If you’re passionate about and good at creating art, then you’ve probably thought of making a living from starting your own business selling your artwork. Good artwork can fetch quite a lot of money, but it’s no secret that selling art successfully can be a challenge, even for the most talented of artists. In order to make sure that your business is set up for success, it’s important that you lay the right foundations when getting started. It can be daunting at first, so make sure that you approach your new venture with the right steps.
#1. Selling Your Art Online:
Thanks to arts and crafts focussed selling sites such as Etsy, selling your art online has never been easier. You can sell at online marketplaces, start your own e-commerce website, or use both to maximise your income. Many artists will have their own website along with using art selling platforms and marketplaces, as this makes it easier for them to build an online presence, network, and make a name for themselves in the art community. Plus, selling your art on your own website means that you can avoid paying often hefty marketplace fees.
#2. Putting Your Art Out There:
Once you have successfully created your own website and have laid the foundations for a strong online presence, you can use this to put your art out into the world and gain entry into art shows and galleries. The best way to do this is to start small – look into local businesses in your area that may be interested in displaying your work – concert venues, coffee shops, cafés, restaurants and salons are often looking for new artwork. Once you have some agreements in place, you can place a small sign with your name, website and telephone number next to each displayed piece.
#3. Selling Commissions:
If you have a knack for creating lifelike art from photographs, or can create a gorgeous piece to client requirements, then you might want to think about offering your services for commissioning art. This can be one of the best ways to make money as an artist as you already know that you have your client before you begin, compared to selling art that you’ve come up with yourself.
#4. Work with a Consultant:
It’s not uncommon for artists to feel a little nervous about pricing their art or getting started with their own business – if this sounds like you, then you could benefit from hiring a professional art consultant. They can work with you to determine how much your art is worth and the type of services you would benefit from offering.
#5. Protecting Yourself:
Finally, as an artist you don’t want to let yourself or your work go unprotected. It’s always worth looking into art insurance from a policy provider like Ecclesiastical if you are planning to display any of your original work at a business or gallery; this will ensure that you are compensated if anything goes wrong. And, it’s worth looking into copyright laws to make sure that you know what to do if anybody attempts to copy your work or pass it off as their own.
If you are a talented artist, selling your work can seem like a natural next step – but be prepared!