Selling Art at Local Shows: The Secret to Boosting Online Sales

As an artist, you know that creating beautiful pieces takes time, talent, and dedication. However, what happens when your online sales aren’t reflecting your efforts? It can be disheartening and frustrating. Fortunately, there’s a way to boost online sales that don’t involve publishing more art online or investing in paid advertising.

The secret? Participating in local art shows.

In this article, we’ll explore the tips and tricks to make selling art at local shows work for you, including showcasing your art, networking, promoting your online store, maximizing sales, and expanding your reach beyond local shows. By the end of this post, you’ll have the tools to start incorporating these strategies into your art show routine and watch your online sales soar.

Showcasing Your Art at Local Events

One of the most essential aspects of showcasing your art at local events is networking and building relationships. By connecting with other artists, event organizers, and potential customers, you can expand your reach and create valuable connections that can help you in the future. Not only can networking help boost your online sales, but it can also lead to new opportunities to showcase your art at other events or collaborate with other artists. So, bring business cards, engage in conversation with attendees, and follow up with potential leads after the event. Building relationships is vital to success in art, and local events are the perfect place to start.

Networking and Building Relationships

One of the most crucial aspects of selling art at local events is the power of networking and building relationships. It can help increase your online sales and open doors for future collaborations with other artists or opportunities to showcase your work at other events. Bring and exchange business cards with fellow artists and potential customers to make the most of these relationships. Engage in conversations with attendees and connect on social media platforms to establish lasting connections beyond the event. Remember to follow up with potential buyers and leads after the event to maintain those relationships.

By building a solid network within the online art market and community, you can gain valuable insights into forthcoming events and exhibitions, receive feedback on your work and learn from other artists. Networking can also result in referrals from other artists, collectors, and event organizers, increasing your visibility and boosting your online sales.

Building relationships at local events can have a lasting impact on your art business. These connections provide a foundation for future collaborations, strengthen your professional network, and help you stay updated on trends and opportunities in the art world.

Promoting Your Online Store

In addition to showcasing your artwork at local events, promoting your online store can help you reach a wider audience and boost your sales. Social media is a powerful tool for promoting your artwork and online store. Share high-quality photos of your artwork and create engaging posts that showcase your creative process, behind-the-scenes glimpses of your studio, and insights into your inspirations. 

You can also collaborate with other artists and bloggers to cross-promote each other’s work. Reach out to influencers in your niche and offer them a discount on your artwork in exchange for promoting your store to their audience. Additionally, you can leverage email marketing to send out newsletters announcing new artwork, promotions, and upcoming events.

By promoting your art online in-store, you can extend the reach of your art beyond local events and attract a global audience.

Maximizing Sales at Local Shows

Maximizing your sales at local shows is one of the most effective ways to boost your online art sales. You can start by ensuring your booth stands out with eye-catching displays, signage, and business cards.

You can also offer special promotions or discounts for customers or collectors who purchase from your website or sign up for your email list. The key to increasing online sales is to collect emails from people interested in your artwork and nurture them into customers.

It’s essential to engage with visitors in a friendly and approachable manner during local shows. Encourage them to ask questions and learn more about your artwork and creative process. Having a system for accepting payments through mobile devices or credit card readers is also a good idea.

After the show, follow up with potential customers by sending a personalized thank you email or card. Include photos of your artwork, links to your online store, and any upcoming events or promotions.

Maximizing your sales at local shows can increase your reach and build a loyal customer base.

Post-Show Follow-Up

Following up with potential customers after a successful local show is essential to keep momentum. A personalized thank you email, or card is a great way to show appreciation and keep your brand in mind. It’s also an opportunity to provide more information about your art and direct them to your online store or upcoming events.

Attach photos of your artwork and provide links to your own gallery, online store, and social media accounts. This will make it easy for potential customers to explore your work further and potentially make a purchase. Additionally, including any upcoming events or promotions can encourage them to continue engaging with your brand.

By following up with potential customers after local shows, you can continue to grow your customer base and increase your online sales.

Expanding Your Reach Beyond Local Shows

One of the most significant advantages of selling artwork online is reaching a wider audience beyond your local area. With the power of the internet and social media to sell art online, you can expand your customer base and increase your online sales by connecting with art lovers worldwide.

One effective way to do this is by using social media to promote your art and personal brand. When you post photos of your artwork, use relevant hashtags and keywords to make it easier for potential customers to find you. You can also join online art communities and groups to connect with like-minded individuals and increase visibility.

Another way to expand your reach is by participating in online art shows and exhibitions. These virtual events can provide similar benefits to local shows, with the added advantage of being accessible to anyone with an internet connection. By presenting your artwork in these online exhibitions, you can reach a wider audience and potentially make sales to customers who may not have been able to attend a local show.

Finally, don’t forget the power of email marketing. Building an email list of interested customers and followers can be a valuable asset for any artist looking to expand their reach. By sending out regular newsletters and updates about your artwork and events, you can keep your followers engaged and informed and increase the likelihood of making online sales. Cakemail makes it easy to send professional emails and allows you to research the analytics of your campaigns.

As an artist, the possibilities for expanding your reach beyond local shows are endless. By utilizing social media, participating in online events, and building an email list, you can connect with art lovers worldwide and take your online sales to the next level.

In conclusion, if you’re an artist looking to boost your online sales, don’t underestimate the power of local art shows. You can see a significant increase in your online sales by showcasing your art, networking, promoting your online store, and maximizing event sales. Remember to follow up with potential customers and use social media to expand your reach beyond local events. Add these three marketing strategies to your art show routine and watch your business grow.

Frequent Asked Questions

Q: What are some strategies for boosting online art sales?

A: Strategies for boosting online art sales include promoting your online store via social media, a marketing strategy maximizing sales at local shows, and post-show follow-up. Additionally, you can expand your reach beyond local shows by utilizing social media, participating in online events, and building an email list.

Q: How can I increase online sales by selling art at local art shows?

A: Have eye-catching displays and signage to increase your sales at local art shows. Offer promotions or discounts for customers or art buyers who purchase from your website or sign up for your email list. Engage with visitors in a friendly manner and make it easy for them to pay with mobile devices or credit card readers. Follow up afterward with personalized thank you emails or cards.

Q: How can I expand my reach beyond local shows?

A: Use social media to promote your art and brand to expand your reach beyond local shows. Join online art communities and groups to connect with like-minded individuals and increase visibility. Participate in online exhibitions to present your artwork to a global audience and potentially make sales. Finally, build an email list of interested customers and followers and send regular newsletters about your artwork updates.

Q: What are some tips for following up with potential customers?

A: After a successful show, follow up with potential customers by sending a personalized thank you email or card. Include photos of your artwork and provide links to your online store and social media accounts. Include upcoming events or promotions to encourage them to engage further with your brand. This will increase the likelihood of making sales and building a loyal customer base.

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