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You should sell your art... Online!
You’re an artist who creates because it’s your passion, and selling has never really been your motivation. But, art supplies are expensive and you kinda like the idea of funding your next piece with the sale of your last. Why not set up a Shopify or Etsy account to simplify your sales experience and declutter your studio? Not all artists are in it for the fame and glory, and you’d rather hide behind a computer screen than shake hands at gallery openings and chit chat at Farmers’ Markets. You’re here to create — for expression, for therapy, for meditation.In fact, the idea of talking about your art and creative process is enough to send you running to your brightly lit studio to hide behind your stockpile of completed pieces.By creating an online store to sell your artwork, you can skip the people part almost completely, only having to interact with the world when it’s time to actually ship your masterpieces to their new homes. And even that can probably be made No Contact these days.Just take some high quality photos of your work, list, and sell! There’s a bit more to it than that, clearly, but once the framework is laid your art shop will run like clockwork, and you’ll be free to spend your time and energy in the studio, creating more art to sell to more of your online following. You can even generate art sales through your already existing social media accounts like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok!Here are some tips to help your Online gallery win Best In Show...When online presence is such a large part of successful sales, it’s important to get it right from the beginning. Spend some time creating consistent branding, cultivating a professional but engaging voice, and targeting your ideal audience, and you’ll be able to establish yourself as a professional artist in a world of hobby crafters and Marketplace spammers.“Art is not just a thing; with every purchase, the buyer also receives a piece of your creative spirit.” — Carolyn EdlundWhere Art Meets BusinessHere are 3 Things to Get Clear on Before you Even Think about Selling Your Art1. First things firstBranding. Yes, you’re an amazing artist, but people who have never met you before need to see who you are as clearly as possible before they’ll ever take a look at your gallery. You may have created a business logo for yourself and put it on a card to hand out to potential customers, but true branding goes way beyond just a logo. As an artist, when establishing your brand, it’s important to considering the following:What is your mission?What style of art do you create?What value does your art offer?How is your customer service?What is the quality of your product?What are your policies?What do customers already think about your business?Always remember, branding for artists starts with art and a signature.Click here for your free guide on How To Create a Logo on Wordpress 2. Create a Cohesive Body of WorkAnyone who runs any type of product based business knows that you’ve gotta have inventory. If you want a successful business selling your unique creations, you’re going to want to have a variety of options for people to choose from. You can even go one step further and offer bespoke commission pieces for the more particular collectors in your audience.Click here for 10 Tips for Photographing Your Art For Your Online Shop.3. Work that Social Media!What does the art world love more than a good Banksy scandal?Following their favorite artists as they create before their very eyes!From process videos, to art supply hauls, people want these small peeks into how you create the pieces that speak to their souls. So invite them in!Share your techniques on Insta stories, create a viral TikTok, engage in art groups on Facebook, and Pin the heck out of your gorgeous artwork. I think you’ll be surprised at how much inspiration you’ll get from engaging with your audience. #DontMindTheTrolls #TheyCantPaintAnywaysYou can even click here for Sell Your Art On Pinterest 101, a guide to get your posts Pinned the most.Here's a tip to create brand awareness online: Start a blog to share your art and your own thoughts about your process. People love to know more about the artists they admire, and the more they feel like they know you, the more they’ll want to support you. From Studio to SOLD!Hey there, fellow artist! I'm Leo Michaels, gallery owner, artist agent, and online art sales coach. My specialty is teaching artists how to be confident in business, so they can successfully sell their art. I'm an expert at taking small studio artists and nurturing them into household names with loyal followers. More than just a sales facilitator, I help artists create a community that supports their passion. I've worked with top renowned galleries around the world, and have been featured in several issues of “Artpreneur” magazine. One thing I’ve found is that connection sells more art than any advertisement ever will. 🎨IN THE GALLERY🎨Check out these resources to get in the game!1. Wanna see what's hot and new in the art world? Follow me on Instagram. I feature up and coming artists and share tips and tricks on how to engage with your audience. Every Monday, I go live for a Q&A for everything Art and sales related. 2. Love to listen to something inspiring while you're creating? Listen to my Podcast interview on The Art Of The Sale. I share my straight-forward ways to overcome your business pitfalls and natural creative chaos. I also spill my favorite industry shortcuts learned over decades in the art world. Plus, you'll get my golden tips for breaking out of obscurity and building a successful art business!3. Want guidance on your journey to becoming a successful, top selling artist? Book a call with me. I have a knack for helping creative people find their business niche, whether it be online or real world. In just twenty minutes, I can help you get clear on where your ideal audience is and how you can reach them. Operation: Artistic CreationNow that you've got some insight into how you should get your art out into the world, check your inbox for your quiz results. You'll also get my printable guide to finding your brand voice.Over the next week, I'll be sharing more tips for you to organize your inventory, create your business plan, and take the art world by storm. I want your masterpieces to find their forever homes so you can keep doing what you do best — creating more art! 🖌Art is passion you can share with strangers🖌