Selling your art online is a great way to boost your sales and grow your reputation. Whether you sell screen-printed t-shirts or paint pointillist-inspired portraits, the web can be a huge source of revenue for you.
However, when you set up your online shop, you may find that business is a little slower than you expect. This is entirely normal, as all artists take a while to gain notoriety and develop a following.
Fortunately, you can use some well-established techniques to increase online sales for your art business.
Your art portfolio is what draws potential customers to your point of sale. However, a portfolio is only useful if folks are actually looking at your work. There’s no value in posting a dozen shots of your best art to a buried page on your blog, as many prospective buyers will not dig through your materials to find your best work.
Boost your portfolio by posting your work on Instagram, Facebook, or any image-based platform. Posting your products on social media is an easy way to increase the eyes of your work and may spark an online conversation about your art.
Capitalize on your social presence by crafting an SEO strategy that works for you. You can optimize your site internally by creating a site map, fixing broken links, and updating your blog every time you complete a new project.
Remember to dish out your portfolio in physical venues, too. As a budding artist, coffee shops and bookstores are your best friend. See if you can drop off a few flyers and offer to supply the venue with a few free prints.
As an artist, you want to spend the bulk of your time refining your work. However, when you aren’t mixing paints or perfecting your shading, you should be working on your customer relations.
Shore up your customer relations when selling from home by setting aside time in the week to reconnect with old leads and identify new prospects. You need to become a part-time salesperson if you want your products to take off, and you can do so by sending personalized emails and offering freebies to interested parties.
Cherishing your customers is a great way to show how much your support means to them. Folks are far more likely to come back for repeat purchases if they feel like they are supporting a good cause, too.
Strive to give your best clients a V.I.P. experience and offer perks and benefits that extend beyond the normal service you provide. Follow up on large online sales with in-person delivery or additional touches like “thank you” notes and freebies like stickers, cards, or discounts for future purchases.
Every artist suffers setbacks from time to time. It’s easy to feel low when your goods aren’t shifting even when you’re putting in the work as an artist, sales rep, and self-marketing agent.
Be kind to yourself and practice self-compassion during challenging times. The online art market can change quickly and buyers may dry up for reasons beyond your control. Embody kindness in your day-to-day life and write yourself encouraging letters during more difficult periods.
The online art world can be a tough nut to crack. Increase your sales volume by cherishing your repeat customers and branding yourself and your business on social media. Push your portfolio across as many venues as possible, but don’t be discouraged if it takes a while for folks to discover your work. Always practice self-compassion so your art is the best it can be.
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