You have finally made up your mind to be an artist – to translate your hobbies and inspiration into a business plan. Well done for getting to this point, it is the beginning of a very interesting journey. Like any business, selling your paintings is not an easy task and it involves strategizing, hard work, and dedication. Here is some useful information on going through the process of starting your art business.
The process of defining your niche and the ideal client must be initiated by the company.
To begin with, one should consider what sort of art one intends to sell or to whom. Discern where you best fit within the broad art and creative industries. For instance, do you paint, take or illustrate photographs or are you a sculptor? Are you does it as a profession or a hobby do you paint landscapes, portraits, still life, abstract art or something else? Concentrating on a specific area also aids in attracting collectors who are interested in the special style of the painting together with the topic of the painting.
After choosing your specialization, doing some investigation to understand who your perfect kind of client is. Some of the ways in which art buyers can be categorized can be through interior designers, galleries, collectors, hotels, restaurants, companies, and others. All have specific interests, amount of money they are willing to spend and the manner in which they buy works of art, and therefore focusing on them can effectively and efficiently allocate marketing dollars.
Establish an online presence
Artists who wish to sell their artwork must adapt to the current internet-based market. Create a collection of projects and documents that are the best and maintain a website where clients can access them. Cite even the pictures and illustrations, the title of the image or illustration, its dimensions, the mediums used and the prices. Remember to update the portfolio as you produce other works of art by adding them.
Also, artists need to have an online presence in addition to the website; some of the prominent platforms where artists sell their artworks include Etsy, Artsy, and Saatchi Art, where art consumers have access to thousands of artists in one platform. Instagram is a popular platform, where artists promote their work and create sales too, as well as Facebook.
Price Your Artwork Thoughtfully
Pricing your original art pieces and prints is one of the hardest challenges that artists have when trying to sell their artwork. Of course, you have to set a price that will be high enough to cover costs and to make a profit to support your artistic career. But at the same time if the price is set too high people actually won’t buy the product because they do not consider it valuable enough. The aim here is to look for that middle ground where the work you are offering is not undervalued while also not overpriced.
Consult the market prices of artwork similar in the style, quality, size, and medium to price it. Originally artwork is bought at 50%- 60% commission by the galleries. It should also be noted that you should include your costs and time taken into the cost. It is advisable to leave a certain amount of freedom in the question of pricing so that the galleries interested in cooperation can propose more favorable conditions. Sell them signed and numbered prints at a lower price-point for a limited time only also to capture the market of art lovers who are ready to purchase art but perhaps at a more affordable price range.
Market Yourself Locally
Start local! For new artists especially, a good way to get your work out there is by doing community art fairs, open studios, and flash exhibits. These are chances to show the work and offer it to the public to purchase or hire it. Other places include the local coffeeshops, boutiques, and even art supply stores, where many of the artists sell their paintings on consignment.
Engage with other artists and creatives in the local area and use their works to promote to one another. Collaborate with interior designers, decorators or event planners or architects who might endorse or hire your artwork for their projects. In fairness, do you recall the exchange of business cards, and the subsequent follow-up? The advantage of building these local affiliations is that they ultimately translate into referrals, word-of-mouth customers, and sales.
Approach Galleries and Retailers
It is however important to note that although the end consumer is an important sales client, your major revenue sales come from Galleries, Design Retailers and decorators. Compile a directory of local galleries or boutiques that showcase works of emerging artists. Search for information regarding its selectiveness and compare with the kind of art that it has showcased or auctioned before.
When you are introducing yourself to a potential retailer and seeking their support, be sure to present a professional portfolio and drop off some of your pieces. Do not stray from the guidelines that the gallery has set into submission! Continuously communicate and follow up if, at some point, they show interest in your products or services. It is important to establish rapport with gallery owners; this may take time but is rewarded with representation. Even being placed in one boutique gallery reaches so many more potential collectors than hanging in our small basement gallery.
Consider Consignment and Licensing
Another method of making sales is offering artwork on consignment this is especially useful when an artist first begins to sell their artwork. In this case the consignment, the artist gets a agreed portion of the money made from the art piece. This enables retailers to sell articles of work without necessarily investing in stock by purchasing the commodities. Introduce themselves to a few local stores as opposed to the fancy art galleries that sell paintings to check whether to consign some pieces.
Licensing artwork for commercial use (ex: selling postcards or the print on other products like t-shirts, posters, prints also offer revenues to the artists without necessarily having to involve retailers buying original pieces. Most companies seek design work online portfolios and art licensing agencies business organization. With this route, you are able to own it and get royalties as well at the same time.
Explore Corporate Sales
Do not forget about the art buyers in corporations such as hotels, restaurants, offices, hospitals, and facilities for the elderly. Sometimes large quantities are bought at a time which means a number of pieces at a given time, attractive to corporate buyers. Any interior designer dealing with corporate projects also always requires art to hang on the walls. There is always an honor in being featured. Promote this business through mailing, emails, cold calling and sending out catalogs. Negotiate for a lower price per offer or create an individual commission offer as well.
Promote Your Art Consistently
There is one key rule that should never be violated – it is consistency when promoting arts or creative small business. Planning would involve creating an editorial calendar for the company’s social media accounts and its blogging and email newsletters. Share information and posts frequently on Instagram, Facebook, and any other selected social media. To possibly connect with collectors, use hashtags and paid advertisement. Continue to send out follow-up letters via email regarding new pieces and shows to clients who have previously purchased pieces from the artist. Also include the recent and upcoming projects and indication of an open studio. Public relations such as getting press coverage assist in legitimizing the service hence, extend your press coverage actively at least in local newspapers.
Marketing, selling, accounting and production are among the many areas where a creative artist has to be committed in order to make a living off his or her talents. However, by concentrating energies on the channels listed above, gradually over time, it’s possible to erect the collector base and grow practicing the activity that the individual loves. So just keep this in mind – but be passionate about the art first. The business and sales success will follow. For instance, McDonaldization of clients through standardized, efficient, and rational methods of doing things leads to success in business and sales.