sell your paintings

Many artists sell work themselves out of their studio, online, at co-operative galleries, or even at one of the thousands of art fairs that are so popular.Im an artist and my7 paintings are below

But just because you are an artist, doesn’t mean that you know how to sell your work. In fact most artists really struggle with sales and marketing and face consistent disappointment.

When I meet artists, one of the first questions I ask is “How do you sell your art?”

I am often surprised by the ingenuity of the answers. But the truth is, the most common response is a sad face followed by the response, “I don’t sell my art.”

This is a problem.

I am going to break down the question of how to sell your art by using the 5 W’s – you’ll remember these basic rules for sharing information from grade school: Who, What, Where, When, and Why and How.

Who

Who should you sell your art to? Most artists don’t give this question nearly as much consideration as they should, which is a shame because the answer to this question is key to success.

Who is your ideal audience? If your answer is “everybody,” then I urge you to try again, to go deeper. Have you had sales in the past? Take a long look at who has bought your work, what are their common denominators?

Does your work appeal to a group of people with a common interest, like those concerned with environmental issues, for example, or spiritual imagery, or cats, or whatever your subject matter is? What is your ideal client interested in and how can you use your work to intersect with them?

Are they seasoned art buyers, serious collectors focusing on those with a proven museum exhibition record? Or do they buy impulsively, much more drawn to pictures that speak to them on an emotional level? Each of these buyers will be found at very different venues.

Maybe your ideal customer isn’t a private collector at all? Perhaps your work is better suited for public art projects? Or corporate collections? Or maybe your work is very graphic and can capture the elusive online buyers? Try drawing a fully fleshed outline of one or two of your ideal clients. Who are they? What do they do? How much do they earn? Where do they work? Spend their spare-time? What do they read and watch? Imagine their decision-making process when they actually do buy a piece of art.

If you are asked to participate in an art fair or to join a gallery’s stable, take a moment before you agree. Ask yourself - Is this really a good opportunity for you? Will your ideal client be there? If not, you could be wasting your time and money.

Don’t say yes to things you are invited to participate in, no matter how prestigious, unless it makes sense for your work and your ideal client.

By targeting exactly who your ideal client is, you will be able to hone your marketing specifically for them.

Too many artists think you can sell your art by casting the net wide and seeing what it catches. This is a tremendous waste of time and energy and often leads to disillusionment with the art world.

What?

What is that you make?

Can you speak about your work? Is your artist’s statement compelling and readable? Or does it read like it was written by someone who hates writing artist’s statements – brief and confusing with excessive homage to your feelings?

Or worse, is it shrouded in art-speak? Thick academic words with the term “post -” repeated several times before the word “modern?”

A strong artist’s statement, whether it’s written on a wall label or simply the way you talk about your work, is the best way I know how to sell your art.

Be ready to talk about your work, and share your passion for it when you do. Tell a story, take them on a journey. You don’t have to explain every brush-stroke; you just have to help viewers find their way into the work.

Understand that not everyone can be inside your head. And more often than you would imagine, people are intimidated by art, they fear looking stupid and won’t dare ask questions. Educating people about your work, making them feel comfortable to engage in a conversation with you, will go a long way toward building a clientele. Just don’t over do it; there is a fine line between being an entertaining artist and being a flat out bore. Do not cross this line.

And you don’t have to speak purely about the work, tell your story as well. Let people know where the work is coming from and how you make it. Let them in on where you want to go next. But again, don’t over-share. Keep it brief but compelling.

Leave room for them to ask questions. You want to engage them, not deliver a monologue.

Where?

Nearly every artist I work with tells me that she wants to be included in major museum collections. Or that he thinks his work would do well in a blue-chip New York gallery. Maybe. But then again, maybe not.

I am not saying this isn’t possible – au contraire! But it is important to understand that that it often takes years of very hard work to achieve these goals, and more importantly, that these goals may not necessarily be right for you.

Museums have a very specific agenda, as do the name-brand galleries. Is your work ready? Is it speaking to the same audience as the institutions you are chasing? Is this really the best career path for you?

A lot of artists have been struggling for so long, have bucked so many odds, worked to overcome the nay-sayers, that they feel they have something to prove. I won’t succeed until my work has the stamp of approval of a name brand – it’s got to be represented by the best gallery in town, I’ve got to have a retrospective at a major museum. Only then will I have succeeded.

