subject: Getting your Artwork Sold [print this page] Ask people about artists and they will say that most of them are skint but will probably make a few quid when they are dead. So what to do about changing this mindset?
To make money with your art, it needs to have a certain quality, be available in a certain quantity and needs to be consistent. That means you must narrow your art down to what you are best at, and when people look at a piece of your art, they immediately think of you and your style. And when your creation is finished think of it as a commodity rather than a piece of you. This focuses the mind on sales.
Broadly speaking it is about supply and demand. Alot of people depend on artists for their living. Think about it - galleries, museums, retail outlets, curators, insurers, publishers, art material suppliers etc etc....they all cream off the artist at some point.
So to start with you have to get yourself known and get the word out in as many ways as possible.
1. Network by joining art communities on and offline, artist groups and museums. Pick peoples brains and get the most out of other peoples experiences.
2. Have your own website to promote your art. Everyone can see your work and can contact you. When you meet people give out a business card. Talk is cheap and easily forgotten but a business card can jolt the memory. Word of mouth is always a cheap advertising medium (remeber good and bad news travels fast though). Any email addresses that you collect are a useful tool for marketing new work to existing contacts.
3. Enter competitions. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Use any honors and awards you receive to gain publicity and greater exposure for your work.
4. I personally have found asking the owners of cafes, shops and restaurants to display your art for a small commission on any resulting sales to be a complete and utter waste of time. However, a stall at local art fairs and shows are lucrative if your product is priced to sell - if you know what I mean, you will not get gallery prices!
5. Look for galleries that look like they mean business and look like they need diversity in the form of your work. Sell yourself and you will be hanging on the wall. In my experience of galleries it is all about you the artist and a little about your work. Galleries are great but they want their pound of flesh. They will look for up to a 50% commission and beware of hidden costs. Insurance and any additional framing, presentation or marketing costs may be passed on to the artist.
6. There are other places to sell your work. Online Art Houses and Ebay. But again you are competing with thousands of other peices. Chances are you will never be found.
7. Better to have an open studio one day a week or month. Stick some signage out on the street and see who walks in. Probably alot of browsers but you never know.
Be Confident in yourself. Even when you think your art is "shit" don't let other people know that you think that.
