Marketing my canvas prints and artwork

14 years ago

If I had your skills I would start up a tutorial type site - from reading your post it would seem that you have a lot of skills that people would be interested in reading tutorials about. Once your tut site is established, you can then use this to direct traffic to your main business site. Tut sites in the kind of market you would be targetting get a lot of traffic, and if you are as experienced as you say you are then you could make a tut site stand out.

I would point you to Phototuts+ | Photography and post-processing tutorials from beginner to advanced. as an example of the sort of tutorial site you might consider starting.

Good luck.

Thanks

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Steven Carl Kelly

14 years ago

Ken28:

There is lots of great information here to help you. And most of that great information is inside "The War Room". I encourage you to join the War Room, a sub-forum here. I believe it is $37 for a 20-year membership. The information in that forum will set you on the right track, believe me.

Thanks

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Ken28

14 years ago

Thanks, folks.

I really wish I could post a sample of my work or a link to it. I'm not bragging, but I am very good

Once I hit 15 posts here I will link to my work.

I've been oil painting for over 20 years before I started painting digitally. I have mad artistic skills. I've just never done it to earn a living, it was always for fun. So now I just didn't know how to get it 'out there'.

I will look into both suggestions

Thanks
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Jill Carpenter 14 years ago

Could you type it out - like:

avenuegirl dot com ??

I bought a painted reproduction that is done digitally a few years back and it is one of my favorites.

The original painting was too expensive, but the artist had what sounds like similar equipment where they used a computer to replicate the painting. Then all the artist did was sign it - a second time as the first signature showed on the painting. This replicated the oil paint and everything.

There are a million and one ways to market this type of work - but I'd love to see your current site first.
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Ken28

14 years ago

Thanks, but would I get in trouble here if I spelled it out that way by going around the forum rules? Don't wanna get banned on my first day here! lol

I'd LOVE to show you my work. Maybe if I keep posting away tonight I'll reach 15 posts.

Thanks
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Jill Carpenter

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Ken28

Thanks, but would I get in trouble here if I spelled it out that way by going around the forum rules? Don't wanna get banned on my first day here! lol

I'd LOVE to show you my work. Maybe if I keep posting away tonight I'll reach 15 posts.

No, you won't get in trouble. I will vouch for you and it better not be a xxx porn site.

It just won't link for you. I'm specifically asking you to do it.

Just type it out long hand. You can always go back and edit it out later.

Thanks
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Jill Carpenter 14 years ago

Is your work watermarked? You can also upload images to somewhere like photobucket for us to see.
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Ken28

14 years ago

Oh, and I don't have a website up yet. For photography yes, but not for the canvas prints or digital painting. I was going to link to kijiji (a free advertising site for Canadians owned by eBay) and I have some work posted there.

I also have work on another art site, Fine Art America.

Thanks

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Ken28

14 years ago

No, no, not a XXX site! lol. I'm for real here.

Here is the kijiji link and I'll try typing it out with the beginning spaced.

http : // guelph. kijiji. ca/c-buy-and-sell-baby-items-other-Canvas-painting-of-your-baby-or-child-W0QQAdIdZ212556513

Thanks

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djbventures

14 years ago

Hey Ken...who are your ideal clients? Are there any forums where those clients would potentially be conversing? Try that...also, get some keywords together and try some article marketing. It seems like a good niche for this avenue.

Personally, I'd love to see your work (creative soul myself) PM me your link if you would!

Thanks
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Jill Carpenter

14 years ago

Originally Posted by djbventures

Hey Ken...who are your ideal clients? Are there any forums where those clients would potentially be conversing? Try that...also, get some keywords together and try some article marketing. It seems like a good niche for this avenue.

Personally, I'd love to see your work (creative soul myself) PM me your link if you would!

I don't think he can pm yet. lol

Ok,

Your "ad" needs some work, and you do definitely need a website to showcase your work and abilities.

If you can scrounge up a hundred bucks (or even less) you could get a site up and going that you can upload your works to as well as your rates.

What is your local area like? Can you get some local clients first and then work out from there?

You could use them to get some testimonials and samples for your site.

Make sure you have the right photography contracts in place that will allow you to use their images in promotions if you do this.

