For a sustaining market, be it local or online, without adequate demand, there won’t be a considerable gain in profit. Meanwhile, online art is a bit different because not all artists want to make money or be recognised; some may do it as part of their passion. On the other hand, others might look forward to creating a career by selling their unique designs online, like the famous Megan Hess prints making their rounds in Australia. And although most of these beginner artists have some relevant skills in the background, like graphic designing or painting, others have started their works from scratch and paved their way up.
So, the art industry is not only highly competitive but also more prone to economic changes too. A simple shift in demand can have a drastic impact on the industry, as was evident in Australia during the onset of the pandemic. And, this is all the more reason why online traffic is the best source of income for new and aspiring artists.
Selling Art Online
During the initial stages, the process might be interesting and may even receive several demands. But, the real problem arises when this trend doesn’t continue as months progress and artists are stuck with no demands within a short period. But not to worry! This article highlights some of the best things to do when it comes to marketing art online. And for the sake of simplicity, consider two important points on art marketing:
- Finding the right type of audience
- Building recognition and value.
Finding the Right Type of Audience:
Without a considerable majority who don’t appreciate or demand content, there is no use putting out regular artworks every day, so:
Fixate On What’s Interesting: Every artist has a niche when it comes to art. Some may excel in naturalistic paintings, others in erotica, and many make a living by designing patterns like the Megan Hess prints for renowned textiles or brands. So, finding the right interest can narrow down the scope of work and makes it easier to focus on a market instead of fishing for leads on a broader horizon.
Finding The Right Theme: Take a look at some of the artworks you’ve done before, and you may find a pattern or area that you can gravitate towards. Meanwhile, this could be in the form of a professional setting or as a hobby or side hustle.
The Right Style: The tools used, the colours and the medium all affect the final artwork. And, the greater the unique artistic style present, the more people will appreciate the uniqueness, and they’ll be drawn towards the personal touch.
Building Recognition and Value:
Once the right type of audience is built, the next thing to look into is how to create a mass following of art lovers and dedicated customers. And these pointers mentioned below will give a useful head start:
- Create a website or a webpage that depicts the personal interests and works of the artist. The webpage is the portfolio visible to the audience, so make sure that it’s a good one.
- Set up a web store where online visitors can look into art pieces for sale. Also, don’t expect much revenue initially, but it’s a good way to secure a linear transaction.
- Take part in art competitions where winners are usually promoted or recognised for their works; it’s one of the best ways to expose one’s art to the public. Besides, it’s not a bad idea to work with other artists to create a collaborative project, either.
- Get involved with volunteering and draw pieces or prints for charity and other non-profit works. Social media, marketing pages and other websites are also tools for effective marketing so use them wisely.