So you're a creative and an aspiring artist who wanted the world to know how your artworks deserve their attention and money. You're ready to introduce, present, and put your masterpieces to display. You're open to hear feedback and receive pieces of art advice, too from experts and art enthusiasts but you're unsure how to even start. In an effort to help you, we've rounded up the most effective ways artists (especially the new ones) can get their name (and eventually) their artworks out there in the world wide web.
1. Create an online profile.
You need a professional website where you can creatively talk about who you are as a person and who you are as an artist. You can also have a dedicated page on your site where you can showcase a number of your artworks. If you feel like you need to explain a bit more about your artwork and your inspiration for each, you can also try blogging about them. Make sure your visitors can subscribe and comment so you can establish connection with them and even comment on their blogs if they have one. It will also help to have a Contact page where your updated information is available so anyone can reach you for inquiries and sales.
2. Connect through social media.
Yes, sure. You're present on almost all social networking sites but know that this is not enough. You have to switch your accounts to public so you can reach a wider audience. If you're not comfortable with that, you can create a separate account or page dedicated to showcasing your artworks instead.
3. Join online art marketplaces or galleries.
Some sites to consider include Deviant Art, Saatchi Art, and Art Brokerage. You can also try popular auction site eBay. Lastly, you may want to check out Etsy as its turning into an online space where more and more artists go to sell their work.
4. Publish a photo book.
Self-publishing is another way you can get your art out there. While its surely an ambitious thing, its never impossible.
5. Try print on demand websites.
You'd have to upload a high quality image of your artwork and then the website will take care of printing it on mugs (in the case of CafePress) or on other stuffs like t-shirts, pillows, phone cases, and others. Keep in mind that most print on demand websites will take care of the printing but you'd have to work double time in marketing your art.
6. Advertise with Google.
AdWords may be the last thing you have in mind when it comes to selling your art online but know that its a powerful way to be found by people you don't even know and get them to buy from you. Its becoming popular to more artists since it doesn't charge you anything even if it shows your ad on Googles search results. You only pay when the user clicks on your ad. Worth a try, right?
Selling art online is definitely challenging but when you get the hang of it, it isn't as hard as you thought. With the right connections and an effective marketing strategy, you'll be on your way to making a living out of selling your artworks online.