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Is selling online realistic?
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This post has been removed as it violates our forum rules and guidelines.
This post has been removed as it violates our forum rules and guidelines.
Posted
Very humbling re-reading this thread - A year on, and my website is still in infant form; it was supposed to be up and running by now, updated every week..... and I can only blame Covid for so much of that; the bigger reasons are lethargy and procrastination. But there we are - I get very bored with selling, even more bored with packaging stuff up and posting it, then there's tax to take into account.... anyone who has any more excuses I could use is most welcome to supply them.
This post has been removed as it violates our forum rules and guidelines.
Posted
James may not have intended to post twice - the page has developed a nasty habit of duplicating posts all by itself. Unless I managed to double-click by accident; but even if I had, that shouldn't have caused a double posting.
Edit: this one didn't double-post - so perhaps it was me. Well, it's early; haven't had breakfast yet.
Edited
by Robert Jones, NAPA
Posted
Frankly I find it a bit of a pain packing paintings, although I’ve been using the likes of DPD since Covid so I don’t have to go to the PO - obviously as you all know, they collect and are not expensive.
That’s not to say that I’m selling many paintings at the moment online, sales are hard to come by - my local outlet does better though, a shop/gallery window produces more interest.
I’ve always used DPD to send my accepted entries over to Patchings each year, I’ve taken them over myself a couple of times, and nothing damaged by them so far I have to say, but it’s always a risk.
Posted
It takes time and a good deal of web marketing to generate online sales and when you do get sales you will need space for storage of prints and packaging materials and a reliable and reasonably priced carrier. I say prints because even though I am long established, I can count the number of online sales of originals on one hand. Whilst all this might seem off-putting, if you put effort and focus into it, it can be financially rewarding (always assuming people want to buy your product of course!)
Good luck to all and a merry Christmas,
D xx
Posted
I don't market as such but I do post relevant work (mostly my watercolours of local scenes) on facebook groups which are town and village related. I also have a number of paintings used by Parish Councils - again local scenes - which have led to several enquiries over the years. I look up the websites of villages councils etc and aproach the Clerk to see if they would care to feature one of my works featuring their town/village (free of charge but along with suitable acknowledgment of course). I also post on a poetry site where my paintings accompany my poetry which has proved very worthwhile.
This year has not been so good from websites but I have had three sales as well as a major commission. Last year was much better with 9 sales to the States, 2 to Italy plus several within the UK.
All it takes is time researching the sites (and producing suitable paintings for local based sites) and it doesn't cost a penny. I only sell originals by the way - I've never bothered with prints.
Posted
I should have added that not everyone is looking for sales but, for me, I find it hard to paint just to add to a pile in the corner. When I make a sale (and it's nothing to do with making money I must add) the thought that my work becomes part of someone elses life and is appreciated makes it all worthwhile. I paint in many different genres - traditional watercolours, large acrylics, acrylic ink abstracts, pen and wash abstracts - and this means my work appeals to a wide range of potential buyers - if you only paint in one style your opportunities are limited and thus reduced. However I realise that if you are professional and seek the recognition of galleries etc where a distinct style is required then this is not be the road to follow.
Posted
Regarding sending paintings by post, when I looked into most of the carriers (DPD, DHL, Hermes, etc), art was on all of their prohibited items list! I am hesitant to use any of them in case it gets damaged or lost, as they won't insure it. Royal Mail seem to be the only ones who will send art (with insuramce also), so I have always posted my paintings using them.
Edited
by Helen Martell
Posted
Never had an issue with DPD Helen. I always state what the package contains which is generally a framed oil painting - and I’ve always insured my work with them, although not necessarily for the full sale value.
I haven’t used them for six months or more, unless their policy has changed recently.