Starting an online store for artists to showcase and sell their original artwork has never been easier. Every artist has an opportunity to have their artwork seen by potential buyers on the online marketplace. Still, even though the art world is booming, the competition is high, making it challenging for a new art business to reach a global audience.
Artists who wish to start selling their paintings and drawings have a better chance of landing sales quicker if they focus on marketing their work locally. Art collectors love to support local artists. There are many opportunities for artists to build name recognition in their hometown while working on building a more substantial audience online.
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Sell Art At Local Events
Most towns have local craft fairs, art fairs, and farmers’ markets looking for vendors and local crafters and artists to sell their work. There are several ways to find local art shows in your area.
The first way is to type in Google’s search bar “Local Craft Fairs Near Me.”
The second way is to join a vendor and crafters Facebook group in your area.
Selling your original work, art prints, and greeting cards at local events is the best way to build name recognition in your local area. You can meet art collectors in your area and other local artists.
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Selling Art At Local Fair Tips
A great way to decide how you want to display your art at a local fair is to look at how other artists display their products.
The way you merchandise your products will have an impact on your sales. Different merchandising strategies include line and composition, colors, repetition, etc. For more information on different merchandising strategies, visit Want To Stand Out At A Craft Show? Try These Display Tricks.
Here are some display ideas for local events:
Richeson Black Canvas Print Racks – These portable, lightweight racks are perfect for showcasing photography prints and limited edition prints. Medium and large display racks are available with adjustable legs.
Grid Panel Tower with T-Base – This grid wall display kit is perfect for hanging original matted artwork, canvas paintings, ornaments, and more.
Greeting Card Rack – make it easy for people walking by your stand to see the greeting cards you are selling. Small enough to place on a table.
Amery Collection 13 in. W 4 Tier Floor Shelf – Display your handmade soaps, hand creams, candles, and more in this classic rectangular shape display rack.
These are just a few popular ways to showcase fine art and handmade crafts at a local craft fair.
Pricing At Craft Fairs
The pricing of your products should be determined by the demographics and the type of event. For example, you have a good chance of selling giclee prints at a higher price at a fine art exhibition rather than a church craft fair. People attend fine art exhibitions hoping to find new art to display in their homes, while most go to smaller craft fairs looking for a good buy on handmade crafts.
Selling your products a few dollars less at smaller events might help you make extra money while selling your products at premium prices will help you to increase your profit margin at more significant events.
It is also essential to keep your prices similar to your own website. You can always lower the costs at a craft fair by holding a special sale, but it is bad practice to charge more at a showing than at your online art gallery. The objective is to grow your fan base at local events so they will continue to purchase your original paintings and art prints online and offline.
For more information about pricing art visit, How To Price Art – Ultimate Guide.
Business Cards
Even though business cards seem like a thing of the past, it is always a good idea to keep them on you and display them at a local art fair. Handing out cards and brochures is easy to drive new art buyers to your online gallery or Etsy shop. People who enjoy your display will check out other products you sell on Etsy.
Where to buy business cards and brochures online:
- Vistaprint
- Office Depot
- Overnight Prints
- Got Print
Email Signup List
Collecting contact information from potential customers at local events is the easiest way to increase online sales. You must create a signup list and place it next to the business cards to collect emails. Whenever someone seems interested in your work, hand them a card and ask them to signup for your newsletters.
For a free mailing list download, visit Craft Show Mailing List Template.
Local Stores
Small family-owned retail stores support local events and artists. Take some time to discover gift shops, coffee shops, and boutiques. If the establishment sells items similar to what you make, contact the store owner and see if there is a way to display your artwork in their shop.
For more information visit, How To Sell Art Prints To Stores.
Open Studio Event
A fantastic way to meet the right people in your local area is to have an open studio where you allow people to see your art studio and have an opportunity to purchase original paintings and prints.
For more information regarding hosting an open studio event visit, Hosting An Open Studio – Complete Guide.
Local Art Galleries
Selling art is a numbers game. The odds of selling a high-priced piece of art increase when more people see the work. Your objective is to build name recognition. Whether in a small town or a city like San Francisco, you must develop strategies to get your name out there. Having your art displayed in a local gallery is a great way to have your art seen by art enthusiasts in your area.
How Can Selling Art Locally Increase Online Sales
As an artist, it’s essential to diversify your income streams to ensure stability. One way to do this is to sell your art locally and online. While local sales may seem like a small-time endeavor, they can help increase your online sales. Here’s how:
- Local sales give you exposure to a broader audience. When you sell your art at local events, you’re exposed to potential customers who may not have otherwise come across your work. This can help increase brand awareness and drive traffic to your website or online store.
- Local sales can be used as marketing material. By taking photos or videos of your art being sold locally, you can create valuable marketing content that you can then use to promote your online sales. This content can be shared on social media, used in email marketing campaigns, or even featured on your website.
- Local sales can help build trust with potential online customers. If someone buys your art locally, they’re more likely to trust that you’re a legitimate artist and feel comfortable buying from you online. This trust can be crucial in converting leads into customers.
So, selling locally is an excellent option if you’re looking to boost your online sales.
Related Post – Best Print On Demand For Greeting Cards
Final Thoughts On How To Sell Your Art Locally
The easiest way to start selling your artwork is by attending art events, but there are many opportunities for a working artist to build a thriving business in their area. Join your local art council to discover more options in your town. If you are strapped for time, you might want to consider working with art dealers, depending on the type of work you create.
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