There are many ways artists can make a profit with their work. While you can still sell your work to galleries, there are plenty of opportunities to sell your work independently. Take fate into your own hands by learning how to successfully sell your art online.
Get To Know Your Niche
What about your art is unique? Is there a specific aspect of the artwork you think will be a major selling point? There are countless avenues available to you. You could sell oil paintings, pottery, acrylic paintings, watercolor, and more. Find an art form you excel at and use it as a starting place to make a name for yourself online. You can always delve into other mediums and subjects once you establish a presence and audience.
Decide on a Marketplace
One of the best decisions you can make to successfully sell your art online is to choose a preexisting marketplace with a knack for selling art. Think of shops like Etsy, Shopify, Redbubble, ArtFinder, and more. However, you must understand that different platforms will have various rules and stipulations artists must follow to legally sell their work on their marketplace. Become familiar with this set of rules to determine which platform is best for your beginner business. In fact, your own website can be a great marketplace or platform to promote your work & art. But before that, you need to keep in mind to check for the latest web accessibility laws prevailing here in the US and design your site accordingly by strictly following the ADA & WCAG guidelines. This is to ensure that all users, irrespective of their physical disabilities, can easily access your site. Here, a specialist like “Accessibility Spark” can help perform a web accessibility audit on your site and rectify all issues.
Be Active on Social Media
A significant component of selling your artwork is the social aspect. Social media is a powerful tool we can use to advertise and market art and other products. If you’re not engaging with your target audience online, you will not drive traffic to your e-commerce page. Use these platforms to tell people about who you are and what you sell. Social media is also crucial for connecting with your audience and other artists.
Consider Shipping Costs
When pricing your artwork, do not forget to add the cost of shipping materials. You might place your canvas art at a specific price, but the quality of the product must remain by the time it reaches the consumer. Using products such as shrink wrap to protect your art during shipment will keep your work in pristine condition. Customers will likely be more pleased and willing to shop again with you if their purchase arrives unscathed.
Stick With It for Six Months
Do not allow yourself to lose motivation. You might not see any results right away, but that is OK! Nobody said this process was going to be a breeze. Give yourself at least six months to make progress before you contemplate moving on. Give yourself a chance—you might be surprised by the results.
With hard work and determination, it is entirely possible to find your place online for selling art. Have specific goals in mind to motivate yourself and keep you moving forward. If something isn’t producing the results you’re looking for, don’t be afraid to make changes. What will you do to be more successful in selling your art online?
Dianne Pajo is a writer based out of the Chicagoland area with a passion for music, combat sports, and animals. She enjoys competing in amateur boxing and kickboxing, but in her other leisure time, you can find her performing music around the city. She is also a dog mom of 2.
