Are you finding it challenging to build an audience for your art business? If you are, you are not alone. Many artists have the same struggles. Selling art is a numbers game. The first step is to create beautiful art that people would be interested in purchasing. The second step is to learn who your target audience is, and the last step is to get your art in front of your potential art collectors.
If you are searching for ways to increase your art sales, you are in the right place. In this post, you will discover some overlooked marketing strategies to build your art business so you can sell more art online and at art fairs.
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How To Sell More Art
Online art sales are steadily increasing over the years, but so is the competition.
Online art market sales reached an estimated $4.22 billion in 2017, up 12% from the year before. This was lower than the 15% year-on-year growth rate in 2016, and 24% growth rate experienced in 2015. (Source: Hiscox)
Every day, new artists are arising, trying to build an art career.
How can some artists make a living selling their art while other artists struggle to sell one painting?
Is it the quality of their artwork?
Is it their pricing strategy?
Is it the quality of the images they upload online?
Is it because they do not know how to market their art and build brand awareness?
Are they marketing to the wrong people?
Do they have a niche?
There are many reasons why artists might be having a difficult time selling their art.
There is good news. If you work hard, spend time learning how to market your art online, be patient, and be consistent, you will see positive results. You will start to notice what art marketing strategies will work best for your goals.
Overlooked Marketing Strategies To Build Your Art Business
Before you can learn how to market your artwork, you will need to focus on some basics like your portfolio, telling the story behind your artwork, and developing a pricing strategy.
If you are interested in learning how to increase art sales, start here.
Portfolio
A portfolio is a collection of an artist’s best work and is used by artists to showcase their work to employers, allowing them to understand the artist’s style.
Your portfolio can be used for many things such as:
- Your website
- Your Blog
- Art shows
- Commissioned work
- Selling in small local shops
- Art competitions
A portfolio highlights an artist’s accomplishments, best work, and skills. It is a good idea to start a portfolio right from the beginning.
Only add your best work when you are developing your portfolio.
Introduce your portfolio on your website, blog, social media sites, and send it to your email list.
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Have A Niche
The best way to stand out from the crowd online is by becoming an expert in your niche.
Have you noticed that most successful artists create art with a particular style, medium, and theme?
It might be fun to draw or paint different subjects, but if you are trying to sell more art, you need to focus on a niche.
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Once you have decided on what art style you will be creating, develop a business plan to market your creations to people who have a passion for what you make.
Tell a story
If you create original artwork, you will want to share the story behind your art.
Many people buy art because the subject reminds them of a particular time of their life or a special place they have visited.
Why Art Collectors Purchase Original Work:
- It reminds them of a particular place they visited or lived
- It reminds them of a specific time of their life
- It reminds them of someone special
- It motivates them
- It inspires them
- It reminds them of personal experiences
Art is a visual form of communication and will be interpreted by everyone differently.
You will have a better chance of selling more art if you share the story behind the art that you create.
- What inspired you to create the art?
- What motivated you to make the art?
- What message are you trying to share with the art?
Connecting potential buyers to a piece of art on a personal level will help you build brand awareness and increase art sales.
For example, if a person is emotionally connected with your art, they will be more willing to purchase it at higher prices.
They will also become a part of your tribe and help you build your brand awareness by sharing your art and story with family members and friends.
Your job is to tell the story behind the art you create so you can connect your audience to your craft.
Start An Art Blog
Start developing a content marketing strategy (blogging) to attract your target audience and connect them to your artwork.
For more information on why you should start an art blog, visit:
5 Ways Artist Blogs Sell Art and Why You Should Start One
Your art blog will be the fuel that generates traffic to your art listings. Social media channels are a great place to build relationships with your fans. Still, blogging will help you reach a wider audience because people are searching for topics related to your art business.
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Consistent Pricing
Every artist expects that they should receive a specific amount for their artwork.
For helpful tips on pricing your art, visit 10 Tips for Pricing Your Art.
It takes time to learn what people are willing to spend on artwork once you find that sweet spot stays consistent with your pricing.
There is nothing that turns customers off more than prices that fluctuate every time they blink their eyes.
Do you need help developing a pricing strategy that will help you sell more art and make a more significant profit? If you do, you will be interested in this Art Pricing Guide – How to Price Art to Sell eBook.
Social Media Presence
Publishing blog posts will drive potential clients to your online store. After you have driven potential customers to your site, your objective is to have them join your mailing list and have them follow you on social media platforms so you can keep them up-to-date with your art business.
Final Thoughts On How To Grow Your Art Business
It takes a lot of hard work to sell art online and grow a successful art business.
You can become very successful as long as you are willing to learn how to market your art business online and ready to put in the hard work. There are many different ways to drive people to your business page, and you will want to use every tactic available. The tips outlined above are a great way to get started.
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