We’re not all blessed with a discerning, appreciative eye for great art. In fact, some of us are even comfortable with admitting that, more often than not, we don’t get the latest sculpture made from coat hangers, or the painting which is simply several dots on an otherwise blank canvas.
But though we might find ourselves feeling a little out of depth at the Tate Modern or New York’s MoMA, we’d still love to have some funky, interesting pieces hanging up at home. And in the past year, the way in which we buy and sell those pieces has changed irrevocably, with museums and galleries fighting for survival and relying on online sales to make money.
Regardless of people’s taste in art, one thing’s for sure, from high priced fine art to niche crafts, more art is being sold online than at galleries right now. If you’ve created pieces that you’re intending to sell on for profit, or you’re simply having a clearout and are wondering where to advertise your art for sale and how to distribute it to buyers, then you’ve come to the right place; here are 5 tips for selling art online.
START A ECOMMERCE WEBSITE
No surprise here, but it bears repeating nonetheless; one of the first steps of selling art online is to have a website showcasing your art. Since the majority of physical spaces able to display your wares are currently closed, think of your website as your very own online gallery.
If you truly want to inspire confidence in potential customers and sell as many pieces as possible, then it needs to be one which runs smoothly, slickly and speedily. Your website also helps you effectively convey the essence of your art in an appealing, visual and easily accessible way. Therefore, it’s worth hiring a graphic designer to build your website, so they can realise your vision succinctly.
SELL THINGS ON ONLINE MARKETPLACES LIKE ETSY
What started as a little corner of the internet for arts and crafts nerds to hang out and show off their wares has now turned into now a multi-million dollar company and the ideal place for artists of a certain calibre to meet potential customers.
Online marketplaces like Etsy are a go-to place for painters and artists of all kinds to showcase their work. It offers the opportunity for creators to connect with thousands of potential customers directly, and is known for its hand-crafted, handmade and hand designed aesthetic. Make sure you’re on it.
Of course, Facebook Marketplace and eBay are also your friend when selling items. Check out these 5 tips for selling things on eBay for more.
SAVVY SOCIAL MEDIA USE
With 45% of the world (a whopping 3.48 billion) now having a social media account and millions scrolling through their feeds at any given moment, it would be financial suicide not to be harnessing the power of the click, constantly and consistently.
While there are plenty of paid options to promote your art on social media, you should only do so with scrupulous tracking of analytics to assess whether the reach of such posts of your unique designs and creations is actually worth your investment.
You might find that you could achieve the same reach via free social media channels; making an Instagram and Facebook page (we all have one, right?) is easy and needn’t cost you a penny.
Just ensure your page is captivating and unique, as there’s a pretty massive crowd out there to stand out from. If you’re thinking about investing your advertising budget in social media, make sure your posts display your art in an eye-catching, immediately impactful way. Otherwise, folk are just going to scroll on by.
ONLINE GALLERIES ARE KEY
Galleries and auction houses regularly host online sales. Here, artists are given the opportunity to showcase their art through secure and reliable online galleries, such as that of Apeironart, and sell their work to collectors and lovers of their art via a safe, secure platform. Make sure you’re doing the same.
FIND THE RIGHT COURIER
Once you’ve sold your pieces online, then it’s essential to find a reliable courier to get them to the buyer safely and in one piece. You don’t want your art arriving at its new home damaged or broken; this will do nothing for your credibility and you’ll likely have to foot the bill for a replacement. To access the most efficient delivery routes to your destination, fast route planners can help shave some valuable minutes off your artwork’s journey.
If you’re selling via eBay, you can use the company’s dedicated label printing and drop-off system, Packlink. Similarly, Etsy offer a courier service in partnership with DHL – you just have to link accounts first.
Alternatively, check out Royal Mail’s dedicated service for those selling online marketplace items which includes Click and Drop and same day courier options.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Selling art online offers artists the freedom to promote their art from the comfort of home, and removes the barriers between buyer and seller created by geographical boundaries and distances. During a period of closure for galleries and other public art spaces, moving your artistic operation online makes a lot of sense.