Works of art have great value in the modern world, but selling them can be challenging. Selling paintings online has undergone a rapid transformation recently. The global online art market consists of buyers and sellers trading via the internet in works of art, antiques, digital artworks, and collectibles commonly associated with the arts and culture sector.
Online transactions represented around a tenth of the global art market value in 2019. However, this changed drastically in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
As a result, while the total art market value dropped by nearly 14 billion U.S. dollars in 2020 over the previous year, total sales of the online art and antique market roughly doubled. It reached over 12 billion U.S. dollars and accounted for almost a quarter of global sales.The shift was primarily due to buyers seeking safe havens for their money and selling their physical assets, including works of art.
According to Statista, the global art market reached nearly 1 trillion U.S. dollars in 2017. Selling digital artworks online generated around 9 billion dollars. These days even professional artists sell their works through websites such as eBay and Amazon at competitive prices because they see its potential earning power.
To reap the highest possible returns from selling paintings online, it is crucial to ensure that you’ve done your research beforehand. Keep reading below for some tips on selling paintings online.
Research the market.
Before selling paintings online, you should make some comparisons first to see how much certain items cost. Then, you can use various websites like eBay and Amazon to compare prices. In addition, art galleries can enable you to determine the current selling prices of similar products.
This way, you will know roughly how much your paintings are worth. When selling paintings online, it is always best to go for a price that’s slightly lower than what you think they’re worth. This applies in the early stages when you are establishing your brand.
Researching new artists is vital when selling paintings online.
The art market never remains stagnant for too long. So, being aware of new upcoming artists who people have yet to discover is one of the most effective selling strategies at the moment.
The art niche is a tiny loyal niche. It thrives through community building. Reach out to new artists and build a relationship with them. The same people will link you up to new opportunities down the road.
Ensure you package your paintings properly
Make sure that you carefully package each item before you deliver them. Proper packaging will prevent any damage to the paintings. A damaged painting will disappoint the client. Remember, paintings have a lot of sentimental value.
If possible, send an email with instructions to help buyers hang your painting once it has arrived at its destination.
Adequate information is vital when selling paintings online.
As mentioned previously, paintings and other forms of artwork have a lot of sentimental value to both the buyer and the seller. Add a little bit of information about yourself on your online selling page. Information about the painting itself is also crucial in attracting clients. When did you do the painting? What was the motivation behind the painting? These are some questions clients seek answers to.
Potential buyers must be aware of your experience and track record as an artist before they invest their money into buying one of your pieces. For example, suppose you want to be successful in selling paintings online. In that case, experts recommend that you take some time to learn more about this process beforehand. This will enable you to formulate a selling plan towards achieving your desired goal.
Create a website to market yourself and your artwork.
As mentioned previously, clients need information about yourself, your experience, and the motivations behind your work. Unfortunately, it may not be easy to include this on selling pages of online marketplaces such as Amazon.
Therefore, a website is crucial to an artist for this purpose—research the best colour combinations for your website. Let your landing page be as visually appealing as possible to visitors. After that, ensure your website is as informative as possible about yourself and your paintings. Leave no doubts in your potential client’s mind.
High-quality images are crucial in setting your paintings apart from other artists online. Invest in professional photography if you aren’t skilled enough in photography.
A blog is a necessity for your website. You can use the blog to give detailed information about the different paintings. The blog will also showcase your art knowledge and expertise. In addition, a blog is vital in increasing your chances of visibility online. Learn more about Search Engine Optimization and the use of keywords to boost your online visibility.
Selling only high-quality original paintings is vital when selling paintings online.
In many jurisdictions, it’s against the law to sell replicas. It’s an infringement of the owner’s intellectual property rights. There are increased efforts by brands and relevant authorities to track the individual’s selling replicas online.
Therefore, as an artist, focus on only selling high-quality original paintings online. Selling replicas destroys your brand. In addition, you give the impression that you are a phony artist. Suppose the paintings aren’t your own; research extensively on the painting. Art experts have been warning of a surge in fake art online.
Leverage social media
Social media is critical for anyone looking to sell paintings online. Platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest have been valuable to artists over the years. Social media platforms are also crucial in building a loyal community.
In addition, it allows the seller to engage with the clients personally, thereby building trust. Learn the different marketing strategies applicable to each platform.
Selling paintings online has become more popular than selling them in traditional art galleries or exhibitions.
This method provides opportunities for both buyers and sellers that weren’t available before. For example, selling artworks online can require less time coordinating appointments with clients. Furthermore, the artist spends less on fees since there is no need to pay gallery commissions. In addition, it also allows you to sell your items anywhere in the world where there is an internet connection.
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