Earning a Living as an Artist: How to Make Money Creating and Selling Art Online
The world of art is constantly evolving, and with the rise of the internet, it has become easier than ever for artists to make money creating and selling art online. The internet has opened up new opportunities for artists to reach a global audience and sell their work without the need for a physical gallery or brick-and-mortar store.
There are a variety of different methods for earning income through online art sales. These include setting up an online art business, utilizing social media to promote and sell art, participating in online art marketplaces, and building a community and network. Each of these methods has its own advantages and can be used to reach different audiences and sell different types of art.
For example, setting up an online art business allows for more control over the branding and messaging, and direct relationship with customers, while participating in online art marketplaces can give access to a large audience and simplify the selling process. Utilizing social media can help in reaching a wider audience and building a personal brand, while building a community and network can lead to new opportunities such as collaborations and cross-promotions. In this blog post, we will be diving into each of these methods in more detail and provide tips and strategies for making money creating and selling art online. Whether you are an established artist or just starting out, there is an opportunity for you to turn your passion for art into a profitable business.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be financial advice and should not be relied upon as such. Always consult with a financial advisor before making any financial decisions. Additionally, this blog post contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or services that we believe will add value to our readers
Setting up an online art business
One of the most important steps in making money creating and selling art online is setting up an online art business. This can include creating a website or online store to sell art, as well as developing a brand and marketing strategy.
Steps for creating a website or online store to sell art:
Choose a website builder or e-commerce platform: There are a variety of options available such as Squarespace, Shopify, and Wix, each with their own pros and cons. It's important to research and choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.
Design your website: Once you have chosen a website builder, you can start designing your website. Make sure to choose a clean, modern layout that showcases your art in the best possible way.
Add your art: Once your website is set up, you can start adding your art. Make sure to include high-quality photographs of your artwork, along with descriptions and pricing information. Set up a payment system: To be able to sell your art on your website, you need to set up a payment system. You can use platforms such as PayPal or Stripe to process payments.
Tips for taking high-quality photographs of artwork:
Use natural light: Avoid using flash and instead, take photos in natural light to bring out the true colors of your artwork.
Use a tripod: To keep your camera steady and avoid blurry photos.Use a high-resolution camera: This will ensure that your photos are clear and crisp.
How to price artwork for online sales:
Research the market: Look at other artists in your genre and see how they are pricing their work.
Consider the medium and size: Oil paintings will generally be priced higher than prints, and larger pieces will be priced higher than smaller ones.
Factor in your costs:
Make sure to factor in your costs for materials and time spent creating the piece when determining the price.
Be consistent:
Once you have determined the prices for your art, be consistent and make sure you are charging the same amount for similar pieces.
By following these steps and tips, you can set up a professional-looking website or online store that will attract potential customers and help you make money creating and selling art online.
Utilizing social media to promote and sell art
Social media has become a powerful tool for promoting and selling art online. Building a social media following and utilizing platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and others, can help artists reach a wider audience and connect with potential customers and art buyers.
Importance of building a social media following: Social media allows artists to connect with potential customers, art buyers, and other artists in a way that was not possible before.
Building a following on social media can help artists grow their brand and reputation, which can lead to more sales and opportunities.
Social media can also be used to promote upcoming shows, events, and exhibitions, and allow artists to share behind-the-scenes content with their followers.
Best practices for promoting art on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms: Use high-quality images. Make sure to use high-quality images of your artwork to showcase it in the best possible light.
Use hashtags: Use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience and make it easier for people to find your art.Use Instagram Stories and IGTV: Instagram Stories and IGTV allow you to share behind-the-scenes content, offer sneak peeks, and connect with your audience on a personal level
Use Facebook groups. Join groups related to art, and post your art there, it can lead to getting new customers and buyersHow to use social media to connect with potential customers and art buyers.
Engage with your followers:
Respond to comments and messages, and engage in conversations with your followers.
Collaborate with other artists. Collaborating with other artists can help you reach new audiences and connect with potential customers and art buyers.
Offer special promotions and discounts. Use social media to offer special promotions and discounts to your followers. Share your process.