Here is how I would personally proceed. This may or may not be right for you - but this is how I would do it.

1. get a website up - install a blog with my own domain and hosting, and use the name of your studio for the domain. You will want to brand yourself and your work

2. put up some sample work, rates, and in the sales copy talk about loved ones and how this is truly a unique gift

3. drive some traffic to the site. Use keywords specific to your local area to begin - IE photo in Guelph (where are you? lol) and expand out from there. (this is too much to go into detail about)

4. target things like "unique wedding gift" etc. This will take some time to research and find the right keywords but it can be done. Use these keywords in articles and distribute to article directories and web 2.0 sites. Do you have a facebook page? got friends there? Go and get some.

5. Offer a bid on ebay - not for work that is done but for work you will do. Client can bid to send you their photo and you do the work on demand. Give the client what they are looking for - not what you have on hand.

There is more, but maybe this can give you some ideas.

Essentially, you want to give people what they are looking for and what they want.

I like unique gifts. I like art. I like paintings. And a lot of people will LOVE getting a photo transferred into a painting - and 50 bucks for this type of work is a drop in the bucket.

(omg, that pink baby looks like a perfect gerber baby)

Get your own site in place for this, and market more than just kijiji.

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Ken28

14 years ago

Hi djbventures,

Potential clients? Anyone who will buy! hahahaha.

I've tried going to sites dedicated to cars, weddings, motorcycles, etc... and I've gotten a few sales, but not many.

A sample of my work is posted above if you follow the link but just delete the spaces at the beginning.

Thanks

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Ken28

14 years ago

Oh, and I can't send a PM until my post count is 50 or greater.

Thanks
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Chris Grable 14 years ago

Ken, these are amazing....!! Do I understand you correctly....? You freehand these on a computer using a graphics tablet?

Canvas painting of your baby or child - Guelph Baby Items For Sale - Kijiji Guelph
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- angela99 14 years ago
  
  Hi Ken
  
  If I were you, I wouldn't try to market a new business which is selling digital product online first up, before your business is humming.
  
  The online world is a sales CHANNEL, that's all. You'll need more than one channel.
  
  (Yes, I know. Heresy to IMers, but it's the truth. :-))
  
  If I were doing it, I would create a couple of pieces which I could easily carry, and would then hit my local stores.
  
  Malls are good, but the shop owners pay hefty rentals, so take that into account when you approach them.
  
  Work out a pitch before you start, and think about customers who shop in that particular store, so you can tell the store owner/ manager why his customers would buy your products.
  
  The kinds of deals you work out with stores would be either on consignment (you do the prints, the store gets a percentage, the products are displayed in the store until sold), or as a percentage of any leads the store sends your way.
  
  Kinds of stores to consider:
  
  * Baby products (new parents would love your canvas prints -- grandparents would too);
  
  * Bridal shops;
  
  * Gift shops (no brainer, this one);
  
  * Picture framing shops;
  
  * Photography shops;
  
  * Restaurants -- in our area, a couple of restaurants are decorated with image from local artists. The images have price tags;
  
  * Etc.
  
  Good luck, I wish you much success. :-)
  
  Thanks
  
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Ken28

14 years ago

Thanks for your thoughts!!

Photography contract? Don't need 'em. I'm also a professional photographer.

Keep in mind that I also want to simply print photos on canvas, not always paint them.

I do have some local clients, photographers, artists, a psychologist... just not enough to stay busy.

$50 is dirt cheap for a painting on canvas. I thought I would raise prices as I become known, but I can barely even sell them for that price!

Am I trying to reach the wrong class of people? Should I be charging way more and target those who live in richer areas? Perhaps I'm being overlooked because of the price - they might think the workmanship bites for that low of a price. Am I thinking right here?

Again, thanks for your thoughts and constructive criticism.

Thanks

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Ken28

14 years ago

Hi Chris,

Thank you!

Yes, they are freehand on the computer with an Intuos 4 tablet. Keep in mind I've been oil painting for over 20 years though, so I had a head start.

Thanks

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Ken28

14 years ago

Now I also know not to trust the kijiji web counter. It was at 71 hits before you folks visited, and is still at 71 now.

