Challenges Artists Face When Trying to Sell Their Art and How to Overcome Them

The fear of getting started

Everyone has a fear of getting started at some point in time - artists included. Although the world wide web has revolutionized buying and selling art; getting into the online art sales space and exploiting its potential can seem daunting for most people. It takes grit and determination to expose your creations to the great unknown – the web.

As an artist, it is okay to feel vulnerable and uncertain about how your art will be perceived by the online public. However, you can never know what awaits you until you step out of your comfort zone. So, pick up the challenge and get started on this online journey today; you might be surprised at how far it will lead you. Of course, not everyone will appreciate the beauty of your work; the key is to focus on those who love it and keep improving. Think about what you wish to achieve monetarily as an artist and consider the benefits of selling your art online to reach your goals. Push any doubt aside, and no more excuses, start today with these tips!

Find the best way to sell your art online

Congratulations! You have finally decided to sell your art online. The next big challenge is to figure out the right way to sell online. Your first task is to choose the kind of art you wish to sell. This influences both the medium of sale and the price. In terms of product type, you might wish to sell original art, digital files, or prints. Once you have settled on your choice of art to sell, it is time to pick a medium. Creating your own website or selling through third-party art platforms are all viable options for online sales.

Whether you choose to start a website or sell through a third party, it is important to register your business either as a sole proprietor or as a limited liability company. This will help you in hiring more people in the future as the business grows. Selling art through your website means you will be responsible for all the logistics required to get the product to each buyer. Additionally, you will need to gain skills to maintain your website or hire a professional.

In case you decide to sell through third-party art platforms, you should consider Bidgala (one of the most reliable art sales platforms today). Most third-party art sales platforms have staff who manage the website as well as marketing; however, some require you to ship products to buyers yourself. Take note of the offerings of each platform and go with what works for you. A Google search can help you find good sales options, but you are responsible for vetting each platform before settling on the most reliable one that meets your needs.

Pick the right price for your art

This is where most people get the biggest headaches. Finding the right price for your product is a huge step towards succeeding. Too high a price might deter buyers and a low price means losses for your business. As a rule of thumb, original creations are priced higher than digital prints. This is because it takes longer to create original art. Secondly, most experts advise business owners to include shipping costs in their product price – a cheap product with a high shipping cost tends to deter buyers and vice versa. So, to attract more buyers, lower your shipping costs and make room for the extras in your item price. If you are selling digital art prints, the prices should be considerably lower when compared to original art. The goal here is to sell more prints and increase your turnover since they are easily reproduced.

Market your art online

Not everyone is born a sales expert. Even professional sales representatives will acknowledge that it is quite a challenge to market a product as there are so many variables to consider; target audience, appropriate channel, wording –the list is endless. As a beginner just trying to sell your art, these complexities can be demoralizing, but you don’t need all the technicalities – just start with the basics and learn as you go.

First, develop an online presence where you can share your work. Social media is a great place to start. You don’t need to have millions of followers to reach people. Thanks to social media ads and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tools, you can reach potential buyers easily. Consider hiring a social media manager if you have a few dollars to spare. Another important way to market yourself is through events and exhibitions. These places are good for networking with other artists, promoters, or curators who might potentially advertise you for free or for a small fee on their platforms.

I hope this article helps you start your online art sale journey. Kindly share your experience or questions about online art sales in the comment section.