Share your process, from the initial sketch to the final piece, it can lead to building a connection and trust with your followers.
By utilizing social media to promote and sell art, artists can reach a wider audience, connect with potential customers and art buyers, and grow their online art business.
Participating in online art marketplaces
Online art marketplaces such as Etsy, Society6, and Redbubble provide artists with an easy and cost-effective way to sell their art online. These marketplaces have a large audience of potential customers and provide a platform for artists to showcase and sell their work without the need to set up their own website or online store.
Overview of popular art marketplaces: Etsy is a popular marketplace for handmade goods, including art. Artists can set up a shop and sell their art as prints, originals, and digital downloads.
Society6: Society6 is a marketplace that specializes in art prints and home decor. Artists can upload their art and Society6 will handle the printing, shipping, and customer service.Redbubble: Redbubble is a marketplace that allows artists to sell their art on a variety of products such as t-shirts, phone cases, and mugs.How to set up a shop on an online marketplace:
Register: Register for an account on the marketplace you choose, and then set up your shop by following the steps provided. List your art: Once your shop is set up, you can start listing your art for sale. Make sure to include high-quality images of your artwork and accurate descriptions. Set your prices: Each marketplace has its own fee structure, and it's important to factor in the costs when setting your prices. Follow the marketplace's guidelines: Each marketplace has its own set of guidelines for selling, make sure to follow them to avoid any issues.
Tips for optimizing visibility and sales on online marketplaces:
Use relevant keywords in your listing titles and descriptions to make it easier for customers to find your art.Use tags: Use tags to help your art show up in search results.Use good quality images: Make sure to use high-quality images of your artwork to showcase it in the best possible light.
Be active on the marketplace by responding to customer inquiries, posting new art, and engaging with your audience.Participating in online art marketplaces can be a great way for artists to reach a larger audience and sell their art without the need for a website or online store. By following these tips, artists can optimize their visibility and increase their sales on these platforms.
Building a community and network
Building a community and network is an important aspect of making money creating and selling art online. Connecting with other artists and art professionals online can help artists grow their brand and reputation, and lead to new opportunities such as collaborations and cross-promotions.
How to connect with other artists and art professionals online: Join online art communities: Join online art communities such as Facebook groups, Instagram groups, and forums to connect with other artists and art professionals.
Attend virtual events and webinars: Attend virtual events and webinars related to art to meet other artists and art professionals.Follow artists and art professionals on social media: Follow other artists and art professionals on social media to stay up to date on their work and connect with them.
Importance of networking and building relationships in the art world:
Networking can lead to new opportunities such as collaborations, exhibitions, and commissions.
Building relationships with other artists and art professionals can help artists gain visibility and credibility in the art world.Networking can also provide support and mentorship from experienced artists.
Tips for collaborating and cross-promoting with other artists: Collaborate on a project: Collaborate with another artist on a project, it can lead to reaching new audiences and gaining visibility.Cross-promote each other's work: Share each other's work on social media and in your newsletters to reach new audiences.
Organize a joint exhibition or show: Organize a joint exhibition or show to showcase your work together and reach new audiences.By building a community and network, artists can connect with other artists and art professionals, gain new opportunities, and reach new audiences.
Collaborating and cross-promoting with other artists can lead to new opportunities and help grow an artist's online art business.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we have discussed various ways for artists to make money creating and selling art online. From setting up an online art business, to utilizing social media, participating in online art marketplaces, and building a community and network, there are many opportunities for artists to turn their passion for art into a profitable business.
The key takeaways from this post include. Setting up an online art business and creating a website or online store to sell art.Utilizing social media to promote and sell art by building a following and connecting with potential customers and art buyers.
Participating in online art marketplaces such as Etsy, Society6, and Redbubble to reach a larger audience and make sales without the need for a website or online store.
Building a community and network by connecting with other artists and art professionals online, networking, and collaborating with other artists.Making money creating and selling art online may seem daunting, but by taking the first steps and utilizing the tips and strategies discussed in this post, artists can start to build a sustainable online art business.
Remember, it takes time and effort to build an online presence and a brand, but with persistence and dedication, the possibilities are endless.