So for all I know maybe only 5 people have actually looked at that particular ad.

Thanks
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Jill Carpenter 14 years ago

Oh gosh!

Where to Sell my Crafts | Sell my Art & Indie Crafts California | Booths Selling Handmade Crafts

A friend turned me onto this site just this past week. They showcase different artists - and there may be a fee to promote your business, but definitely something to look into.
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Matt Riley 14 years ago

Wow Ken, you have quite a gift!

I was just talking with my sister who's interested in doing something similar to sell her paintings online, so I'm interested to hear about your progress.

I think avenuegirl is right on and a website is a must. It gives you credibility and in a way, worth to what you're selling. Also, people like seeing something more concrete like that before they send you money. So I think a website would boost your sales even if you're not getting a lot of traffic to it to start with. Just link to it on your ads.

Good luck, and when you get a website going let us know!

Matt
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murphyslaw

14 years ago

Don't forget about free sites like Craigslist - that can be a goldmine for products like yours.

Thanks
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hometutor 14 years ago

Originally Posted by murphyslaw

Don't forget about free sites like Craigslist - that can be a goldmine for products like yours.

I agree AND you can post a picture on Craigslist

Freaking nice work by the way!

Rick
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Ken28

14 years ago

I'll look into that too, avenuegirl.

Kijiji is basically the same thing as Craigslist. I've never posted on Craigslist though because it is littered with scams.

Thanks

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Ken28

14 years ago

Hi Angela,

I have approached a few stores but have been turned down.

This week I'm actually going to display some work in a wine shop. A local fellow brews beer and wine on his premises and has become quite known in the area. We've been buying our wine from him for a few years and I talked with him. He is going to allow me to show some related artwork in his store.

It'll be interesting to see the response.

I do print for other area photographers now, but the rest of your list is super! I'm hitting the phone book tomorrow for some addresses.

Thanks!

Thanks
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angela99

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Ken28

Hi Angela,

I have approached a few stores but have been turned down.

This week I'm actually going to display some work in a wine shop. A local fellow brews beer and wine on his premises and has become quite known in the area. We've been buying our wine from him for a few years and I talked with him. He is going to allow me to show some related artwork in his store.

It'll be interesting to see the response.

I do print for other area photographers now, but the rest of your list is super! I'm hitting the phone book tomorrow for some addresses.

Thanks!

Ken, regarding the ones who turn you down: rejections are excellent.

Here's how to use rejections.

Apply the "100 rule". Whenever I try something new in marketing, I use the 100 rule. It's all a numbers game, so 100 is the absolute bare minimum trial of any new marketing push.

So in your situation, you'd cold-bloodedly (without thinking about it) visit 100 stores with your samples. Leave a card and a flyer (print them out on your computer) with each store owner. Put your name and phone number in bold on the cards/ flyers.

Once you've visited 100 stores, do a review. Write yourself a short report on exactly what happened. This comes in handy later, when you're extending your marketing. You'll often get ideas from people which are hugely valuable to you down the road in your career, so don't omit doing this. You'll learn more from your rejections than you do from your successes...

Please apply the 100 rule. You deserve to succeed, and I'd love to know what the results are once you've applied the "100 rule".

Good luck. :-)

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L7Naisly

14 years ago

Hello Ken28,

This is my first post as well (I'm a listener, not a talker). But I can't help myself this time so I'll try and give you some advice.

I have 20 years experience in the art industry and have dealt with; artists (hobbyists, emerging, experienced), art collectors, regular folk, you name it. I currently own a custom picture framing/gallery and just today I had nearly this same conversation with one of my artist customers.

As an artist myself, I have a hard time pricing my work and marketing. But I preach to all my clientele the same thing Bill had said about the shoes (just not quite like he did). Sometimes I wish I could take my own advice. But I have chosen to pursue the business side of it.

Let me ask you this -Do you really want to make a lucrative living from this?

How much is all that equipment worth?
How much is your supplies worth?
How much does it cost you in utilities per sq foot for that space?
How much wear and tear/gas/mileage on your car (going out on calls, dropping business cards off, time etc?)
How much is your time worth? In essence what are you worth for your talent?
(Add other expenses here)

And your only charging $5 per hour?