This is not the best way to chart your course. Forget about proving anything to anybody. By being an artist who makes the work, you are living the most authentic version of yourself. That is all you need to prove.

I bring you back to your target audience. Are the galleries you are lusting after really showing work like yours? Is their clientele really right for you? Or are you seeking outside validation?

There is nothing wrong with getting your work into good galleries. Conversely, there is nothing wrong with skipping galleries altogether and finding other ways to sell your art. Be creative!

My friend James Clarke was an aspiring photographer. When he was let go as the photographic editor of a national newspaper, he finally got his big chance to strike out on his own. He was going to make a living from selling his art, photography.

But this was just as the recession hit. Galleries wouldn’t even look at his portfolio because they were too busy closing their doors. There were no freelance jobs available. The landscape of possibilities looked bleak.

So James thought outside the box.

James has diabetes. He contacted Diabetes UK, the British foundation, and offered to create a series of portraits of others with diabetes, putting forward a healthy and vibrant face on the disease. The organization was thrilled with the idea and gave him the commission.

That body of work has now toured England as a large exhibition, has been turned into a book, and received a ton of press. This opened up all kinds of other doors for James as well and he is now a working artist.

Where will your work find its audience?

When?

Always.

Always be ready to sell your art. Have a business card on you at all times, make sure your website address is on it. (Yes, you need a website.)

Have your work documented with all of your professional materials ready to go at a moment’s notice. Opportunity does not wait for you to get your act together.

As a professional artist, you never know when you might meet someone who could open a door for you. Prepare for your success.

Because when could be now.

Why?

Believe it or not, the why is the most important question.

This goes back to your artist’s statement and being able to talk about your work. When you answer the question why, you engage your audience by telling a story.

Why do you make the work that you do? Why are you an artist? If you couldn’t make art, what else would you do? Why should we care? Try to go deeper than “My work is an expression of my feelings.”

Why are you an artist?

I believe that making art is more than what you do, it is a part of who you are. So what does it say about you?

What makes your work different? Out of all the millions of artists out there, why should we look at your work? Why should we buy it?

Really think about the answers to these questions, write your answers down and use your responses to craft your statement, prepare for portfolio presentations, and develop your marketing materials.

How?

Professionally.

The art world is small and it is a business. You build a reputation by behaving like a professional.

Have your materials polished and edited, create a marketing plan and stick to it, follow submission guidelines to the letter, support the communities and organizations you want support from, be generous to other artists, keep your ego in check, and demand technical excellence from all that you do.

It is important that you continue your education throughout your career. Not only to expand your artistic skills, but also for professional development.

It is always a good idea to review your marketing materials with fresh eyes, to learn the most recent changes in social media, the marketplace, and to challenge yourself to set career goals and learn new ways of attaining them.

There are hundreds of Professional Practices programs out there. My own program, The Working Artist, is an online course that teaches artists like you how to professionally package, market and sell your art in a way that feels authentic and not slimy.

And my colleagues number in the hundreds, so you have a huge choice of Professional Practice workshops. The challenge lies in finding a teacher who speaks to your interests, to your work, and who presents the information in a way that you can relate to and understand. Do your research, sign up for a few mailing lists, listen to what each teacher has to say and who speaks to you.

In conclusion

By thinking through the 5W’s (and an H!), by being true to yourself and investing the time in marketing your work, you will draw buyers to you, increase your reputation, and create the career of your dreams.

And that’s how you sell your art.I'm a visual artist interested networking with others in order to market and sell my art. I'm looking for resources and references. I would like to find a rep or gallery to show and sell my work. Please visit my website and have a look at my art, and if you have a moment, I would appreciate your thoughts or feedback. Thanks for your time.

A: If you're taking shots in the dark like this, you need professional help with how to present yourself and your art. Perhaps this is not what you want to hear, but if it's any consolation, plenty of other artists need the exact same thing. Rather than get help, though, they continue to make arbitrary random trial-and-error attempts to call attention to themselves and their art, attempts that are almost always destined to go nowhere. Now you can always hire an art consultant, artist agent, or perhaps even an art dealer, and pay them for an hour or two of their time. But in the meantime, let's take a look at your request and see how you can do things better...

