Forum - Marketing Your Art
Marketing Your Art
666 messages posted
United States of America
I thought it might be a good idea to have an information pooling
thread about the business side of art. I am no financial expert,
by a long shot, but I do have experience in many ways to make
money, some successfully, some not so. But I've always adhered
to the philosophy of learning by my mistakes, so even they can be
helpful in this thread.
I think this thread will profit well-established artists as well as newcomers. Old dogs can always learn new tricks, if they keep an open mind. And since on-line marketing will be discussed, I'm sure the old-timers who were not raised on these machines will benefit.
I have worked in just about every aspect of this business, at some point in my life. Some of my job titles and descriptions include(or included) art framer, shipper, art restoration(metal sculpture), art handler(installation), special services installation, installation build and rebuild, atmosphere construction, Board of Directors for arts organization and gallery owner. Some of those descriptions sound loftier than they really are. I started out in construction when I was 14, so most of those jobs are derivative of that experience.
Of course, not counting my life as an artist, and creating and selling work in just about every venue I could think of. From galleries to print publication, art fairs to streetcorner, contests to on-line galleries, I've tried it all.
I'd like to sub-divide the thread into different categories of discussion. If you can think of an area not covered, throw it into the mix.
The categories I've come up with include:
Personal style vs. trends
Galleries- from backstreet to Big Apple
Selling yourself along with your art
Pricing your work
Website vs. on-line galleries
I'd like to start this thread out with a convo concerning the pros and cons of EBay against other advertising sites. I can only speak from the American side of the pond, on this topic, so I'd like to hear the rest of the world's point of view.
I think this thread will profit well-established artists as well as newcomers. Old dogs can always learn new tricks, if they keep an open mind. And since on-line marketing will be discussed, I'm sure the old-timers who were not raised on these machines will benefit.
I have worked in just about every aspect of this business, at some point in my life. Some of my job titles and descriptions include(or included) art framer, shipper, art restoration(metal sculpture), art handler(installation), special services installation, installation build and rebuild, atmosphere construction, Board of Directors for arts organization and gallery owner. Some of those descriptions sound loftier than they really are. I started out in construction when I was 14, so most of those jobs are derivative of that experience.
Of course, not counting my life as an artist, and creating and selling work in just about every venue I could think of. From galleries to print publication, art fairs to streetcorner, contests to on-line galleries, I've tried it all.
I'd like to sub-divide the thread into different categories of discussion. If you can think of an area not covered, throw it into the mix.
The categories I've come up with include:
Personal style vs. trends
Galleries- from backstreet to Big Apple
Selling yourself along with your art
Pricing your work
Website vs. on-line galleries
I'd like to start this thread out with a convo concerning the pros and cons of EBay against other advertising sites. I can only speak from the American side of the pond, on this topic, so I'd like to hear the rest of the world's point of view.
798 messages posted
United Kingdom
with open studios you could hire
church or village halls ......
some of my collegues use an old church and manage to rent it on a weekly basis.....well booked in advance and they book year after year
Ive recently looked at London it is possible to rent or hire on short term shop fronts in main areas. But is expensive ...you get what you pay for.
Some of the outer areas work out cheaper.
Im still reasearching this project.....I may share cost with a collegue or two.
All these need a great deal of preparation and research.... bookings can be 2 years in advance.......so you must look well into the future.
some of my collegues use an old church and manage to rent it on a weekly basis.....well booked in advance and they book year after year
Ive recently looked at London it is possible to rent or hire on short term shop fronts in main areas. But is expensive ...you get what you pay for.
Some of the outer areas work out cheaper.
Im still reasearching this project.....I may share cost with a collegue or two.
All these need a great deal of preparation and research.... bookings can be 2 years in advance.......so you must look well into the future.
136 messages posted
United Kingdom
Yeah I aw an add for a shop front
near London Bridge a few years
back, and yes it had price tag.
Can't remember what is was but it
was high. The church idea isn't one
I have heard before. On thinking
about the possible places may I
should put a local add for space!