Keep in mind art is a business, you can devote 100% of your time to your work, where as most artists can only spare a few ours a day, if that. And sadly they usually fail because they can't juggle work, family, creating and marketing. So your already ½ way there.

So my advice would be this:

Write up a business plan - You might know this stuff already, but here it is just in case:

Goals (long and short)
Competition
Costs
100 rule is also great advice (add that)
Clubs/Organizations you will join
Ways to support your community
How will you network?
Fee Structure/Policy
Customer service - always stay in touch with your clients (I sometimes use postal instead of email, its more personal)
Inventory
Education (will you be taking workshops etc)
Portfolio: In your portfolio you will need a bio, artist statement, and samples.

Make up pamphlets - add a sample, your bio (in short), artist statement. Don't add prices but make sure you write something that will make them want to call you for the prices. Make sure paper and ink you use is best quality.

Make up very professional business cards. Keep it simple, larger font for phone number.

Make up COA offer this as well (google it). This is important if you plan to sell one-of-a-kind. Mention this is all your marketing. People will feel they are getting an original piece of artwork. Digital can push people away.

Once your portfolio is complete, this is what you will need to drop off at galleries if you want to show your work or send out to galleries in neighbouring communities.

The pamphlets will be good to drop off at the local Chamber (join them as well), frame shops, set up a table at your local art fair, and all the other places these people have suggested as well.

Always, and I mean always carry your business cards with you and drop them everywhere.

Listen to these people about on-line. But I will suggest you have a web developer design and maintain a website for you. Only because it will eat up too much of your time if you do it. It will honestly be worth it.

So in the mean time I would do the following while you wait for your site:

Join as many forums as you can and make quality/informative posts
Join many free art sites - these places you can add your artwork, bio contact info etc. There are literally thousands to choose from.
Make a Facebook page.
Join other social network sites.

Doing all of this on-line networking can take up a lot of time as well. So allocate a certain amount of hours per week on this because it can become addictive if your not careful.

Believe it or not your half way there for marketing your site. Because once your site comes live, you can now add your link on all of the above =)

It's important to brand your name. And following these steps will help more than you can imagine. When an artist first walks through my door I always google him/her and if I can't find them on the first couple of pages I don't usually take them seriously. I do the same thing for when I see artwork I like around town. So as these warriors will tell you it is important to try these suggestions for branding.

I hope this has helped some, by the way if you need any more advice I'll be more than happy to message you on kijiji just let me know. I have tons of art related links.

Good luck to you on this fantastic new venture!

L7Naisly

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Bill Farnham

14 years ago

Originally Posted by L7Naisly

This is important if you plan to sell one-of-a-kind. Mention this is all your marketing. People will feel they are getting an original piece of artwork. Digital can push people away...

This is interesting to note, and if you can expand on this I would like to know more behind your reasoning for both your assertations.

Originally Posted by L7Naisly

When an artist first walks through my door I always google him/her and if I can’t find them on the first couple of pages I don’t usually take them seriously.

This statement is also interesting. I built a website this week for an influential artist who up til now had zero presence on the web. He didn't need it, he stays busy. Still does. He wants a web presence now, and who could blame him...

~Bill

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L7Naisly

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Bill Farnham

This is interesting to note, and if you can expand on this I would like to know more behind your reasoning for both your assertations.

This statement is also interesting. I built a website this week for an influential artist who up til now had zero presence on the web. He didn't need it, he stays busy. Still does. He wants a web presence now, and who could blame him...

~Bill

Hi Bill,

A COA is a Certificate of Authenticity and is required by law in 14 states. (I’m pretty sure that’s the number, but I could be wrong). You are working in digital and will need this, if anything just to assure your clients you are the real deal. When you complete your piece, sign it, date it, and add 1/1 (One of one made).

If you ask people what digital means to them, most will mention, digital cameras, computers, and software etc. If you tell them, “I’m selling digital artwork.” They will instinctively think on the above. Leaving out the fact you have an artistic ability.

The thing with digital is everyone and their grandmother seem to be thinking – I can paint, I can take these down to my local printers and print off a few hundred LE’s, sell them and if need be I can print off more. Hell I can even sell them on-line and make a killing.

