes. If you advertise enough, you may even find jobs as a website and product designer that need to create a specific image for yourself.
Step 4. Write or email radio stations, newspapers and other publications in your area
Tell the local press about your exhibitions and ask who you need to contact to get editorial coverage in the local newspaper.
- Local media love to post features on profiles of unique characters in the area. Since artists are often associated with terms like "unique" and "special", it will make sense for journalists and bloggers to write your own story.
- Whenever you hold an exhibition, win an art contest or complete a new project, send a small press release to the local media. You could also offer them free tickets to your exhibition.
- Don't be intimidated by reporters. They are ordinary people like you and me, and they may want to highlight an emerging talent. Being present in the local media will help you stay in sight in the eyes of the local community.
Step 5. Partner with a local charity to showcase your artwork
Having your name associated with charitable, non-profit endeavors can introduce you to the community as a trustworthy and recognizable name. This will bring you profitable opportunities.
- Find a charity whose work truly inspires you and partner with it. For example, if you love to paint dogs, get in touch with an animal shelter and volunteer for their next event, free of charge. You could also donate artwork to their raffle or offer to decorate their business premises.
- Most local charities already have a relationship with the media. Helping is not only a good deed, but it could also get your name to end up in those media. Contributing to the community is essential to building a loyal fan base that will continue to purchase and support your art.
- In November 2013, the Philippines was hit by a devastating typhoon in which millions of homes were destroyed. Wells Fargo launched a charity campaign in which she would donate $ 3 for each traced and decorated handprint she received. Many local artists took the opportunity to show their support and showcase their art in an altruistic way.
Step 6. Sell your artwork online In the digital age, most business transactions take place on the computer.
Visit the following websites to display your art easily and at a low cost.
- Artpal.com is a free gallery for the sale of works of art. Their advertised products range from sculptures to jewelry, catering to a broad spectrum of artists. Artpal is free to join, has an easy to use website (in English), and offers many features to sell your art online.
- Advertise your artwork on popular online storefronts like eBay. You will only have to pay the shipping costs and you will come to attract a wide range of consumers. If enough people buy your work, your articles can be linked to other popular items and listed as "See what others are keeping an eye on".
- Make a bid on Craigslist.com. This site, and Rome.craigslist.it to sell in Italy, advertise a wide range of things, from job opportunities to used electronics items. Showcasing and selling your work to casual consumers will help you gain trust and make a profit, while trying to get an exhibition locally.
Part 3 of 3: Keeping in Touch with Customers
Step 1. Register a website or blog on your domain
Selling works of art means learning to sell oneself. Once you've built a small following, give your fans a place to learn more about you and your work.
Use social media like Facebook or Twitter to connect people to your website. That way, your followers will know they can always be contacted on the site, regardless of online trends that come and go
Step 2. Get the names and contact information of all your supporters
Now that you've sold or exhibited your work, establish a means of maintaining communication with important people in the art world.
- Storing the names and information of supporters and investors could be your most powerful marketing tool. Make sure you have a way to communicate your upcoming exhibitions. Get phone numbers, email addresses and even postal addresses.
- Avoid to sell your works through other channels, if you have already entered into an agreement with an art gallery. Many art galleries are reluctant to share their contact information, primarily because they fear artists will sell behind their backs.
- Be persistent in trying to reach new potential customers. It may take many tries before you find someone willing to sell your works.
Step 3. Make a mailing list of all your local contacts and customers
Whenever you make new works of art or hold an exhibition, tell your mailing list.
- Remember to ask your customers for permission to contact them. You want to provide them with useful updates, not junk mail.
- Contact your customers personally whenever you have new artwork available, or when someone buys a piece from you. Send letters expressing gratitude for purchasing your art. Remember that a person who bought your work expressed a sincere interest and made an investment in you. If you can't keep in touch with customers after the first purchase, you can be rude and indifferent.
Step 4. Offer your loyal supporters special benefits and rewards
Once you have a stable following, determine which of your fans are your constant supporters. Give them special treatment, such as the opportunity to connect with you and be the first to purchase your work.
- If you paint murals, offer a free small portrait to your fans. If you make t-shirts, send some of them for free in the mail. Show your supporters that your passion for art extends beyond money, and they may reciprocate this concept.
- Remember that customers are the foundation of a loyal fan base. They have already shown that they want to support you and appreciate your work. Show them that you appreciate their support and interest by offering special treatment that most of your fans don't get.
- Remember that your best customers aren't limited to a particular group of individuals. This number will inevitably grow along with your following. Don't be stingy with special benefits; your goal is to get as many people back to get more.
Step 5. Organize frequent lunches or dinners with current and potential clients
Establishing social relationships with your investors beyond the world of art and business is as important as building a base of loyal supporters.
- Let your investors get to know you on a personal level. Sometimes, familiarizing yourself with an artist's personality offers an interesting insight into his work.
- Don't be afraid to recommend your fellow artists to investors - who knows, maybe they'll return the favor and recommend you to someone in the future.
