by Ruth Kongaika

Created on: November 08, 2009

In order to sell your artwork, it would be advisable to get some professional training about business and the art world. Learning how to prepare, present, and explain your art can go a long way towards making a sale. Making art and marketing your art are two different talents. Try to spend time in art circles and take advice from those that have been successful selling their art. Join local art guilds and organizations. Participate in their exhibits to see how they market. Ask questions and listen well.

Be aware of those who would want to buy your art. You are the producer. There are many persons who could make their living off of your artwork (galleries, curators, museums, stores, insurers, appraisers, etc.). You need to be aware of the needs and demand since you are a supplier.

To make money with your art, it needs to have a certain quality, be available in a certain quantity and needs to be consistent. Art produced while you were a student is not quality, because you have been learning the basics under the direction of a professor, it was only an exercise. You need to have enough experience trying to find what you like and what you are best at. Then you can produce quality artwork people will relate to you and your style.

Know how much your artwork is worth. To find out how much a car is worth, you go to the Kelly's Blue Book and look up the make, model, year and condition. Artwork also has a blue book. There are agencies to help you on your way to get your artwork recognized and listed in the artists blue book. You can research the price of fine art using auction sales results. Be willing to compensate those that help you along the way.

Be aware of your competition and try to outshine them. Your art needs to be unique in some way so it stands apart from the crowd. Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock were not so much better than anyone else they just stood out.

Be willing to spend a little money to get exposure. If you want to participate in art shows and art fairs, you most likely will have to pay a fee, rent a tent and make some display stands. On-line it is the same. If you want to make a good art website, you will have to spend a little bit, even on ebay or other auction sites. Subscribe to art magazines and read articles about selling art on-line.

If you feel you can not market your own work, hire an art agent, art consultant, or art dealer for an hour or two. They can give you the best advice since that is what they are best at. If you still feel uneasy, give them a chance to show what they can do for you.

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