Testing the Market and Making It Easy to Buy Your Art

If you haven’t read the first two posts I wrote about how to find your people, ie., your fans or supporters, look here for the first one and here for the second. Finding your people is one of the keys to begin selling art. Next comes testing a product.

Test the market in order to begin selling art

First, pick something to sell. Something you can sell relatively inexpensively, but not cheap, in the $50 range. Preferably something that got a lot of attention from your followers.

If you are a 2D artist or photographer, broaden your mind beyond prints. Prints are fine; I just want you to use that creative brain of yours to think of other options even if you don’t end up using any of them.

Here are some ideas for products to offer.

1. Teach a two hour group class on your favorite subject. Maybe an artistic technique or something outside your direct practice, like an app, using Instagram, how to get your first public art job, or something you’re good at that you might take for granted but a student could benefit from.
2. Or give online/offline lessons combining your art and another interest: Art and gardens, photography and design, art and clothing, art and jewelry, art and home decor.
3. Make something. Choose an object you can make many of, for a little money and not much time.

Yes, I do realize I have wallpapered over the crucial details. Email me or book a 15 minute chat if you want help to get started.

This is one of those situations where it’s worth your time to sell something, just to get the experience. Don’t put shlock out there, but don’t spend 6 months researching, either. Begin selling art now because your success will be dependent on this research.

Make it simple to buy from you

The second step, just as important, is to make it easy for your people to buy. Telling them to DM (direct message) you for more information about what you’re selling, DOES NOT COUNT. I’ve worked with lots of people who have used this, and have also tried to DM artists, especially on Instagram. I’m either too embarrassed to send the message, or the artists don’t respond when I do finally reach out.

The reason it’s important to make it easy for people to buy is two-fold. First, even though your stuff is amazing, people want the buying process to be easy. There’s a reason why Amazon tried to patent “One-click shopping.”

Second, unlike buying toothpaste or even big-ticket items like cars, buying art is a risk. There’s no Consumer Reports to consult about Which Art Is The Best for Your Bedroom. Most people think they have no aesthetic sense and are afraid of making mistakes. That’s why they buy pre-curated prints in furniture stores. No risk.

When they’re buying your art they’re taking the first wobbly step into trusting their own taste. Make it as easy for them as you can. Unless you get struck by the Phenomenal Luck lightning bolt, you won’t make a ton of money.

Even if you break even or lose a little money though, you’ve bought experience and without learning you can’t get anywhere else.

Parts of yourself that have strong opinions about money, selling, self-worth, selling out, will come up and start telling you what a bad idea this all is. Go here to understand what to do about them.

Begin selling your art. This research you're doing is important. Below, tell me how it's all going. Or book a 15 minute chat. I know I say this all the time, but I’m serious. I’ll help you get started. It’s important.