If you are looking to earn a substantial income from original art sales, you are likely looking to build a collector base. A collector base means that you have a group of people serious about following you and making repeat purchases of your work. But, how do you do this? How do you turn the random purchase here or there into a thriving collector base?
First Start with Your Website
Many artists tell me they want to “sell” their work, but I can’t find it when I look for their work online. In the past, it was possible to make sales without having a place where people could view your work online. However, that is no longer the case for most visual artists looking to sell work.
Use your Web Presence to Build Credibility
When thinking about building a presence online, creatives consider many factors, but one that may not seem so obvious is credibility. Dictionary.com defines credibility as the quality of being believable or worthy of trust. It helps to have credibility if you want to build a collector base.
Credibility as an artist can mean a lot of things to people thinking about purchasing your work, such as the following:
Will I get what I paid for?
Is it worth it?
Will this work increase in value?
Has this artist been recognized?
Will I be happy with the quality of my purchase?
While you probably are a credible person, there is no way for a stranger who finds you online to know this unless you give them reasons.
Here are some ways that you can show your credibility through your web presence:
- Share press releases and media coverage about your work.
- Post testimonials from happy customers.
- Provide images of your work in situ in your clients’ homes and businesses.
- Share awards and honors won.
- Outline special commissions or projects.
- Show images of you at work.
- Offer information about events where you are showing your artwork.
- Share information about the galleries that show your work.
One of the best ways to share this information is by sharing it first through your blog. Then send it out through your social media channels. As people view the progress you make and read about the activity, they will naturally begin to understand that you are a credible artist, and they will be more inclined to purchase your work.
A detailed blog that follows what you are doing ends up being a powerful living resume to which you can refer people when they want to learn more about what you’ve been up to over time. At this point, you’re not just telling them – you’re showing them what you do.
Where do you start?
If you’re not already in the practice of using a blog-based website and social media to make sure people are aware of what you are doing – thus bringing credibility to your work and business – start now. Most web-building platforms, such as WordPress.com, will allow you to create a blog page easily. Then, with a knowledge base or tutorial, you should have your blog up and running in no time. For more information on blogging, read my Artist Blogging 101 Series. For news and updates, please subscribe to my newsletter here.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