Regarding how you're introduce yourself, I don't know how many people you've sent this email to; I'm sure I'm not the only one. So I'll try to give you a generic answer, typical of one that any art business professional would give you. Of course, hardly anyone will actually respond, but what you're about to read is similar to what they might be thinking as they read your request (assuming they even read it at all)....

You say in your opening sentence that you're marketing your own work, but you're not really. You're asking others to help you market it or even to market it for you. You want them to give you references and resources. You want them to help you find a rep or gallery. You want them to look at your art and give you feedback. Maybe you want them to rep or show your art themselves. In other words, you're asking for an awful lot, but it's not clear what if anything you are offering in return.

Here are my questions for you: Are these people supposed to take an hour or three of their time to study and critique your work, put their thoughts into writing and email them to you? Are they supposed to go through their contact lists and give you a bunch of names so that you can ask them the same questions... or ask them to show or buy your art? Are they supposed to offer whatever additional help they can to advance your art career?

Assuming they're supposed to do any or all of these things, what's in it for them? Are they supposed to do it for free? You don't say anything about how you intend to compensate them for their time and effort.

Not to belabor the point, but let's say they look at your art for free and email you their thoughts. Would that mean anything? You're getting them for nothing. You'll read the email, save it if you like it, and delete it if you don't.

But enough about what you want for you without making clear what you'll do for them in return. Convincing someone to show and sell your art involves more than asking them to look at it on a computer screen and give you feedback. No one is going to visit your website, see your art, and become so taken with it that they decide to represent you right then and there. They have no idea who you are, how you are to work with, what your capabilities are, or anything else about you. You're a total stranger approaching them from out of nowhere.

For the sake of argument, however, let's suppose someone does like your art enough to email you back. Can you explain why your art is worth owning, or what about you or your art is worthy of their attention? Can you provide information about how much art you've sold, where it's sold, how much it's sold for, and under what circumstances? Can you present yourself in such a way as to convince this person to represent you or give you a show at their gallery? Would you know what to say if they called you on the phone, or met with you in person? These are all questions you must be prepared to answer whenever anyone expresses any interest in your art.

But they're not the only questions. In order to be successful at presenting yourself and your art, you also have to know who you're emailing. Do you know anything about who these people are or their business or how they are to work with? Have you visited their galleries or offices? Do they buy, sell or represent artists whose art is similar to yours? Whose resumes are similar to yours? Are you familiar with their business practices? Are you sure they're reputable? Have you spoken with other artists whose art they represent or sell? Are those artists satisfied with how they've been represented?

Art galleries, agents, and artist reps sell art for a living. If they can't make their livings selling art, then they have to get real jobs like the rest of us. In order to avoid such a fate, they carefully evaluate every artist who presents them with art, and decide to work only with those who can demonstrate or convince, in one way or another, that their art is not only appealing to collectors and potential buyers, but that it's actually worth owning. Before you can get representation or a show, you have to understand how people who sell art for a living think, what they need, and how you can give it to them.

If you've never cold hard art world facts presented quite this way before, don't worry; it's not your fault. Art school provides little or no education for artists about how to how to sell their art in the real world. You may learn how to put together a portfolio, but that's not selling art. You might even learn how to put that portfolio online on your website, but that's not selling art either. At worst, you graduate thinking that all you have to do is get yourself a studio and start cranking out art like you're printing money, and that the galleries and collectors will somehow materialize out of nowhere. That's not the way it works.

Oops. I got a little off the subject. If you're feeling a tad queasy at this point, then we're right back where we started. Get a bit of professional help and pay for it or trade art for it or make clear in some other way that you are prepared to compensate those who help you. An experienced art consultant or similar art business professional can show you how to present your art effectively, maximize your chances for results, minimize problems, and enter into mutually beneficial business relationships. And here's the good news: You don't have to compromise your artistic integrity or change the look of your art in the process; all you have to do is learn how to present yourself in ways and in places that are the most likely to result in sales of your art.

