When I first decided that I wanted to make art my career, one thing I did was read as much as I could about how to sell art. I Googled "selling art" "selling art online" "how to sell art" "tips for selling art" etc... I must have read literally hundreds of articles. This one is a little different - this is about things NOT to do if you want to make a career out of your art. Some things you shoudn't do are as important as the things you should do!
#1 - Don't take advice on how to sell art from people who don't make their living selling art!
When you make it known that you're starting to sell your art, there's always a friend, or relative, acquaintance, art fan or someone else who will want to give you well meaning advice. At first when you're new to selling art, it can be tempting to take it! After all, you're probably just starting out when it comes to marketing your art.
Most of the time it's going to be bad advice. Making a living from art is a combination of many things, and the most valuable asset an artist has is time. Don't waste your valuable time on bad advice, seek advice from an artist who makes their living from art. Better yet, from many artists who make their living from their art.
#2 - Don't expect to sell art if you don't give your pieces prices.
What I'm trying to say is - give your art prices! After a person decides they like the art, the next most important piece of information they'll need to make a decision to purchase is the price. Don't make people ask you for a price, as much as possible make it visible when you display your art for sale, whether online or in person.
There's tons of reasons someone might be shy about asking you for a price. Maybe they're shy in general. Maybe they think if there's no price, it's not for sale, or, already sold. Maybe they don't want to bother you by asking. Maybe at an event they think there's some price guide they're supposed to have and if they ask you, you'll think they're stupid for not having the guide that doesn't exist. Maybe at an event you're already busy talking with someone else when they walk by your table/booth.
Especially for first time art buyers, buying art can seem intimidating. Approaching an artist can seem intimidating. Your job is to make it as easy as possible for people to buy your art. Make your prices visible.
#3 - Don't put your art/photography for sale in non art centered venues
For this I mean places like cafes, restaurants, dentist's offices etc... This a super common piece of advice you'll get from people who don't make their living selling art. (see #1! lol) Unless there's a cafe that's also well established as an art gallery - stay away from putting your art in places like that. People go to cafes to have a $2 coffee, not to buy a $200 or $2000 painting. People go to get their teeth fixed at the dentist, not buy art. Businesses are places that should have budgets for decor and can even write off art as a business expense. If they like your art enough to hang it on the wall, sell them some, don't give it to them for free!
Between online platforms geared towards selling art, local craft fairs and art shows, and social media, there's plenty of other ways to get your art in front of people who are already potentially interested in buying - or at least looking at - art. Remember time is a valuable asset, use it to focus on things that have a higher chance of working. Can you sell art at a cafe? Yes, maybe, if you're lucky. You can also find a $100 bill on the ground if you're lucky, but I wouldn't advise people to walk around downtown looking for $100 bills as a career. lol
Found this helpful? Now here's one thing TO do - Re-Steem this post to help other artists and photographers in your network of friends & followers! -Adam
Want to learn more about how to turn your art into a career? I offer art business consulting services to help you learn how to handle pricing, how to get commissions, attract art collectors, use social media to sell art, earn residual income from your art, get prints and other merchandise made with your art, build a brand around your art, pack & ship art worldwide and more! Just visit https://www.nexusvisions.com/artsalesadvice