WANT TO GROW YOUR ART BUSINESS?
7 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER DO | Photos | Commissions | Customers | Feedback | Art Descriptions
As a professional artist for lo-these past 15+ years, I’ve picked up a tip and technique (or 200) and I’d like to share what I’ve found to be true. These are my top seven tips (a good start) to running a successful art business that not only stays in business, but makes you and your customers happy!
You can apply this to hobbyists, professionals, crafters, Etsy sellers, dabblers and wanna-be pros. Keep this handy to review as it can help keep you on track in your art career.
1. MY PHOTOS AREN’T GREAT, BUT THEY ARE GOOD ENOUGH
No. Nope. No way. Not true. Get that right out of your head.
If you are selling art you must understand one thing above all: YOUR PHOTOS ARE KEY. If you don’t spend time to get good ones you will miss out on sales. Period.
Art is visual, so create a beautiful visual when you promote your art. Do not settle for less than ideal. Learn some basic photo editing and create a signature finished look for each and every artwork. Don’t embellish your art; but showcase it by creating a simple background with your name and piece. (Scroll down a few paragraphs to see how I display all of my for-sale art.)
2. ART BUYERS: YOU CANNOT PLEASE THEM ALL
Honestly, when you are in business for any length of time and have significant business, you will get someone who isn’t happy. It’s a fact. No matter how hard you try (and it has nothing to do with your talent), they just won’t be pleased.
You can offer a gracious apology, replacement piece or refund, but their comments (and feedback) can sometimes sting. I can’t say it won’t muddle around in your head and ruin your day because it probably will. Sorry!
The thing to remember is, whenever I’m shopping for something online, I read reviews. There are usually a few bad ones mixed in. I read those and see if they have validity.
If there are at least 80% good reviews and just a smattering of unhappy ones, I ignore and buy anyway! Your job is to make sure that ratio is always strong for you regardless of what a few unhappy people throw your way.
People will buy from those who do good work, treat them well (as a valued customer) and they will overlook a few bad reviews (especially obvious trolls or those who live in a cloud negativity – you can spot them in a micro-minute!).
3. THE CUSTOMER IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT
Hear me: Do not try to accommodate ALL customer requests. When you first start out you want to earn business and make money, but as time goes by, you learn where to pick and choose your preferred projects. Creating your art is a unique-to-you proposition.
I’ve had people send me pictures of other people’s art and ask if I could “do that?” Yes, I probably could, but it’s not really what I do and nor do I wish to. It’s a slap in the face of the other artist and a slap to me, too.
While I politely decline these projects, I do know that when someone just needs something “blue and grey” to hang over their new grey sofa, that is a great time to suggest a unique creation, perhaps incorporating aspects of the other art with my own custom work for them.
If you cannot accommodate, then don’t. Spend the time cultivating customers who value what YOU do. That may sound like an extravagance when you are just starting out, but trust me, if you follow this rule from the get-go, you will be sooo much happier!
4. I FOUND THIS CHEAPER ELSEWHERE (No, you didn’t)
This is big on sites like Etsy, etc. Someone will come to me an ask for a large custom-painted canvas and then start to tell me how so-and-so will do it cheaper.
No, this is not an assembly line (like some mass-produced art found on Etsy, Amazon, etc.). This is not Wal-Mart where comparative shopping and bargains abound.
This is custom work that takes my time, energy, effort, tools, experience, dedication and professionalism to complete – JUST FOR YOU.
CUSTOM WORK = CUSTOM PRICES: Keep that in mind and don’t feel obligated to meet other artist’s prices or offerings. As the saying goes, YOU DO YOU.
Trust me, the minute you take a commission for less than you feel you deserve, you will regret it and hate doing the project. Unless you are literally starving and need the money (which I understand as we all have those times), don’t do it.
Buyers have budgets, too.
I do appreciate that buyers have budgets and I’m happy to work with them. But don’t allow buyers to continue to ask for lower prices for the same work/size. It’s not fair and it won’t create a happy working relationship.
4. FREEBIES, FREEBIES EVERYWHERE
There is a lot of free, great information out there (this post, case-in-point). I love a freebie and helpful info (thanks, Youtube) for learning and growing just as much as anyone.
However, there comes a time when you have to outlay some cash to move to the next level. Always using freebie tools and never paying for the really helpful stuff can keep you from growing and eventually it will show in your business.
Professionals spend money to keep up and so should you. Take classes, buy good quality products and tools. They will take you up a notch (or three).
5. SOCIAL MEDIA = THIEF
Yes, social media can be helpful and a great resource to showing the world your art and your process, but it also a notoriously bad way to spend your valuable time.
Scrolling social posts, images, liking, commenting, sharing…a waste of valuable time.
Think of it like brushing your teeth: It’s necessary to get it done (and done well), but not something you want to spend hours doing. Spend 10 minutes a day, post, comment, share where needed and move on!
blah, blah, blah
6. DO ART DESCRIPTIONS MATTER? Yes and no.
I’ve read both:
The art description that waxes poetic for seven long (yawn) paragraphs about the world, their view on it, all it’s injustices and how their art somehow helps solve that. OK, sure.
Then there is the empty, almost zero description. Like, dude, tell me something about this piece. Something. Anything?
Neither is right, in my opinion. When I list, I do tell about the piece: medium, size, colors, texture type, etc. Sometimes I write a little about the feeling/inspiration behind it; many times I do not.
Does one tend to sell better than the other? No. I don’t think so.
I think people will buy what they like and what works for them regardless of the flowery description.
Use your own judgement but don’t get caught up in writing a book about each work. Sometimes (and I think usually), the art speaks for itself.
7. BE PROFESSIONAL
How NOT to respond to a question from a potential buyer
Do not respond to requests and potential collectors with a terse, thumb-typed, error-laden text. It screams “I JUST CAN’T BE BOTHERED.”
While you don’t have to spend lots of time, and texting an answer is just fine, do it with your most professional presence. Just as you would never send a resume for a coveted job with errors, typos, no caps, etc., respond to your customers with the same professional attitude and demeanor.
Doing so will scream: I AM A PROFESIONAL ARTIST AND I CARE.
Also, be prompt. If someone asks a question, get back to them within 24 hours (at a maximum). People will move on and art is a competitive area. If you cannot answer them, they will find someone who can…and probably give them the sale.
To learn more about my art, visit my site: https://abstractart.live
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3 replies on “GROW YOUR ART BUSINESS | 7 Things You Should Never Do”
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