This is the best fastest way to pick up a little art business expertise so that you'll know what to do with your art once it's ready to leave your studio, and how to present yourself and your portfolio online as well as in person once you've gotten yourself together. As for paying to learn how to do this, you've already paid tens of thousands of dollars (or more) to go to art school; now pay another couple hundred bucks for a quick dose of reality, and learn how to effectively present your art to the public. I don't generally get promotional in my articles, but I might suggest myself as one of the options here. I've consulted with thousands of artists over the years and am good at what I do.

No matter how you choose to go about it, make sure you get some basic training about what makes people buy art. Learn how to present, show and explain your art in ways that whomever's listening will find compelling. And learn how, at some point during your presentation, to convince them that your art is worth owning. Only then will you be ready to actualize your art marketing adventures.

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Interested in my services for artists? I consult and advise on all aspects of your art and career including how to organize and present your art, making sure your website or image pages are easy to understand and navigate, how to increase exposure for your art, pricing, how and what types of galleries or venues to approach for possible shows or representation, social networking, and much more. Please email me-- Alan Bamberger-- or call 415.931.7875.

1. Go online. The internet provides great possibility for publicity. There are an endless number of web builder/host websites out there these days, and finding them is just as easy. Godaddy.com,1&1.com,... the list goes on.
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   Consider consignment. Look for stores or boutiques in your area who you think would want to carry your items, and ask if they might carry them -- you only pay if they sell your items, then they get part of the profits. Consignment is excellent for three main reasons: you get the publicity, you don't pay anything up front, and you don't pay rent on the building where they are selling your items.
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   Look for an art gallery in your town, take a couple pieces of art in there, and ask if they could display your work for sale in the gallery. Find out if your town has any upcoming arts and crafts shows. To do this, call or go to the website of your towns city hall. They will have the information that you need. Depending where you live, the cost of renting a booth is fairly inexpensive, normally no more than $30.00.
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   Self-promote. Depending on the amount of money you have, or want to spend, you could advertise in your local newspaper, and set up shop in your own driveway, garage, or backyard.

We could really use your help!

Tips

• Price your work right. Too many artists underestimate themselves, and practically give their art away. Charge for your materials, and the time you put into it. Decide on how much money per hour that you feel you deserve.
• Picture your painting on a wall, if it looks good with any color,it might sell quicker, but it won't necessarily be your best work. However, if your work is well executed, it will sell no matter the colors you use because the person who loves it will repaint a wall to make it work! Person to person publicity is the best way to sell your painting when you meet anybody always offer them a business card and tell them about your most recent painting.
• Even if customers don't buy, give them your contact information. You never know, they might decide to buy the painting they couldn't stop looking at, earlier that day.
• Unless you have only one type of subject that you do well, such as landscapes, it's always a good bet to paint a wide variety of genres, such as figures and still life paintings. Art clients each have their favorite genre.
• It only takes one great painting, hanging in your customer's home, for it to catch the eye of their friends and family, for them to say, "Where did you buy that?"
• If you can't come up with something to paint, you can make your own rendition based on a famous artist's work - but be aware of copyright law when you choose who to emulate. It is illegal to actually copy another artist's work or to use pictures in magazines to copy. You cannot copy another artist's style with the purpose of duping the purchaser.

Warnings

• A phone number, and your first name will work just fine. Don't give out any information about yourself, that could put you in harm's way.
• Don't meet at customers' homes, unless you personally know them. That is risky to do.
• For your sake, don't sell to anyone until you have the cash in your hand. If you don't, you're risking losing a piece of your artwork at no cost, not knowing for sure if they will ever pay you.As artists, we’re told again and again how vital it is for us to market online, to reach an international audience, to establish a profitable niche. And this is very true, but in extending our reach we often neglect a lucrative market that’s right in front of us – our local art community.
  People love to support local artists, and there are many opportunities open to you within your hometown that can support a part- or full-time artist. Here are some ideas on how to market your artwork in your local community.
  
  

  Hold Local Exhibits

  It may not be the Tate Modern, but your local art galleries enjoy loyal and steady patronage, and they’re a great place to begin building a local following. Exhibiting in your local gallery scene can also be an excellent way to network with important local art folk and increase your profile.
  Local galleries have an established network of art fans and collectors who love to support up-and-coming artists. Because local galleries are small, they offer individual artists and exhibitions a lot of hands-on attention, and they focus on bringing interested patrons through the door.
  But you don’t have to stick to galleries – cafes, office lobbies, schools, libraries, banks and theatres often host mini exhibitions from local artists. These are an excellent way of getting your art in front of fresh eyes – not everyone in your town visits galleries, but they all do their banking and enjoy coffee and cake.
  
