Selling art is more than learning effective techniques; it’s the strategic alignment of creator, creation, and collector. Master this, and you master the business of art.

— Barney Davey

Welcome to Part Two of our enlightening series, “The Art of Selling Art: Sales Tips for Artists.” Building on last week’s foundational insights, we explored critical aspects of defining a successful art sales strategy. This is not just a conversation about transactions; it’s a guide to meaningful, fulfilling entrepreneurship in the art world. Read Part One here.

Here’s what’s in Part Two:

From Fear to Fortitude: Overcoming Emotional Barriers 

As we continue this journey, we look at ways to confront and control the inevitable fears and uncertainties in the art business. Armed with courage and awareness, you can confidently face any challenge. 

Seven Pillars of Sales Success: The Techniques You Need 

Next, we jump into seven indispensable areas crucial to your sales proficiency. From effective communication to negotiation finesse, we break down each pillar and offer actionable steps for immediate improvement. 

The Power of Authenticity: Connecting Creator and Consumer 

Beyond techniques, your most meaningful sales will come from authentic interactions. Here, we discuss how to forge genuine connections with potential buyers by speaking the language of art sincerely and openly. 

Strategic Wisdom: Crafting an Effective Sales Strategy 

A well-crafted strategy should guide your efforts. We provide sound advice on building a sales plan that considers your art and audience, ensuring a sustainable business model. 

Sharing Is Caring: Spreading Your Acquired Wisdom 

This guide is intended for you and serves as a resource you can share with peers, students, or anyone new to the complexities of the art business. Let’s lift each other as we climb. 

An Invitation to Further Mastery: Blueprint for Art Business Success 

Beyond the actionable tips, consider “Blueprint for Art Business Success” as your go-to encyclopedia for a prosperous art business. Whether you need insights on digital marketing, financial management, or business expansion, the book is a treasure trove of expertise. You can buy it along with the “Self-Empowerment Journal” for artists in an ebook bundle for one low price.

In Closing: The Journey Ahead 

This is not the end but rather another checkpoint in your ongoing journey through the art business landscape. Like this chapter on selling art, the book goes deep on the essential aspects—setting up your art business, planning for the future, and even self-care—because every facet contributes to your success as an artist. 

• My decades of experience have given me a long and rewarding career helping artists efficiently get their work to market.
• This book is a legacy project. It’s packed with invaluable insights to help you operate your art business at peak performance. 
• I made it affordable so all artists could access the value and knowledge bombs the book is loaded with.

Read and refer to it; it will help you have a better art business experience and artist’s life.

Chapter Titles for Reference 

For your convenience, here are the chapters in “Blueprint for Art Business Success,” each promising comprehensive advice for visual artists at all stages of their careers: 

Subscribe for Future Chapter Excerpts: 

Click here to subscribe to ensure you receive the additional excerpts from this book and continue to receive more valuable strategies and practical advice for art business success. 

Each chapter is an essential guide to elevating your abilities to operate your art business with integrity and prosperity. The guidance will help you sharpen your skills and secure your path to surviving and excelling in the art market. 

Chapter 15: The Art Of Selling Art: Sales Tips For Artists—Part Two 

Honing Your Sales Skills: The Key to Selling More Art 

Art is not just a passion; it’s a business. Selling is a skill, just like painting or sculpting. If you’re grappling with making sales, it’s time to face your fear or prejudice head-on and strive for improvement. Below, we’ve outlined seven key areas that can help you sell more art: 

Practice What to Say: Every conversation can potentially lead to a sale. Just like crafting your art, dedicate time to perfecting your communication skills. Anticipate the questions that might arise in a sales conversation, prepare your best responses, and practice them. The more at ease you are with your script, the more confidently you will speak, leading to increased sales. 

Portray Confidence: Confidence is attractive and contagious. It manifests in your posture, eye contact, and speaking. Work on these attributes and exhibit your confidence wherever you go. When you exude confidence, you eliminate hurdles to making a sale. You can learn to be fearless when selling your art.

Maintain a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA): With PMA, every failure becomes a learning experience, a stepping stone. Selling is a numbers game. Realizing this helps you maintain your PMA. The more you employ it, the stronger it becomes. You can be optimistic and realistic; it’s recommended.

