what are you top three favorite places to sell art?

[Donald_Smith]

Hi,

I'm not making this a poll, because there are too many options and combinations.

I thought knowing this would maybe help people to create or improve their marketing strategies.

Thanks for your input,
Donald

[kasunart]

1-my own retail/studio gallery where people find me and buy or commission work;
2-my website where people who've seen me buy more or buy after seeing my work in person
3-the 3 other galleries that show my work

I used to do art fairs which would have been #1 and #2 but I don't do them any more.
#3, other galleries, went from a much bigger % of my sales to a very small % in recent years. Maybe 5-10%

[Greg Long]

1, Direct sales.
2, direct commissions.
3, all others....
It doesn't help you I know, but I love every sale . The most successful sales avenues are usually the ones we put most work and effort into. My most successful sales area would be through Galleries as they do the work. (that's why I pay them the big bucks) If I sell half the amount directly I make the same money though, so obviously direct sales will be my favourite.

[timelady]

1. My best sales are still through my remaining galleries, when they include me in group shows.
2. Direct sales to people who visit the studio (this can be open studio days, or people who already have work who want to see more, or people who email and want to see it for the first time - either way the visit clinches sales)
3. eBay for small drawings

[Diane Cutter]

1. The gallery I'm in here on the island (paintings and hand-pulled prints).
2. The once monthly outdoor set up at the rainforest (woodcuts & small items)
3. Etsy (people who have seen my work at the two above and sometimes total strangers).

Diane

[Donald_Smith]

Stephen, Greg, Timelady, and Diane, thank you so much for your replies. Some of them were surprising. There is so much competition on Ebay and Etsy that I glad to see someone is successful selling through those avenues.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I'm not a pro, but I have sold a few. Most have been through me sending out an email to my friends, then they look at my latest web page, then wondering around through my different pages and seeing something they want. I've hung in a restaraunt too, but finally decided the owner was getting something for nothing. She wasn't paying me to have my art decorate the walls. She didn't take any commission on sales, but then didn't put up prices either. I asked her and she said, "The other artists complained that it was too commercial to put up prices." I asked, "How are people supposed to know the art is for sale if there isn't a sign telling them? You don't go into McDonalds and see the art on the wall and think, "I wonder if I can buy that. You know it's a decoration, and they assume the owner bought the art for the same purpose. I did make one sale, but again it was from me sending out an email telling my friends that my art was hanging there. So they probably went in, bought something looked at the art, picked one they liked, and then contacted me. Again the owner was getting free advertising and not returning to the artist. A valuable lesson for me.

1) emails
2) Word of mouth
3) I don't really have one yet.

Thanks again,
Donald
PS: What are your thoughts on furniture stores as a place to sell art?

[Diane Cutter]

I don't know of anyone who has made sales in a furniture store. People are there to buy furnishings not paintings so unless the store is 'throwing in the painting' as a suite-ener (sorry, I couldn't resist), I'd say don't bother. Unless, of course, the furniture stores buy the paintings from you. Consignment is a bookkeeping nightmare, keeping track of your work, when and if it sells, damage, replacement of unsold pieces, etc.

Likewise restaurant/cafe settings. I've made sales there but they were mostly to acquaintances that were invited to the opening. Too much wear and tear on the paintings with cooking going on as well as uninformed wait staff...

Others may have more positive experiences.

Diane

[artyczar]

1. My Website
2. My Galleries
3. My Studio

[EyeSpy]

1. Gallery shows -- solo or group. A gallery is one place you can be sure to find art lovers, not just random foot traffic. I've never had regular gallery representation, but have participated in several month-long shows. All were awesome, overall.

2. My online POD (print on demand) sites. Prints are my stock in trade, and I'm totally spoiled by finding great places to exhibit, print, handle transactions, and ship my work. FineArtAmerica and Zazzle are my favorites, and are the most productive.

3. Offbeat venues like coffee shops and day spas, where I've been lucky enough to find long-term partnerships that paid off in regular sales. Also, it's great to have a 'real world' space to meet with clients, where my art is showcased and easily viewable while we talk . . . and to hang my work in a place that will feed me, comp. The trick with these types of venues is to match your work (framed prints, in my case) and price point with compatible clientèle.

These are my favorite venues, though I've been known to sell a print right out of my portfolio, while in a doctor's waiting room or on a bus stop.

What I don't do, anymore, is big, outdoor art fairs.

[RobinZ]

1. My website.
2. Facebook & twitter.
3. Etsy.

Both 2 and 3 are gaining on #1.

[Donald_Smith]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'll try to find the time to tally it up and post the results.

I can see now I'm going to have to sign up for Etsy..

Donald

[RobinZ]

Etsy's a hard sale, you really have to work it, especially for originals. But you reach a whole new audience.

[Diane Cutter]

Robin is right... Etsy is not an instantly profitable market. Rather it gives a venue where people who are comfortable with online shopping can purchase your work. Though I've had strangers buy from me, most of my buyers have been people who have seen my work and want more.

Diane

[wmlholt]

Etsy is a tough sale. I've noticed a lot of traditional printmakers are selling inkjet prints of their "original" prints, the price point being about $20. Not sure how I feel about this trend, but it seems to be working for a lot of sellers.

[RobinZ]

Ew, I think that's a horrible trend and self defeating.