First and foremost there is just so much wrong with that and I personally see this as hurting the art industry. LE (Limited Edition) is exactly that.

Ok, I have a frame shop and I see a lot of art come through my door. A customer brings in a LE print from a local artist and is thrilled to no end that it only cost them $150 dollars. I look it over and notice its on cheap stock, the ink is so off it hurts my eyes and it is obviously copied. I then realize I have the original in the back room ready for framing.

To no surprise I compare the two and found out this print is 9/12. When the owner of the original comes in I enquire about prints. He tells me the artist has a stack of them left…hmm.

This is when I decided enough was enough; I was going to educate artist and the public on the proper procedure. Hence why I’m here, I have some learning to do myself.

Usually I see emerging artists and they all complain they can’t market themselves. They say they have tried everything.

Well first off they haven’t tried ‘everything’ because their name in nowhere to be found on-line. I don’t mean to say I am looking for their website, actually most artists websites are so bad it both angers me and saddens me. (This is best left for another story)

No, what I’m looking for are things like newspaper articles, local organisations/ art chapters or his/her name added to articles/stories etc. I want to see what his/her community thinks of them.

Sorry for being long winded so I do hope I answered your question. I have a feeling I have not, but there is just too much to write about this subject. I also have a hard time writing things out even though I know that answers.

All the best,

L7Naisly

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JMB Marketing Group 14 years ago

Ken,

You could sell your pictures here:

Stock Photography: Search Royalty Free Images & Photos | iStockphoto.com.

Ken, what I would do before creating any more pieces of work (which is costing you -- both in time and $$), I would find out what types of paintings/portraits that people are wanting to buy and paint something based on what they are looking/asking for.

Another thing you could do is to Joint Venture (JV) with an eBay PowerSeller (this doesn't cost you a dime by the way) to help sell your portraits. I have an ebook course that would show you how to approach these folks, which includes email and phone scripts. Just email me your interest at: JMB Marketing Group @ hotmail dot com.

Ken, I would also look into partnering with people who are in the public domain field and are selling prints, etc..

These are just a few things that I can think of at the moment.

Wishing you much success, Ken!

Cheers,

JMB
- Thanks
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Jagged

14 years ago

Target holiday family portraits...people love that...makes perfect gifts!
Baby showers, 1st communions, graduations...
Mothers day...portraits of the children...they would eat that up...
Patriotic portraits of men & women returning from serving our nation...or memorial portraits too...
Can you also do pets? People spend big bucks on their pets...with your talent I can see you doing very well with this...

Hook up with local photographers....JV with them.

Personally, I think this would make for a unique WSO...

What ever you choose, I wish the best & I hope your talent carries you far...

~Ken

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hometutor

14 years ago

Ken don't give up on ebay just yet. Did you research it much before posting the auction or just post?

Rick

Thanks

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Derwin

14 years ago

This is amazing that you have lot of skills in which people can take interest. You should establish a website first. You can use word press blog which is free.Write impressive articles about your cameras and printers and what you want to sell. Do forum posting and blog commenting and spread your blog and website.

Thanks

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Ken28

14 years ago

Thanks very much, folks! I appreciate all the feedback.

Rick, I did research eBay before posting. I singled out my competitors and watched what they sold and studied everything about them. I believe my work was superior to their work, however, most of them were in China and selling for much less than me.

I've researched the prices of the materials in China compared to here and we pay about 3-4 times more for ink, canvas, etc... than they do, so they are able to sell for less. Also, their higher feedback was a positive for them because it gave them credibility versus someone just starting out selling art and prints on eBay.

Let me ask this.

Everyone who has commented on my work, if you were to order from me, what is the price you would expect to pay for say an average size canvas 16x20 now that you know what my work looks like? Am I charging too little ($50) for this size? Okay, I know I am because it takes me 5-10 hours to complete a painting depending on difficulty. What would you expect to pay and would you actually pay that amount?

And yes, I do paint pets too.

Keep in mind that painting isn't the only thing I'm trying to sell. Just plain old photos (wedding photos etc...) printed as-is on canvas without any painting done is also what I do.

