You’ve heard it before, and I’ll say it again: success is all about networking, networking, networking! The necessity of connecting the seller with the buyer and the advertiser with the consumer goes without saying. Plus your product must be available in as many different locations as possible.
I have an account on Zazzle where I’ve sold several small
items and T-shirts from some of my drawings. The earnings are small, but it is
gratifying to know that my cartoon characters are used and enjoyed.
Placing your artwork in several venues is not only smart,
it’s vital to get your name out there. Making connections with as many people
as possible is the only way to move your career along. I show on Etsy, Red
Bubble, Fine Art America, and have two more sites in the works in addition to
my blog.
Explore different sites, and place your articles and
images where you get the most bang for your buck. I find the most difficult
part is finding the time to paint or draw each day. Marketing takes a big hunk
out of my week, and I’m sure out of yours, too. Without marketing, there are no
sales, no exposure.
Like most artists, I have more ideas than I can ever paint.
Storage is another problem: how and where to store your canvases and artwork so
they are protected from the elements and from close proximity with other
images. I’d love to hear your ideas!
One solution is to
have as many of your paintings in galleries and shows as possible. I keep a
record of where each image is placed, its cost, and how long the painting will
be at that location. Sometimes a venue may be long, such as a placement at a
company or a restaurant. At other times, the venue is limited to one month.
Keeping your artwork visible and active is essential if you want sales and
exposure.
Membership in more than one Art League or with charitable
organizations that use art to raise money provides more opportunity for
visibility. I got an email a few days ago from one such gallery sponsoring a “membership
show” in the coming month. Never let an opportunity slip from your grasp; work
harder and smarter in order to have enough artwork in your inventory to participate.
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