If you’re an artist looking to sell your work online, there are plenty of ways to go about it, but not all of them are effective. Your skill with a paintbrush or pencil might make you the envy of your artistic friends, but if you want to make money from your artistic skills, you’ll need to know how to sell your art online. Luckily, there are many ways to do this; in fact, many artists have found success by selling their work online and avoiding galleries and other traditional avenues altogether.
The art world can be tricky, especially if you’re new to the game and don’t know what to expect from salespeople and dealers. Make sure you do your research before trying out any of these methods, as this list of ways for artists to sell their creative art online will help you better determine which strategies may be right for you and your artistic business.
Build an eCommerce Website
Create a professional-looking website that showcases your art or craft and allows customers to purchase it directly. Many small businesses start their eCommerce stores on Shopify, a popular, easy-to-use platform with hundreds of customizable templates. Selling on platforms like Etsy or eBay is another popular way artists can showcase their work while facilitating direct sales. You can build your own website solely for your work or hire an eCommerce web design agency that follows standard business practices like testing landing pages to see which types of designs attract more potential customers. Some companies can design that for you, so your content draws in visitors.
Collaborate With Influencers Who Have Art Content
It can be hard finding a way to get an audience to buy your creative art when you’re just starting online. It might take some time to find your niche as an artist. One easy way is by collaborating with bloggers who already have a large following in your particular field of artistic expertise. Consider how many followers they have on Instagram or Facebook and reach out with a proposal that will work well for both parties.
Start a Facebook Page
Set up a Facebook page for your art and use relevant hashtags on Instagram and Twitter. For example, if you paint in watercolors, make sure to tag your photos with #watercolorpainting. Facebook allows you to directly link users to where they can buy your work online or find it at a local shop. Posting regularly will also help keep people coming back—and is also great practice.
Advertise on Instagram
Using a social media account with a large following is a great way to reach potential buyers and build an audience. A common misconception about selling your work online is that you have to have an established following before you start selling. In reality, you can use Instagram’s advertising options to pay when users engage with your post, so as soon as you create your first post, it’s easy to promote on social media sites like Instagram.
Make a TikTok Account
The TikTok mobile app is insanely popular and brings over 100 million users per day. Teens and young adults mostly use it, but artists have started using it more and more as a platform to showcase their work. Whether it’s painting or sculpting, a TikTok account is one of your best bets for selling your art. You can create content showing how you make your art, or even buy the materials and show them how you start the process, then upload it directly to share with your fans.
Consistency Is Key
If you’re trying to sell your art online, one of your most powerful marketing tools is your website. But before you can start getting sales and fans through that channel, you have to have a functional website where customers can buy from you or view more information about your art.
Make an Etsy Account
The go-to site for artists and crafters looking to sell their work online, Etsy boasts a large community of makers and art lovers. You’re tapping into a ready-made customer base by listing your products on Etsy. In return, your artwork will receive more exposure than if it was posted solely on your website or social media accounts.
Create Beautiful Packaging
When someone buys a piece of your work, you want them to feel like they’re buying more than just a product. You want them to feel like they’re buying into your vision. So package it with care, and make sure that it looks just as good on their shelf as it did in person. To seal that wowing factor even further, include a little extra, whether an informational card or business card that showcases your other works or a cute note.
There are many ways you can use your artistic talents online, from selling art directly on sites like Etsy or through platforms like Facebook and Instagram. If you’re looking to sell your creative art online, try posting images of your work on social media channels and adding links to purchase prints or download high-resolution versions.