Choosing the Right Online Platform
To choose the right online platform to sell your art, consider researching different online art marketplaces and understanding the platform’s fee structure and policies. By doing so, you can determine which platform aligns with your goals as an artist and provides you with the best opportunity to sell your artwork.
Researching Different Online Art Marketplaces
When selling art online, do your research to find the perfect fit. Here’s a table of popular marketplaces and their features:
| Platform | Commission Rate | Listing Fee | Traffic Volume | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artsy | 35% | $0 | 2.5 million | Collectors, curators, and galleries |
| Saatchi Art | 35% | $0 (with subscription) | 1 million+ | Buyers and collectors looking for emerging artists |
| Etsy | 5% + PayPal fee | $0.20 per listing | High | General audience seeking unique, handmade items |
| Redbubble | Varies on product type | $0 | High | Young, trendy audience |
Apart from fees and traffic, look into customization options for your shop or gallery. Some platforms may offer more design and branding flexibility.
Online art marketplaces have existed since the early 2000s. Artnet initially launched as a database before expanding into e-commerce. Many have followed, with varying success. Research to ensure you choose the right platform for your goals.
For a successful read-through of platform fees and policies, you’ll need a bottle of wine and a magnifying glass!
Understanding the Platform’s Fee Structure and Policies
To get the most out of online platforms, it’s key to understand their fees and policies. Here are some details:
| Platform | Fees | Policies |
|---|---|---|
| eBay | Listing fees, final value fees, payment processing fees | Seller protection policy, buyer protection policy |
| Etsy | Listings fees, transaction fees, payment processing fees | Seller protection policy, buyer protection policy, prohibited items list |
| Airbnb | Service fees for hosts and guests | Cancellation policy, host guarantee program, responsible hosting guidelines |
Fees and policies can differ between platforms. For instance, some may not have listing fees. Be sure to read policies thoroughly to avoid any account suspension caused by violations.
One eBay seller experienced this when they broke a rule about counterfeit items. As a result, their account was suspended and they lost access to their sales revenue. Understanding the platform’s policies can prevent such mistakes and ensure a successful journey.
Why even bother with a brand when you can just use a filter?
Building Your Online Brand
To build your online brand and attract more customers to your art, focus on developing a consistent aesthetic and creating descriptions and titles that sell. Consistency is key when it comes to building your brand, and this means taking a strategic approach to the images, tone and language you use across all your online platforms. In addition, crafting compelling descriptions and titles that draw viewers in can make all the difference when it comes to selling your art effectively.
Developing a Consistent Aesthetic
Creating an eye-catching, unified look for your online brand is essential to make a strong impression. This includes blending your colours, typefaces and pictures across your site, social media and advertising materials.
Having the same brand ‘vibe’ and style throughout your online presence helps people recognize and trust your business. You can do this by creating templates for social media posts, designing email signatures with coordinating fonts and colours, and keeping the same logo placement.
As well as consistent branding elements, adding unique visuals such as custom graphics or photography can help you stand out from competitors. A mood board of different inspirations can assist in developing visuals that suit your brand vision.
90% of UK consumers prefer brands they know when making purchase decisions (Statista). Having a consistent aesthetic for your online brand can lead to higher recognition and eventually better customer loyalty and sales.
Creating Descriptions and Titles That Sell
Creating catchy and interesting titles and descriptions is important for a successful online brand. They give potential customers their first impression of your business, so make sure they grab attention and convince them to click on your website.
Be descriptive and clear in what you’re offering. Instead of using generic words like “Great Prices” or “Amazing Deals”, use language that emphasizes the value of your product or service. For example: “Save 50% off all products today only”.
Don’t forget to add relevant keywords for SEO. This will help your listing rank higher on search engines like Google.
Keep it simple! Long titles can confuse people or make them lose interest. Use simple yet powerful language.
As an example, I once saw an e-commerce store selling artisanal chocolate truffles. Their title was “Indulge in our Handmade Artisanal Truffle Collection for a Decadent Treat“. I clicked through and bought something right away because the title made me hungry!
In conclusion, good titles and descriptions can attract customers. Think about what sets you apart from competitors and make it clear with engaging language, sticking to SEO guidelines. For your online listing, make sure it looks its best and is ready to wow.
Creating High-Quality Listings
To create high-quality listings for selling your artwork online, taking professional photos of your artwork and writing compelling product descriptions are essential. By capturing the beauty and details of your artwork through photos, you can attract potential buyers. Similarly, by using compelling product descriptions, you can evoke the emotions and feelings that your art conveys, persuading customers to invest in your work.
Taking Professional Photos of Your Artwork
It’s crucial to take high-quality photos of your artwork. Doing so can attract more buyers and strengthen your online presence. Here’s how:
- Prepare your workspace. It should be clean, bright and roomy. Be sure there’s nothing distracting in the background.
- Set up your equipment. Use a tripod to keep it steady and clear. Invest in a high-resolution camera or smartphone with good image quality. Test out natural and artificial lighting.
