by The Funky Olive

Created on: January 19, 2007   Last Updated: May 08, 2007

Marketing your artwork is for many artists a grueling task. Artists prefer to create, and not have to worry about the business end of it. But alas, without the marketing, which aids in the sales, an artist's walls are soon covered with their masterpeices for them to enjoy while eating a meal of ramen noodles. You know, the starving artist!

With the internet, a whole new avenue of opportunities awaits the artist, and selling your paintings or sculptures becomes a little easier. The whole world can browse your gallery.

- eBay is a great place to sell your art, and as someone that frequently browses the self-representing artist's listings, I can tell you some of them are making some very good money there with their art.

- If you're not already, blog about your art, and post pictures of your paintings or whichever art form is your genre. And if you opt to sell your art on eBay, blog about your new listings as well, with a link to that piece. I know of a few different painting a day blogs, and I like to browse those regularly too.

- I know of a couple people that scan their art and sell copies of it on different items such as t-shirts, mugs, mousepads, notecards, etc. at Cafepress, which is a print on demand company. That way, you can not only sell the original, but also continue to make money off that work by selling copies of it forever on other items.

- Start a mailing list, and have people sign up through either eBay listings, your blog, forums, etc. When you have a new painting that is ready for sale, make up a nice newsletter, include a picture of your new work and email it off to let everyone know it's available for sale.

Locally, you may want to scout around for an artist's guild that you can join. Guild meetings are great for gathering new ideas, both inspirational, and for marketing purposes.

Have some business cards made up that include a picture of one of your creations, and hand them out wherever you can. The doctor's office, the bank, the shopping mall, wherever you go. Never leave the house without a supply of cards.

Try selling or donating some of your works around town to various businesses. Restaraunts, beauty salons, office buildings, etc., are good places to try. As well as your local charities that may be in the need of donations for their fundraising auctions and raffles. Be sure to include some business cards with that work, so these businesses can give them to people interested in contacting you for purchasing a painting or sculpture of their own.

Basically, just spread the word about your art and toot your own horn wherever and whenever you get the chance. It takes time for word to get out, but persistence is the key to success in every endeavor.

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