Be Curious: Showing genuine interest in the person you speak with can be flattering. Use open-ended questions to maintain an engaging conversation. Your curiosity will make the other person feel valued and provide you with valuable insights about them, which could prove helpful in making a sale. 

Negotiate: Negotiation is a skill you use daily, often without even realizing it. Learn to assert yourself and confidently counter your offer. Improving your negotiation skills can substantially boost your sales. 

Offer Big: Don’t rush into revealing your best offer. Ensure you begin with your most expensive pieces and gradually introduce the lesser-priced ones. Your prospective buyer may surprise you by going for the higher-priced art. 

Ask for the Order: You’ll never make a sale unless you ask. Yes, you might face rejection, but remember, each denial gets you closer to your next deal. The fear of rejection should never hold you back from making a sale.  

Investing your time and energy in these areas will undoubtedly pay dividends in your art career. These principles can significantly increase the number of sales you make, leading to a more prosperous and rewarding career as an artist. 

Becoming a Fearless Seller 

Fear can be one of the biggest obstacles in an artist’s journey towards selling their art—fear of rejection, judgment, or not living up to your expectations. But it’s best to remember that courage is not the absence of fear but the decision that something else is more important. In your case, it’s your art and your passion for it. It would be best to overcome this fear to grow as an artist and flourish in your business, and you can do it. 

Firstly, understand that rejection is a part of the sales process. Not everyone will resonate with your art, and that’s okay. Each ‘no’ gets you closer to a ‘yes.’ Learn from rejection rather than letting it depress you. Analyze why the customer rejected the offer, use it as a lesson for future sales conversations, and constantly refine your sales technique. 

Secondly, never underestimate the value of your art. Every piece you create is a part of you; your creativity and talent manifest in physical form. The price you put on it should be a reflection of its worth, not a reflection of the buyer’s perceived ability to pay. You’re an artist, and your art is priceless. 

Lastly, always be prepared. Just like you train your art for an exhibition, prepare yourself for a sale. Understand your potential customers, know what they like, anticipate their objections, and prepare convincing answers. Being prepared will not only give you a higher chance of making a sale, but it will also boost your confidence. 

Building a Connection 

At its core, art is an expression of emotion. Emotion is what drives people to buy art. Connecting with potential buyers can differentiate between a missed opportunity and a successful sale. People are more likely to buy from people they like and trust. 

Take the time to listen to your potential buyers. Understand their needs, their likes, their dislikes, and their passions. Not only will this provide valuable insights into what they might be interested in buying, but it will also help you establish a connection. 

Share the story behind your art. What inspired you to create it? What does it mean to you? Sharing these personal details establishes a bond between you, the buyer, and the artwork. It adds value to the art and can drive the buyer’s decision to purchase. 

Creating a Sales Strategy 

A well-planned sales strategy is essential to selling more art. You must be clear about your target market, their preferences, and how to reach them. 

Identify your target market. These people are most likely to appreciate and buy your art. Understand their preferences—what type of art they like, what colors they are drawn to, and what themes resonate with them. 

Once you understand your target market, you must figure out how to reach them. Options include exhibitions, art shows, online platforms, or social media. Choose the medium that best matches and reaches your target audience. 

Price your art appropriately, which can be a challenging aspect of selling art, but it’s crucial. Consider the time, materials, and effort you put into creating each piece. Research the market to understand what similar artwork is selling for. And remember, the price should reflect the value of your artwork, not just the cost of materials and time. 

Conclusion 

Selling art is a challenging endeavor and a journey of self-improvement and skill-building. It requires understanding your potential customers, building connections, confidently presenting your art, negotiating effectively, and persisting through rejections. It’s a skill that can be learned, honed, and perfected over time. 

By understanding these common challenges and implementing the suggestions mentioned above, artists can refine their sales skills, connect more meaningfully with potential buyers, and ultimately achieve tremendous success in selling their art. 

Remember, each artwork you sell is a piece of yourself going out into the world. It’s a representation of your creativity, your talent, and your passion. So, take pride in it, value it, and confidently share it with the world. 

In the world of art, as in life, there’s always room for growth and improvement. Embrace this journey, learn from each experience, and continue to evolve as an artist and a confident and successful art entrepreneur. As you do, you’ll find that the art of selling art becomes less of a mystery and more of a rewarding journey.