Are artists and galleries managing to sell art online?
Eni Oken
I've been reading and researching a lot (books, web), but I cannot seem to
come to a conclusion: is anybody making real sales over the Internet, that
is, selling contemporary works over websites? Are collectors interested or
not?
It seems like some artists are doing really well, while others have no
benefit at all, even from good websites.
Perhaps anyone would like to share their experiences...
Thanks,
Eni
-----------------
DNALJM
>come to a conclusion: is anybody making real sales over the Internet, that
>is, selling contemporary works over websites? Are collectors interested or
>not?
>
Here's what I've done, I make about 400-500 a month. I take a painting or
offer a portrait and dub it the "hook." This is a giveaway at first glance,
and it is to generate interest. The later sales of paintings, (more expensive)
and tips round out the income. People tell me that I am "giving away" my
artwork.* Everyone on this example tipped me 30-60 dollars with one exception.
I also sold a painting, a drawing, and had someone ask me to do three more
drawings with the tip intact.
I need the money and it rounds out my income so I can be alive and buy more
expensive art materials, as well as a few books and whotnot. I also like the
idea that people have my work in their houses and it's "out there." I get
letters from people who are very happy and I print them out, they make me feel
good. They can probably afford to frame it too which I can't do.
If you put up your art for thousands of dollars, very few people have that
kind of disposable income, and the chances of them spending it at your website
out of millions on the web is pretty slim.
* http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3536658093
Jane
Andrew D
<e...@oken3d.com> wrote:
>Hi Everybody,
>I've been reading and researching a lot (books, web), but I cannot seem to
>come to a conclusion: is anybody making real sales over the Internet, that
>is, selling contemporary works over websites? Are collectors interested or
>not?
>
>It seems like some artists are doing really well, while others have no
>benefit at all, even from good websites.
I can't share an experience but I will offer an opinion.
I "feel" that there are many barriers which can easily prevent someone
buying a painting. The most obvious one is affordability - but that
differs with each potential buyer.
I would assume that many people would happily spend modest amounts on
prints from a website, providing the web images are of sufficient quality
and the buying process relatively painless. If the same prints are readily
available at the local shops for the same or slightly higher price, then I
suspect most people would prefer to buy there instead.
As for original art I believe there are a few important factors that
determine success on the web:
Firstly, again, is price. If the originals are very cheap and the on-site
images are of good quality, then sales would probably be okay (assuming
the product has a market in the first place).
If the product is more expensive (hundreds or thousands of dollars per
item) then unless the artist is well established and the customer is
already familiar with them, then selling is likely to be low. For example,
if you know Robert Hagan's work and you see an original, typical Hagan for
sale for a price you find acceptable, you might well buy it because you
already know what you're likely to receive. But if you see a Berty
Smiggins image that looks okay but you have no idea of what an original
Smiggins looks like then, unless you can find out a lot more about the
artist, you're unlikely to commit hundreds of dollars.
Paintings ar e more than just an image. There's texture, framing, size,
visual impact and a whole host of indescribable "feelings" in an original
piece that simply can't be projected on the internet.
That is my gut feeling (I work in advertising) and it may well explain why
some artists enjoy web success while others don't.
Perhaps more important than any of the above, or at least equally
important, is the quality of the website itself. If you have dozens of
javascript links, Flash-intros, popups, animated logos combined with
lengthy diatribe, difficult navigation, slow picture loads, adverts, links
and controversial opinions all held together by bright, bold, random
colours with a multitude of fonts and special effects typography, then
unless your buyers are teenagers, you might find sales a bit thin.
An easy to navigate and professional looking website gives you a far
better chance of dragging a few extra dollars out of a potential buyer. If
you aren't a web designer - or even a designer - and have little
understanding of the workings of HTML then the chances of falling foul of
the problems associated with cheap (or free) web-design software are high.
Think about all the things that annoy you about other people's websites -
and make sure your website doesn't have the same "features"! If you can't
do a decent job of it yourself and can't see the sense in paying someone
else to do it (or simply can't afford to) then it might be best not to
have a website at all because a poor website reflects on you as an artist.
(This same principle should extend right through your entire approach to
selling - from invitations to business cards to press ads... etc)
Andy D.
"I'm a great speller - but a hopless tpyist!"
bruin70
buy online unless they are already familiar with the artist. rich
buyers like to travel or visit galleries.
Neil Maxwell
>Hi Everybody,
>I've been reading and researching a lot (books, web), but I cannot seem to
>come to a conclusion: is anybody making real sales over the Internet, that
>is, selling contemporary works over websites? Are collectors interested or
>not?
I've bought a fair bit of art over the 'net. It's been a mix of ebay
and dedicated auction sites, mostly for Japanese woodblocks, but also
other works like lithos and prints. Generally, I buy stuff I'm
familiar with to some extent, and most of it is 18th-19th century,
with a bit of early 20th thrown in.
When it comes to random modern art, I prefer to see it in person
first, since it's so hard to get a strong feel for it on the web.
I've been tempted a few times recently, but times are tighter than
they used to be...
Neil Maxwell - I don't speak for my employer
judith
around the world via email. These are people who have attended the space,
spoken with the staff, know the calibre of the exhibits and the operation.
The staff have learned the art preferences of these 'potential buyers' and
email them images of new works they think will be appreciated. She's doing
very well on the net.
Eni Oken wrote in message ...
sunstonemaria
Hi Eni,
I believe that it is possible to do real sales over the Internet with
the help of various practical marketing strategies, good customer
service and hard work.
As a matter of fact my wife Maria is an artist and we've started a
small business about 10 months ago. So far all of our sales have been
through Internet and we've sold over 70 original paintings and we are
already profitable. What we observe is that customers come back (and
tell others about you) if they have a good experience with you.
Initially we have kept the prices low intentionally and assumed no
profit for 1-2 years, in order to expand our customer base and reach
to new people. This encourages people to purchase paintings and once
they see the quality and the professional service, they come back.
Since we started, the demand and our prices increased gradually and we
have a 100% satisfied customer base.
One of the good things about an Internet based business is that after
the initial setup (web hosting service, softwares etc.) it has minimal
running cost. Once you have an original painting ready, just take its
good quality digital picture and post it on your website. No gallery
commissions involved, no need for preparing slides and other things
you need to provide to the galleries to get your art displayed on
them. The catch is, you spend more time marketing your website and art
"yourself".
I think the key thing is to have time for operating a business while
creating art. Some artists may not have enough time to be successful
in both. In our case Maria takes care of the creative art side of the
business, and I enjoy doing the rest.
Moreover, an Internet based business should utilize Internet marketing
tools (e.g, google ads) and markets (e.g, ebay), and keep on renewing
itself.
Also, for an artist who already has a non-Internet business, Internet
can be a great way to obtain new customers, or to let previous
customers stay informed about her/his most recent art.
Best Regards,
Ersin
Mike Stengl
How do the google ads work? cost and how posted? any info actually.
thanks. also the ebay thing. examples of how this has worked for you.