Ways to Make Money From Your Art

If your talents lean in the artistic direction, don't fall into the trap of believing that you have to be a starving artist. A profession in the arts can be quite lucrative if you know how to market yourself. Here are some tips to get you started.

First, don't underestimate your abilities. While many people have a passing interest in arts, or occasionally produce something crafty, few have the discipline to turn that interest into a career. Selling art requires a diverse set of skills: marketing, sales, networking, and the various artistic skills necessary for production. Also, for every person that has an interest in the arts, there is at least one more who has no artistic ability at all. These non-artists often have a great appreciation for the work that artists create, and are willing to pay for great artwork. So don't be intimidated by competition.

Second, take stock of your strengths and study how those strengths can be turned into marketable works of art. Study the market carefully and focus your efforts on making art that is practical. Customers may not be willing to bend their budget for a unique painting, but they might buy a decorative mailbox if their current mailbox is rusty. By using your artistic skills to decorate everyday things that people need, you make it much easier for customers to justify the purchase. You'll make more money and your customers will feel less guilt about the purchase.

Now that you are creating marketable artwork, start finding new outlets for displaying your wares. Craft shows are only the beginning. Search your local area for stores that sell art and show them some samples. They may purchase your work outright, or agree to sell it on consignment. Also consider selling your work over the Internet. Setting up an online store is much less difficult these days and requires only a minimal investment. You can reach an incredibly large market via the Internet if you spend some time learning how to promote your online store. To maximize your sales, emphasize the themes in your work and seek out online communities based around those themes. For example, if you paint animals, market your website to the many online groups devoted to pet ownership, conservation, and any other communities that would appreciate animals.

You can also use your existing family and friend networks to spread the news. Those who are close to you may not be the most likely to purchase your work, but if you give them some art as a gift, they will likely tell their friends where it came from, and that could lead to more money as the news spreads.

Also consider lending your artwork to local coffeehouses, restaurants, dental offices, and so on. These places need to decorate their dining or waiting areas, and would likely be glad to save some money by showing your work instead of purchasing art. This gives you some free advertising, and these businesses may offer to purchase your work on the spot.