Thanks

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Jagged

14 years ago

Here are some comparable prices....$50 is WAY too low...
Try searching Google to get a true range...then search locally to see if there is much comptition in your area.....what the competition charges & what the market will bear.

Getting a website up will get you beyond your local area naturally...if you need help with that let me know...

ezPortrait.com - Portraits from photos - Prices.

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Ken28

14 years ago

Excellent find Jagged - thanks!

I have no competition around me. I live an hour from Toronto. The population of my city is about 125,000 and surrounding area outside Toronto is around a million.

I think the next closest to me with the equipment that I have is probably Toronto.

But the thing is how do I get someone to pay $200 for a portrait if I can't even sell them for $50. Is this a psychological trick that by charging more people think they're getting a better service and will then pay it?

Thanks
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Bill Farnham

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Ken28

But the thing is how do I get someone to pay $200 for a portrait if I can't even sell them for $50. Is this a psychological trick that by charging more people think they're getting a better service and will then pay it?

Ken,

First off, your work is outstanding. I'm very impressed at the quality of your work. You have a very gifted eye for seeing as well as an equally gifted way of transferring what you see to a substrate. Kudos.

There is really no psychological trick involved in getting people to pay more for your work by charging them more. It's boils down to what their value system is.

As an example, if you were to advertise the exact same pair of shoes, and the price in one of your ads is $190.00 and the second ad was $17.95, people looking for a shoe that will last them a long time will choose the $190.00 price as being the one that satisfies their value system and also supports their belief that the quality is up to their standards.

These same people will immediately discount the cheaper pair as being inferior, and hence will not even consider a purchase.

If their value system is strickly based on price they will choose the cheaper pair figuring they could buy ten pairs for the price of the expensive ones so they don't care about the longevity of the product.

It basically gets down to who it is you want to sell to.

If you price it as a commodity, you will attract commodity buyers. If you price it as a premium product you will attract premium buyers.

I would suggest you price test, and pay a little less attention to your competitors who are almost giving away their wares.

I think your work deserves to be marketed in a higher range because my value system tells me that. I'll bet I'm not alone...

~Bill

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Jagged

14 years ago

You can't sell them because your not getting them in front of targeted customers. Once you get set up with some local joint venture partners & get your website running...things will pick up i'm sure....
Get your name out there where ever you can...
Photograghy studios
Wedding / party planners
Baby / Children boutiques
Florists (angela99 has a good list above...)

Even places like doctors, dentist offices....see is you can show a few pieces of your work...maybe rotate them...leave business card at the desk...

~Ken

Thanks

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Ken28

14 years ago

Jagged,

I got it. Bottom line is to first get my work in front of live people.

Bill,

Thanks kindly for the compliments! I understand what you are saying about value systems. Makes sense why the psychologist I print for often leaves me a tip. He is a very distinguished gentleman and owns a lovely home. He pays a little more because he understands he is receiving a premium product using the highest quality materials. I don't print with or on junk that is imported.

So how many people here want a painting? hahaha - j/k. I didn't come here to sell.

Thanks
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Cataclysm1987 14 years ago

Ken, here's an idea.

Why don't you market yourself to people on this forum as a graphic designer? It sounds like your skills could be used for logos, banners, or websites. Why not take that direction and see what happens?

Check out the Warriors for Hire section. With your talent, I'm sure there's someone on here, probably a LOT of people on here, who would love to put you to work.

Warriors For Hire
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Ken28

14 years ago

Designing logos and such requires extensive use of Photoshop tools. I could do it, but I don't think I'd be happy.

I like using my pen and tablet and creating real brush strokes and blending the paint together, just like on actual canvases when painting with oils.

