We live in a digital world, and that means there are more opportunities than ever before to sell your art online. As an artist, you can reach a global audience of potential buyers, and sell your work without ever having to leave your home.
One thing that you need to understand as an artist is that to succeed in art, you must also succeed in business. And many artists are afraid of selling because they don't have a clear roadmap or they are worried about making a mistake.
Here are the 7 steps of creating a roadmap that will turn your passion into a profession:
1. Finding Your Style
A unique selling proposition is a key to success in any industry, and the art world is no exception. You need to find your own voice and develop a style that is distinctly yours. This will make it easier for you to stand out from the crowd and attract attention from potential buyers.
To do that, you can try limiting your drawings to a certain color palette or experimenting with different mediums, such as lines and texture.
You can also create a body of work around a specific theme or subject matter. The key is to find a way to make your work unique and memorable.
2. Identifying Your Niche
Identifying your niche is another important step in developing your business strategy. Once you've found your style, you need to find a market for it.
Do some research and find out what type of art is in demand and who your target audience is. Once you know this, you can start creating pieces that appeal to these buyers.
You can also start targeting specific galleries or online marketplaces that are a good fit for your work.
Having a niche makes it easier to build your fan base. And as your fan base grows, so does your audience of potential buyers. You will see that people are more likely to purchase art that resonates with them on a personal level.
3. Creating Value & Demand
You have to let people know why they should be interested in your work before expecting them to buy from you. It's not enough to simply create beautiful art and put it out there.
You need to be able to articulate what makes your work unique and valuable.
One way to do this is by developing a story around your work.
Why are you an artist?
What drives you to create?
When people understand your passion, they are more likely to connect with your work on a deeper level and be interested in purchasing it.
4. Productizing your visuals
As an artist, you need to productize your visuals to give people a tangible way to connect with your work. There are two types of products you can create:
1) Physical Prints
Physical prints are products that you can touch and hold. These include art prints, custom apparel, and other physical products that feature your artwork.
2) Digital Downloads
Digital downloads are products that you can download and use however you please. These include NFTs, logo files, and other digital assets that feature your artwork.
Try both types of products and see what works best for you and your audience.
5. Deciding on which platform to sell
Now that you have a body of work to sell, you need to decide on which platform will be the best fit for you. There are many different platforms to choose from, each with its own set of pros and cons.
Some of the most popular platforms include:
1) Redbubble
2) Etsy
3) Shopify
The key is to find a platform that caters to your needs and gives you the best opportunity to reach your target audience. Make sure to do your research and compare different platforms before making a decision.
6. Building a Sales Funnel
Whatever platform you choose, no method sells for you without effort.
A sales funnel is a process that you can use to turn strangers into buyers. It's a way to guide people through your marketing and lead them to a purchase.
Build a funnel that will create:
• Awareness
• Interest
• Desire
• Action
Your funnel should be tailored to your audience and the type of work you're selling. Experiment with different methods and see what works best for you.
7. Having a marketing strategy
You can have the best products in the world, but if no one knows about them, you won't make any sales. That's why it's important to have a marketing strategy in place.
There are many different marketing channels you can use to reach your target audience. Some of the most popular include:
1) Content Marketing
2) Email Marketing
3) Influencer Marketing
4) Paid Advertising
You need to be consistent with your marketing efforts if you want to see results. Once you have a plan in place, make sure to stick to it and track your progress.
You'll be surprised at how much progress you can make with a little bit of effort.
Conclusion
Selling your art can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following these steps, you'll be on your way to selling your work and reaching new fans.
Just remember to be patient, stay focused, and always keep marketing.
Good luck!