The Business of Art

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Note: You'll find that we continually use the term, "artist" in its broadest sense. We do so intentionally. By "artist" we mean fine artists, musicians, performing artists, photographers, writers and many others. We don't just mean painters.

Why a Web Site?

Let's be frank: don't think that you can get a Web site, fluff it out with some nice photos and examples of your work, then sit back and count the money as it rolls in.

It very rarely works that way.

We will be providing a wealth of resources about the business of selling your work or your performances. Our site is in its early stages of development and, as such, source material is being added as we find it. Please check back often to view more information.

It's all in the marketing.
A professionally done web site that portrays you and your work in its best light, along with a thoughtful marketing effort on your part, can definitely get results. A Web site is a very important part of selling your work-- but it needs your help. What are some of the things you can do?

Display your Web site's address on every advertisement, brochure and business card and as a signature to your e-mail messages. (www.yoursite.com or yoursite.com is all you need. The http:// part is not necessary.) It always surprises us to see expensive print ads that don't include the Web address. To add a signature to your e-mail messages if you use Microsoft Outlook Express, click on TOOLS > OPTIONS > SIGNATURES.
Think of your Web site as a capability brochure that runs 24/7 and where you may refer customers and other interested persons. This capability brochure function is a "must have" for your business development that's a separate issue from whether your work can be sold online via credit card payments. That is to say, some items just don't sell well from a Web site-- for example very expensive one-of-a-kind items that beg to be touched and felt. But even if you can't sell directly from your Web site you still need a site for your marketing. Potential customers may view your work on the site; you arouse their interest and then they contact you. For example, it's difficult to sell a $2,500 original artwork from a Web site; people understandably want to touch the work and to examine it up close. But you can certainly display expensive artwork to compel viewers to contact you about you and your work. You may reach people via your Web site who you couldn't otherwise reach.
If you're serious about making the big time in your field you'll need to approach galleries and get objective advice from an agent. Fine artists will want to read this article by Alan Bamberger for frank advice. And not so coincidentally, having a Web site is the cheapest, fastest and most practical way to steer agents and galleries all over the world to view samples of your work all day, every day.
Your best sales prospects are your current customers-- because they're buyers and you already have a relationship with them. Keep a list of customer e-mail addresses and let them know when you have new work for them to see. Again, post the new material on your Web site and point them there to view it.
Even if you have pricey originals that may not sell readily via credit card payments from your Web site you may certainly sell prints. Many artists successfully sell prints of their originals from their sites.
If you want to accept credit card payments for your work or your services we strongly endorse PayPal® as the most sensible solution for artists. Set up a business banking account and then set up a merchant account with PayPal®. (Even if you already have a personal account you'll need a merchant account backed up by a business checking account to accept credit card payments from a Web site.) They handle everything-- even currency exchange. The best part about PayPal® for the artist is that, unlike conventional credit card acceptance methods, there are no monthly fees. You won't pay the percentage of sale and the transaction fee until the sale is made. They even handle the currency exchange. In our experience with PayPal® everything has run smoothly. Click on the link at the bottom of this page to sign up.

For Fine Artists.
ArtBusiness.com - Artist's Agent Alan Bamberger's extensive list of articles on selling your work, dealing with agents, galleries and reality. An excellent information source from a recognized authority.

Sell your work worldwide. Accept credit card payments on your Web site.
We recommend PayPal® as the most cost-effective way to sell your work online.
No sale, no fee. And, importantly, there are no startup costs and no monthly fees
as with the conventional credit card acceptance plans. Payments are transferred
directly into your bank account. Just click below to set up your account and to start
accepting most credit cards. Buyers no longer need to "sign up" with PayPal® to pay you.
If you need help with integrating Paypal® with your Web site, e-mail us.

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