I appreciate the thought, but painting and seeing the colours blend is more my thing - if that makes sense

Thanks

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Kevin_Hutto

14 years ago

Hey Ken,

Without reading every word of every reply, I would suggest you really get into facebook. A lot of musicians who really struggled selling their music online are thriving with FB... The reason is that a lot of the internet is problem/solution oriented -- like the yellow pages.... Your AC goes out and you get out the yellow pages and call an HVAC guy... Well, FB is more like a coffee shop... People are hanging out, talking about what they like and dont like, etc... and you can advertise directly to those people. If you can identify the different LIKES of your ideal customers, then you should be able to do quite well there. So, for instance if you wanted to do weddings, then it would be very easy to target everyone getting married... If you wanted to do kids, same thing... If you wanted to do say portraits of horses or something, you can target that demo. What I would do, is figure out a few areas like this and make "pages" for each of them... Then you can drive traffic to those pages for free by getting involved in the groups in the niches and even better (IMHO) you can drive traffic there with FB PPC for pennies a click.

So, if you were going to do the horse pictures... Then you would create a "page" about your horse pictures and have an optin on the page... Make a picture of a horse, upload it to your FB PPC ad and display it just to the people in the niche and then send them to your FB page and from there you can get them on your list and give them a quote or however you plan to transact the sale.

Bottom line, I think this is exactly the type of service that would thrive on FB.

Also, as an aside, I would try and hook myself up with all the churches and wedding planners, etc... as they are gatekeepers for potential customers for you too.

Thanks

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Ken28

14 years ago

I will check out the Facebook idea.

Thanks Kevin.

Thanks

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Kevin_Hutto

14 years ago

No prob... Let me know if you have any questions... I know several guys doing really well w/ FB and I bet you can too...

Thanks

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Will Edwards

14 years ago

Hi Ken

Think about starting an affiliate program.

Your work looks great and I am sure that there are people here who would love to promote it.

Will

Thanks
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pink sapphire 14 years ago

Ken, I don't have much to add to what has already been said, but I agree that you should raise your prices. Your skills are obvious, and if you can position your work in front of those who can afford to pay more, it will sell.

I used to make and sell jewellery, and was active in various jewellery design communities, and there were always a lot of people with fantastic work who were barely charging enough to cover their costs, because they thought their work wouldn't sell for more. Yet when they were persuaded to raise their prices, they ended up selling in greater quantities, because the perceived value of their work was greater. I had the same experience myself, and discovered that there are plenty of people out there who are willing and able to pay for quality original work. I'm sure it's the same in any field - you just need to target a different audience.

Look at it as an experiment - if you're not selling much now, you don't have much to lose, but there's a lot to gain!
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Ken28

14 years ago

Very true, Pink Sapphire. I've got nothing to lose now by raising prices. I'm going to do that along with some of the other suggestions on here and see how it goes.

Will, would you care to share more info about starting an affiliate program? Unfortunately, I might be a great artist, but my marketing and selling skills need some fine tuning!

I don't know how much to offer others to promote my art. Do I give them a percentage of each sale? If so, how much? It sounds like a wonderful idea, the affiliate program, I just don't know where to start with it.

I appreciate any help.

Thanks

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Don Schenk

14 years ago

Hi Ken,

Welcome to the warrior forum. You've been getting some good advice here.

I owned a photography studio for 38 years until I sold the business to one of my employees 2 years ago. Photo studios have been trying to make photos that look like painting by using the software called "Painter" to do the conversions. They sell these manipulated images for hundreds of dollars - $1,600. for a large print is not unusual.

Here you are painting on the computer. Wow! Nice work. Ken, your prices are waaaayyy too cheap. Ever hear of "starving artist?"

If you also paint other types of images, look at susieandersons.com (not an affiliate).

Susie is an artist from Hawaii, who makes a very nice living doing what you are talking about doing. Her husband is an accountant who worked for a large multi-national corporation, and he quit his job about 12 years ago to become Susie's "manager."

He does all the inkjet printing of her work, framing, and handles shipping. They buy their frames from a custom frame wholesaler. The frames come to them already assembled.

BTW The standard markup in framing is 300%, and I found the more expensive, better looking, high-class moulding sold much better than the ones that were cheap. Often I found the framing to generate almost as much as does the images. Thus another reason to sell the "art" at a higher price. It's difficult to sell a $175 frame for a $50 piece of art.

Susie exibits her work at galleries in Honolulu and at galleries here in Park City, and sells everything from packets of note cards to large Giclee prints on paper and canvas. Study her website. She uses the exhibits to send people to her site, and takes orders there. the galleries sell her originals.

