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Life's curve ball....Any tips on how to get started selling....I need to focus on online selling now
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Message
Posted
I should have given a mention to the numerous online art sales sites such as Artfinder and Saatchi Online - I have a small selection of paintings in both, but there are many more.
Here again we are faced with the commission percentage, but I have sold work on both of these sites. The two I’ve mentioned have quite a presence in the States which is where most of my sales have come from…
Generally, before being accepted, they will ask to see a small selection of your most recent work and some background history!
As I recall, they don’t necessarily have to be framed which is a bonus!
Edited
by Alan Bickley
Posted
I think looking at the work you have posted Colletes suggestion of Etsy is a good one, you might also consider setting up a page on Pinterest and Instagram. I get my cards, calendars done through Printed.com but others are out there too. I take these to local shops and galleries, then usually the gallery’s and shops contact me when they need more stock. It’s not a great earner but it keeps me in materials. Selling paintings is a different matter. I have work in a number of galleries in Staffordshire, but the commissions are crippling, often up to 60% which means it is only worthwhile if I make my own frames. A lot of my painting are also sold word of mouth, and I am quite well known at least locally. I have a website which is helpful, but more for reference when talking to possible customers. The current economic climate is also making things difficult for artists. Personally though I would rather sell a painting for a low price, or even give it away to a friend rather than have to store it in a box.
Edited
by Justin Twigg
Posted
A couple of excellent photographer friends regularly rent a pop up shop from our town council. It costs them £30.00 per day which, considering that there is no commission to pay, can be quite lucrative. It might be worth approaching your local council. Whilst they may not have any schemes of their own, they may be able to direct you to some useful sources. Personally, I haven't tried the scheme here but will dip my toe into the water next time my friends set up shop - it will cost me only £10.00!
Posted
I wish councils would do that, Fiona - nearly everywhere in the country, there are empty shops, their bleak, bare windows giving a horrible (if accurate) impression of the dying High Street: a few temporary exhibitions would at least cheer the place up a bit - who knows, they might even prove to be part of the rejuvenation answer. But while landlords continue to demand ridiculous rents, which have killed so many outlets, and councils are anyway starved of resources, it's down to the individual landlord to make the best of a bad job: too many of them are clinging on in the hope of a High Street regeneration which, as a former businessman myself, I just don't see happening.
Posted
I was thinking of putting on an art exhibition in my local village hall. But the cost of the hall hire, plus the necessary insurances, plus hiring or buying display stands, plus advertising and promotion costs, has nearly put me off. Other option is to get other local artists involved and charge everyone a fee. Biggest issue I’m finding is the display equipment.
Posted
Helen - you're right, of course - I can't be doing with all this kerfuffle these days: insurance is ridiculous, but necessary - people WILL sue if they trip over a misplaced easel - stands, promotion, advertising more generally: well, you sum up all the reasons why I no longer do it: I've had lovely, and remunerative, exhibitions in a range of local libraries, with enthusiastic staff curating my stuff and keeping me informed of reactions: it's what councils ought to be good at, but of course, how many libraries these days can afford professional librarians (or good books...)? It seems to me that opportunities are shrinking, and I'm just too old cynical and worn down by age and se..... no, let us not go there .... to persist with it all.
If I were thirty years younger, though - I'd have a good crack at it. It'd still be worth it, I'd have the patience for it, I'd get friends in to help: but as my friends are now nearly as old as I am, and have no more patience than I have.... oh dear! I think you should do all this if you can, if you can bear to do it, if you can stop weary old so-and-so's like me putting you off. I really do, you have to make that effort if you want to sell and get known. If you can, KEEP doing it - because it's all to easy to stop being known.... I've stopped giving a damn', but I really don't think anyone should look to me as an example: look to Sylvia Evans instead! Older than I am, but still full of get up and go, publishing books, putting her cheeful Spring paintings on the Gallery! If I had half her energy .... but there it is, I haven't. So ignore me, look to Sylvia, and press on.
Posted
I should have given a mention to the numerous online art sales sites such as Artfinder and Saatchi Online - I have a small selection of paintings in both, but there are many more. Here again we are faced with the commission percentage, but I have sold work on both of these sites. The two I’ve mentioned have quite a presence in the States which is where most of my sales have come from… Generally, before being accepted, they will ask to see a small selection of your most recent work and some background history! As I recall, they don’t necessarily have to be framed which is a bonus!I've been on a few of these - most require a higher standard of photography than I was able to manage (I know, Alan: old story, old excuse), and while I'm not sure I used Artfinder - I may have done - I wasn't exactly embarrassed by the demand - more shamed by the lack of it. Still, worth a try.
Posted
Hi Gerry,
I can’t really advise, but I belong to an art society (Nottingham Society of Artists) they have regular exhibitions throughout the year, I’ve sold quite a few pieces and I’m beginning to get known. I’m also lucky to be represented by a local independent art gallery. Also instagram can get you known. I’ve also sold my works at Art Fairs, but they can be tiring, especially if it’s only for a day. I also have a website.
Hope this helps!