798 messages posted
United Kingdom
Fester, you can only try...but dont
just put in adds randomly ...they
can be costly and most of the time
quite futile.
798 messages posted
United Kingdom
Do serious homework on venues you
really would like,
research as much as you can, into its availabity,and who you should contact.
Good luck
research as much as you can, into its availabity,and who you should contact.
Good luck
442 messages posted
United States of America
i've always liked the idea of co-op
galleries. recruit a handful of
artists, find a high traffic
location, hang everyone's art and
split the rent.
i belonged to a co-op when i first came down here and it was a good experience. i learned a lot and sold some things. ultimately i let it go because we grew to something like 25 artists and it became more of a gift shop than a gallery.
i belonged to a co-op when i first came down here and it was a good experience. i learned a lot and sold some things. ultimately i let it go because we grew to something like 25 artists and it became more of a gift shop than a gallery.
666 messages posted
United States of America
I think co-ops can be rather
daunting to young artists asked to
shell out money, ahead of time.
Some co-ops can work. We have one
in Miami called The
Bakehouse(sounds like a stoner
joint) that thrives on group shows
and community support. It also
offers studio/workspace at a very
low price.
But I've also seen a lot of shams, and have heard artists crying about how they got taken to the cleaners. I, myself, am not interested in communal display. Been there, done that.
But I've also seen a lot of shams, and have heard artists crying about how they got taken to the cleaners. I, myself, am not interested in communal display. Been there, done that.
10 messages posted
United States of America
about a year ago a "foundation"
(people with more dollars than
sense) from up north came to key
west, bought up a lot of property
and offered work space and group
shows to local artists. i got an
application in the mail and not
only did they want money for the
space but the artwork had to be
juried in for the shows. i was
rather put out by that and didn't
participate.
136 messages posted
United Kingdom
Thanks for the tip on photoblogg
Arthur, I'll have a look a bit
later! Back to showing work at
galleries I find despite the
countless letters I send to high
street galleries and building a PDF
catalog and visting a gallery in
person I have only had two replies.
One now shows my work and the other
emailed me back saying they didn't
diplay photographs, is this normal?
I'd rather get a negative response
than silence!!
666 messages posted
United States of America
When I worked as an illustrator,
I'd send out tons of query letters,
and got tons of silence. It got to
the point that I looked forward to
a rejection slip. Even started
collecting them.
With galleries, it's not much different. They claim to hate cold calls, that a proper artist should comport themselves, business-wise, in a business-like manner. But the bottom line is, they keep their foot firmly applied to the back of the door, and only open it to artists they think are bankable. It's an old Catch-22. You can't show until you've made it, you can't make it till you show.
With galleries, it's not much different. They claim to hate cold calls, that a proper artist should comport themselves, business-wise, in a business-like manner. But the bottom line is, they keep their foot firmly applied to the back of the door, and only open it to artists they think are bankable. It's an old Catch-22. You can't show until you've made it, you can't make it till you show.
10 messages posted
United States of America
no problem andrew.
speaking of rejection notices, have a look at this. . .
http://www.youtube.c om/watch?v=evL-WX_SWL4
speaking of rejection notices, have a look at this. . .
http://www.youtube.c om/watch?v=evL-WX_SWL4
136 messages posted
United Kingdom
Just watched the link Arthur, very
funny!! the cold call you mentioned
Joseph was mentioned by a number of
artist I show with in the summer.
So it seems galleries are cast in
the same mould! The rejection i had
from one of the galleries i didn't
like at first, but with time i did
respected them for answering me
back. I wonder if any of todays top
artists looked back on silence and
gave the silent galleries their had
the middle digital of silence.
666 messages posted
United States of America
You can't really get mad about it,
although it can be frustrating. If
you ran a grocery store, you
wouldn't stock it with 7 aisles of
chocolate covered oysters.
Eventually, someone with a taste
for them might come in and buy
some.
I've seen the coin from both sides. My gallery usually featured group shows, and most of my talent was unknown artists. I promoted the hell out of my shows, so I usually got a good crowd. But sales never were good enough, unfortunately. My most successful show was for a pottery guild, scheduled around Xmas. 2 dimensional art is always slow-moving.