She has done very well with it, so much so she and her husband have a lovely second home here in Park City. They live in Honolulu part of the year, and in Park City part of the year, which is how we became friends with them.

One word of caution about creating art from a photograph someone sends to you. Make absolutely sure it is not a photograph taken by a professional studio. There was an article a few years back in the magazine published by the P.P.A. (one of the professional trade association in the photo industry) about an artist who used a photographer's work as the basis for the painting.

The photographer, did the work of creating the lighting and the "look" in the photo, then the artist made a "painting" by working from this photograph using the photo as a basis for the painting. The photographer sued the artist for copyright infringement, and the artist wound up filing for bankruptcy.

The P.P.A. and another trade association called the A.S.M.P., have lawyers on staff whose job it is to go after any copyright infringement. They do take it VERY seriously.

Another idea: Hook up with a couple local portrait photographers, and have them sell "paintings" of their images to their clients. Why would the photographers want to have you make the "paintings?" Many independent photographers don't have the time, or the computer skills, or the software to turn their images into a painting.

Just some thoughts here. Keep reading the warrior forum to learn how to sell online.

:-Don

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Susanrh 14 years ago

Hi Ken,
I've come in late to this thread but I just wanted to suggest that you get yourself and some of your pictures to local craft fairs, school fetes and fundraisers, not necessarily to sell directly but to show the quality of your pictures to an audience that will appreciate them. Country fairs etc would be good too, any where that there will be people who have children, or animals that they adore.
Make a good display, half a dozen pictures on easels, would be enough and talk to people take names and email addresses, promote your website and give out leaflets, it may not bring instant results but your art is so good I'm sure you'll get plenty of interest you'll get plenty of contacts to follow up and people will remember you when they need a good picture.

Good luck!
Susan
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L7Naisly 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Don Schenk

The photographer, did the work of creating the lighting and the "look" in the photo...

:-Don

This is a good point as well google - Retain rights to reproductions.

L7Naisly
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- Ken28 14 years ago
  
  Wow!
  
  Thank you everyone for the replies! I certainly do plan on using many techniques shared here.
  
  One more question though. What would be the best way to combine all the different things I do into one? I mean, I do the paintings, but I also print photographs directly to canvas/paper without painting them, and I also photograph weddings (well, I shoot anything, but it seems to be mostly weddings). I do digital restoration on old and damaged photos. I create digital PSD templates so you can drag and drop photos into place on backgrounds to create a collage. I'm also a computer guru, but that obviously isn't related to this
  
  Is there a way to combine all this and let people know I do it all without having separate business cards, websites, etc...? What about a business name that says I "do it all"? Something, something Studios? Would studios be the correct word I'm looking for?
  
  L7Naisly - I'd love a message from you on kijiji for anything further you could provide advice on. I'll watch for it. Thanks!
  
  Thanks
  
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  L7Naisly 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Ken28
  
  I do digital restoration on old and damaged photos.
  
  Hi Ken,
  
  I would suggest you make up pamphlets for this and bring them to frame shops. This is something framers are always looking for. Since this is their bread and butter - Framing someones grandma. Bring them to photographers as well.
  
  Perhaps offer it at a wholesale price and suggest they add it to their services. Or barter framing...
  
  L7Naisly
  
  Thanks
  
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iamchrisgreen

14 years ago

Not sure if this is useful, but my friend Jon Burgerman sells TONS of art online in the form of canvas, toys, tshirts, iphone apps ... the list goes on...

Jon Burgerman | Webshite

Thanks

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ArticlesThatRock

14 years ago

Have you tried Etzy, your place to buy and sell all things handmade? It might be your best marketing channel.

Thanks

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cashcow

14 years ago

Hey Ken,

I can't give any better advice than those above me did but I wanted to say that you are an incredible artist and you should be valuing your work more highly.

I mean for $50 you can barely get a piece of wall art that is mass produced at Home Goods!

It's probably just that you don't have your name out there enough - people will pay good money for a child portrait or wedding portrait that is hand painted and once their friends come over and see it, then they will want one too.

So right now, you might think that you can barely sell them at $50 each but once you get yourself out there more, I am sure you will find that getting $250 is easy and that your work is in demand.

Lee