  

  Network with the Local Arts Community

  Most cities have a local Art Council, who put on events and manage arts activities across a range of disciplines. These bodies often give out funding and look for artists to undertake community projects and large-scale commissions. You’re competing only against local artists (not the entire international scene) and have a much better chance of being recognized and funded.
  In a local scene, it’s all about whom you know – so get out to local arts events and meet people. Always carry business cards and postcards of your work to show interested people.
  My local arts community also run a fantastic website that posts regular job opportunities and submission calls, as well as promoting exhibitions and shows. You can find valuable opportunities by staying current with these local channels.
  
  

  Get in Touch With Businesses

  As well as getting your name recognized in the arts community, you might find a wealth of contacts and potential collectors in the business community. Businesses love to be seen supporting the arts, and they all have offices that need decorating, gala dinners that need prizes, and websites and products that need evocative images and packaging.
  
  Recently, I joined the BNI (Business Network Institute) as an artist and writer, and have also started attending events put on by the local chamber of commerce.  My BNI chapter meets once a week over breakfast to exchange referrals.  I may know someone who’s looking for a travel agent, so I give the travel agent in the group their contact details to follow up, and the professional photographer might give me a referral for a business friend of his who needs an illustration for one of their products.
  “But I’m an artist. Why would I want to spend my time hanging out with business types?”  You might be asking. Well, your art is also your business, and forming a network of other local business people gives you more opportunities to sell your work and make a living.
  An artist is always a talking point at a networking event. Take along some business cards and postcards showing your work. You’ll find plenty of people are interested in what you do – many of them will contact you later with exciting projects.
  
  

  Schmooze with the Press

  County reporters, community newsletters and local radio stations love to feature profiles of unique characters from the area. As an artist, you’re automatically considered “unique” in most people’s books, so why not see if you can get an article or feature about your artwork?
  Whenever your work is featured in a new exhibition, or you’ve won a contest or completed an interesting project, write a little press release and send it out to your local media contacts. What’s that? You don’t have any local media contacts? Well, it is time you started making some, isn’t it?
  Send email or letters to radio stations, newspapers and publications, asking whom you need to contact about editorial features. Explain that you’re a local artist who is holding an exhibition and wondered if they’d like some free tickets to the opening? You could also hold a small open studio event and ask the press along. You could also send out apress kitto local media.
  You need a belly full of bravery to make contact with the press, but you’ll soon realize they’re not vicious, hard-hitting reporters. They’re just down-to-earth locals keen to support the local community. Don’t ever think you’re not important or famous enough to be featured!
  A huge part of marketing is making sure you’re continually in front of customer’s eyes. Features in local media will establish you as a local artist people can trust, and they will recognize your name when they see your work in galleries.
  
  

  Team Up with a Local Charity

  Part of being a locally recognized artist is giving back to your community. You can do this by volunteering to teach kids art classes, doing the school holiday program at the library, or by teaming up with a local charity to offer a prize or entertainment for an event.
  
  Find a charity whose work you admire and whose core recipients or donors fit with your target market. So, if you’re a pet portrait painter, you want to get in touch with the animal shelter. Nature artists could look for conservation groups. If your art deals with complex social issues, you could contact your local Victim Support or Women’s Refuge.
  Once you’ve chosen a charity, contact them and offer to work with them on their next project or event. Perhaps you could donate a prize to their next raffle, or you could paint murals on the walls of their centre.
  Most local charities have an established relationship with the media, so by helping them out, not only do you get to do a nice thing for your community, but you’ll probably be written up in the media, too. It’s a win win for everybody.
  Going local isn’t something you do at the expense of your online marketing – it offers another way to connect yourself with your community and create a powerful fan base that will buy your work for years to come.
  
  

  How do you promote your artwork locally?

  • What do you do to promote your artwork in your local community?
  • What have you found to be successful?
  • What kind of things have you struggled with the most?
  
  
  Read more at:http://skinnyartist.com/5-ways-to-market-your-art-in-your-community/

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