Comments on: Artists Marketing Directly to Fans

By: Welcome IWTYTBR Readers

Welcome IWTYTBR Readers — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:55:48 +0000

[...] to sell his work. 4. An Interview with Christy Klug – handmade metal jewelry artist. 5. Artists Marketing Directly to Fans – a profile of artists who are doing an amazing job of building up their fan base and [...]

By: Sell Art Online for Free | The Abundant Artist

Sell Art Online for Free | The Abundant Artist — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:30:26 +0000

[...] are a lot of artists who are selling their art online for free, without paying a management fee or doing other things, but they have more than paid for it in [...]

By: Patricia

Patricia — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:47:37 +0000

Bo, I hadn’t heard of these before now. I am definitely going to look into them. thanks for mentioning these two sites.
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..October’s Opals and Tourmalines Part I =-.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:43:49 +0000

It’s true there is a dichotomy, especially at Etsy and I personally would not put all of my effort to just one site. Rather, I think one can use etsy to hone one’s selling skills, meet other art colleagues, and find a niche in the larger etsy community. Etsy is not juried. 1000Markets, however, is and even if a given artist still has non-art sources of income, the expectation is that 1000Markets artists and artisans are seeking a different market with a more serious, (although that may not be the best word) intent. As for me, I have both etsy and 1000Markets shops as well as a website (somewhat overdue for an overhaul but I’ll get to that probably after this holiday season). For an emerging artist like myself (or, really, any relatively unknown artist) the imperative is to be seen and become known. Thus a large footprint or, failing that, a great many of them, is very likely something of a necessity. In other words “multiple streams of income” from one’s art from multiple sources.

Perhaps it’s closest analogy would be having work in multiple galleries in multiples cities/countries but without the gallery being the middleman.

Finally, all these online markets and marketing have to be integrated with offline marketing and promotion as well. If this can be accomplished, I think the artist is in good shape.
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..October’s Opals and Tourmalines Part I =-.

By: Bo Insogna

Bo Insogna — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:34:52 +0000

Things are going well. But I would like them to go better. And I know it is out there. The selling art mall types, the only ones that work for me are the ones that have your own private gallery. So when you get the customer there they see your work and not all the ” hobbyists” with work prices way to low. So far for me is has been Redbubble and ImageKind.

By: theabundantartist

theabundantartist — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:16:35 +0000

You have a good attitude Bo. Is your business doing well?

By: theabundantartist

theabundantartist — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:15:44 +0000

Patricia, perhaps I could have titled the post “Artists Who Actually Know How to Market to Their Fans,” but that’s a little long, eh?

You’re right that there are lots of ‘art malls’ and similar websites. My questions is how many of the artists who are using these sites are making a significant living? They seem to be for hobbyists, or just one outpost of an artists overall marketing scheme.

Anyone else? What do you think? Etsy, Ebay, 1000Markets – good for a business, hobby, or something else?

By: Patricia

Patricia — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:45:22 +0000

You make it sound so uncommon but I don’t think it is. I am trying to market to fans (ok, I am trying to build a fan base but I don’t have enough expertise to be very good at reaching them yet) as are most artists today. I think an important consideration is that more independent or self-representing artists are finding themselves able to interact (intersect?) with the public because of today’s technologies. In earlier times, when there was no internet or email people had to travel to fairs, shows or galleries and very occasionally artist studios in order to view the art that they might want to purchase. Now there are websites, both artists’ own and craft or art malls (such as 1000Markets and Etsy to name two) available to everyone with a computer and a modem.

Cool, eh.

Patricia
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..October’s Opals and Tourmalines Part I =-.

By: Bo Insogna

Bo Insogna — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:10:45 +0000

Wow! Wished I lived in Portland. Sounds like a great event. I have been such a believer in this that is how I found you. IT took me years to find the right selling Web site. Finally the internet has some good choices. My feeling is Marketing ART/Photo’s is worldwide and that’s a big market, we just need a vary small part of that every week. If you do one sale a month you should be able to do one a week, if one a week, Then one a day,If one a day, then 10 a day. I guess it just depends on how many eyes you get on your site and work. Anywho sorry this is so long…. I am preaching to the choir.

Love your blog!

Thanks for all you do!

By: Jason Parker

Jason Parker — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:50:18 +0000

Thanks for putting me in such heavy company, Cory! What a great list.

So inspiring to see such great artists taking control of our own destiny!
.-= Jason Parker´s last blog ..Soul Provider at The Triple Door =-.