I've seen the coin from both sides. My gallery usually featured group shows, and most of my talent was unknown artists. I promoted the hell out of my shows, so I usually got a good crowd. But sales never were good enough, unfortunately. My most successful show was for a pottery guild, scheduled around Xmas. 2 dimensional art is always slow-moving.
16 messages posted
United States of America
Finding your audience... that's the
trick.
There ARE people out there that dig the kind of art that you create (just as there ARE people that actually like chocolate covered oysters). The challenge is finding them. Once you find your niche market the selling is easy.
There ARE people out there that dig the kind of art that you create (just as there ARE people that actually like chocolate covered oysters). The challenge is finding them. Once you find your niche market the selling is easy.
136 messages posted
United Kingdom
Funny thing is last night I came
across an add about craft market
stalls. Phoned them up this morning
and they can supply a stall for
£25. they are a local trade group
so i believe they are not
con-artists. It's in the same place
I do a summer art show. Will be
booking for later this month, they
hire out the first and 3rd Sunday
of a month. It goes back to the
problem of outside, but will report
back if a hit or miss!
136 messages posted
United Kingdom
Well tried out the craft market at
the Pantiles today. Thing is to
remember about dispalying at an out
side event... Weather or not, The
weather forecast was so vague I
threw chance to the wind and webt
to the event. Time, 7.30 Sunday
morning, loading the car, then
drive, then unload car, find
cheapest parking spot. Set up, set
up stand and wait..... for loads of
interest but no sales!! Go home
have hot bath due to taking event
down, loading car, driving home,
unloading car and finally piling
every thing in the kitchen because
too tired to put it away. Well if
that still doesn't put you off then
you are as mad as me. I'm doing it
again 4 times next month!!
136 messages posted
United Kingdom
Don't pester the buyers! I was
contacted by a lady about buying a
photograph back in January. She was
buying the photograph as a present
and didn't want it until the
begining of May. I said no problem,
I would put it aside! A few weeks
pasted and she asked if I still had
it and did I want a deposite for
it? I said no. I didn't hear from
her and was starting to think maybe
I should of asked for a deposite.
But then this moring she contacted
me for a meeting on Wednesday to
buy the photograph. The question is
does one take a deposite or leave
it as an act of trust/frendship?
666 messages posted
United States of America
I would get a deposit, whenever
possible, just because of the
aggravation it can cause if you
don't. And make sure you tell them
it's non-refundable, so they don't
catch you short, at a later date.
798 messages posted
United Kingdom
Fester...I would not entertain
doing anything on commission
without a deposit...
The deposit is always non refundable this keeps away time wasters,and only encourages people who really do want your product.
Artwork already done and for sale online.... I do not send until I have recieved full payment including shipping and insurance.
If payment is by cheque I wait until the cheque is cleared before I dispatch products.
This has always been my business policy.
The deposit is always non refundable this keeps away time wasters,and only encourages people who really do want your product.
Artwork already done and for sale online.... I do not send until I have recieved full payment including shipping and insurance.
If payment is by cheque I wait until the cheque is cleared before I dispatch products.
This has always been my business policy.
136 messages posted
United Kingdom
Well I was starting to kick myself
thinking the customer wasn't coming
back, but the meeting is going
ahead tomorrow.I think you are both
right about business first. It will
be another up grade for me and my
web site, the first one was to
start placing a watermark on my web
images. Now the second is to take
deposites on reserves. And
especaily commissions,( I had
forgotten about those since I have
never had one!!).
666 messages posted
United States of America
You should view dealings in art,
the same way you would dealings in
any other matter(like selling your
car, etc. ). It can give a few
people the impression that you are
crassly commercialistic, but,
mostly, it will give people a
reliable image.
Georgia, do you have much knowledge of web business? Would like some input on the purchase of SEOs. Are they worth the money they charge?
Georgia, do you have much knowledge of web business? Would like some input on the purchase of SEOs. Are they worth the money they charge?
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