The recent pandemic has hit everyone hard, and that includes those in the art industry. Gone are the days of gallery representation and pop-up shops — and who knows when they will return.
Artists have been forced to find other ways to get commissions on their artwork. If you’ve been at a bit of a crossroads as to your next steps, or you’re not quite sure how to go about selling your art from home, don’t worry. You’re not alone.
While this “new normal” has pushed us all into uncharted territory, you can still run a successful art business.
We’ve put together five ways to sell your art from home so you can keep doing what you love — from home.
Post Your Art Online
The very first thing you should do is list your art online. Several options will only require a few minutes of your time to set up an account. Websites like Etsy and Etsy’s artsy cousin ArtPal can get you started.
These websites can be easily linked to your other online profiles, and create an easy, streamlined way for potential customers to view and order your art. One of the best ways to bring in new clientele is to have existing customers leave reviews and testimonials.
It’s not uncommon for people to pick one business over another simply based on the reviews. If your page has overwhelmingly positive reviews, people will be more likely to trust you.
Art For Your Cause helps to empower artists by promoting their work in our online marketplace. You’ll be able to gain exposure and support great causes at the same time. People will be able to purchase your artwork on shirts, cups, mugs, necklaces, etc.
Click here to sign up and start sharing your work.
Make Good Use of Social Media
We can’t stress the importance of social media enough. There are a variety of social media sites that you can use to grow your business.
While you do want to use your social media account to sell your artwork, it’s important to let people see who is behind the screen. As we stated earlier, getting people to trust you is imperative to having a successful brand.
While people may follow you initially for your artwork, they stick around for the artist. People want to see what goes on behind the scenes and where the magic happens. Of course, everyone is different, and you’ll need to decide how much of your life you’re comfortable sharing.
If your followers feel a connection to you, they’ll be more likely to purchase your art. They can rest assured that their money is going towards a person that they know and love; they might even recommend you to their friends and family.
Instagram is one of the easiest social media platforms to use, and great for artists due to its photo centered nature. If you’re relatively new to the world of social media, here is a guide to getting started on Instagram.
Create A Solid Website
After creating an online presence, you’ll want to create your website. With galleries now out of the picture, you’ll need a central place for people to find and purchase your art. Although social media is great to build your brand, it should be used as a way to bring more traffic to your site.
A website is a way to show your aesthetic and can help you stand out from the competition. Although many websites allow you to use their templates for free, it will be worth your while to look into designing your own. This will make sure that you are easily distinguishable from other artists.
Having a website that includes your name also makes it easier for people to find you online. While “artistname.websiteservice.com” isn’t awful, having a short and sweet domain name is always better.
However, having a website isn’t enough. Regularly posting on your blog will help you move up in Google’s algorithm. If you have regular visits to your site, Google will be more likely to recognize it, and you’ll move up in search engine results.
Play Nice With Interior Designers
Do you know any interior designers? No? Then the next thing you need to do is try to meet some. Find an interior designer online and make them your best friend. They are constantly on the lookout for new art pieces, which gives you the potential for a returning customer.
Don’t be afraid to be proactive! Use your social media accounts to find interior designers in your area, and then shoot them a message. Include a little blurb about who you are and what you do. You can even send a few photos of a few pieces you think they might like to pique their interest.
Connecting with interior designers is particularly important for new artists. Why? Simply put, interior designers don’t care about how many years of experience you have. If the client likes your artwork and it fits with the home, that’s all that matters.
Utilize Email Lists
Once you have your website, you can start asking people for their emails. You’ve most likely seen this done on retail websites to send you deals and promotions. While you may not take advantage of every sale, the repeat emails keep the company in the back of your mind,
Creating an email list can do the same. As long as you don’t flood their inbox with unwanted messages, having emails increases your chance of repeat customers.
You might have to provide an incentive for them to give out their email, and there are a couple of ways you can do this. You could offer a small discount on their first order, or you could provide them with a link to exclusive content.
The point of the email list is to build a relationship with possible clients. Even if after signing up they don’t purchase anything immediately, they’ll be reminded of you every time they open their email. When they’re ready to buy some artwork, you’ll be first on their list.