- Capture your artwork creatively. Take multiple shots from different angles, such as close-ups, full views, details. Try various lighting positions and camera settings to create a captivating composition.
Edit your images before you upload them to your listing. Adjust brightness/contrast, highlight colours, crop irrelevant backgrounds or reflections. This will make your art stand out uniquely.
Consider downloading ‘Snapseed’, ‘Afterlight’ or ‘Lightroom’, or hiring a professional photographer who specializes in artwork.
If you take professional-looking photos of your artwork, potential buyers will be attracted to it. So, make sure to make them look amazing!
Writing Compelling Product Descriptions
Crafting high-quality listings starts with compelling product descriptions. These give you a chance to showcase the features and benefits that set your product apart from the competition.
To make the most of your description:
- Write an attention-grabbing introduction, featuring the key selling points.
- Describe the product using vivid language.
- Tailor the tone to your target audience.
- Highlight any unique features that make the product special.
- Include social proof such as reviews or ratings.
- Be clear, concise and avoid jargon.
Also, ensure the description aligns with your brand messaging and values. Doing this will draw in potential customers and increase your chances of making a sale.
Before publishing, read the description carefully and ask yourself if it accurately portrays the product. Every word matters, so make sure each one counts!
Don’t miss out on potential sales by overlooking how important good product descriptions are. With the right details and creativity, you can achieve e-commerce success. Get writing!
Marketing Your Art Effectively
To market your art effectively, with a goal to sell it online, you need to know how to get people to see it. Utilising social media to build a following and reaching out to art blogs and influencers for exposure can be the perfect solution. These two sub-sections can help in promoting and gain recognition for your art.
Utilizing Social Media to Build a Following
Social media can be great for your art. Here’s what to do:
- Set up accounts on multiple social media sites.
- Post often and always be consistent with followers.
- Add hashtags to connect to potential fans.
- Share glimpses of your creative process.
- Team up with other artists or influencers in your area.
- Interact with followers and quickly answer their comments/messages.
Try something new! Share interesting facts about your art or creative process that haven’t been shared yet. Include exclusive updates, sneak peeks, or limited-time offers for followers only.
Don’t miss out! Start building your social media presence with these tips and watch your following expand. After all, if your art isn’t being blogged about, does it even exist?
Reaching Out to Art Blogs and Influencers for Exposure
As an artist, finding ways to get your work out there can be tricky. Reaching out to art blogs and influencers can help you expand your reach and gain exposure. Here’s how:
- Research blogs and influencers that relate to your style or genre
- Create a personal outreach message
- Offer something of value in exchange for support
Do your research. It’s important to find the right people who are into your type of art. Make sure your outreach message is unique and captures your personality, brand, and artwork. Offer something valuable in return, like a piece of artwork or a shoutout on your own social media channels.
Don’t be discouraged if some people don’t respond. Keep trying and you’ll eventually find someone who wants to feature you. Also, only reach out when you have newsworthy content or updates about your art career. Spamming them with too much info may put them off from future collaborations.
Social media has made it easier than ever to connect with bloggers and influencers who need great content. So take advantage of this powerful marketing strategy! Good customer service is like art – it takes patience, skill, and the ability to fake a smile when needed.
Providing Excellent Customer Service
To provide excellent customer service with How to sell your art online, promptly responding to customer inquiries and ensuring safe and timely shipping of artwork are essential. Customers expect prompt responses and timely delivery to create a positive impression and increase the likelihood of future sales. In this section, we’ll explore the two important sub-sections of customer service that can help you build a loyal customer base.
Promptly Responding to Customer Inquiries
When it comes to customer service, responding promptly is key. Customers want fast and efficient solutions. A business must invest in tools or staff to handle inquiries quickly.
One answer? Have a team dedicated to various customer queries. Make templates or FAQs to provide info without delay. Plus, use automated chatbots on websites and social media to help 24/7.
Another solution? Implement CRM software or tools. Automatically collect data, keep track of past interactions and monitor email, calls and social media. This saves time and improves service quality.
In short, responding quickly to customer inquiries should be a top priority for any business striving for excellent service. Lacking quick responses can lead to losses from unhappy customers. Investing in response management techniques is important. It helps retain customers and attract new ones.
Ensuring Safe and Timely Shipping of Artwork.
Shipping art can be scary. It’s key to make sure it arrives safely and on time. Use materials like foam, bubble wrap or custom-made crates that fit the size and weight. Get a shipping co. that specializes in art pieces. Tell the recipient the tracking number, estimated arrival date and time window. Require a signature or leave instructions if they’re not home. Avoid extreme temps or weather that can harm fragile items. Plan ahead since last-minute arrangements can lead to bad packaging and more costs.
Preserving art is important. Mona Lisa had guards and protective blocks when she went to Tokyo in ’74. It’s not only about safe transport, but also that historically significant pieces arrive undamaged.
The importance of proper packaging and reliable delivery can’t be overstated. Take precautions from packaging to delivery and your art will make it to its destination safely and quickly, unscathed.
