This guide is divided into five sections:
1. Artist websites (blogs, photo galleries, and personal websites)
2. Online art galleries (collective)
3. Online stores
4. Auction and classified ad sites
5. Helpful guides and resources
Artist websites
You can promote yourself using a blog, photo gallery or personal website:
Blogs
"Blogs" or weblogs are online journals used by artists to share their thoughts and promote their work. The most famous art blog is the “Painting a Day” concept site by Duane Keiser. An example of a local artist is the Nancy Standlee Art Blog. Blogs are easy to use -- they're much like composing an email message. Digital photos and images are loaded easily. You can set up a subscriber service so that interested parties receive your latest posting automatically. Some examples of free blogs:
Blogspot http://blogspot.com
LiveJournal http://livejournal.com
TypePad http://www.typepad.com/
WordPress http://wordpress.com
Photo Galleries
An informal artist gallery can be constructed by using an online photo site. Editing of images is not required but, of course, they would look better if you do. Many of these sites actually have online photo editing tools. Negotiating payment with a buyer can be tricky. Payment may be arranged by email or phone; PayPal is a useful resource for this. Caveat: Some sites may permit the public to download your images or have photos developed. Some free sites:
Flikr http://flikr.com
PhotoBucket – Photobucket will link to eBay or blogs http://photobucket.com
Qoop http://www.qoop.com
Shuterfly http://shutterfly.com
Snapfish http://snapfish.com
Personal websites
There are many free sites where you can build your own gallery -- your own telecommunications host may offer you one. If you don't know how to do web design, look for a site that offers templates or website creation software. To find a local webmaster, check out the websites of other local artists. If you wish to sell art directly off your website, you can employ several payment methods: PayPal, credit cards, cashier's checks and communication by phone or email. Many web hosting services offer free templates, as well as fee-based graphic services, shopping carts, and credit purchasing support.
There is much advice about the design of artist websites -- just keep it simple, readable and professional. Don't go overboard with personal details or your artist statement. If working with galleries, pricing is a sensitive issue for them so you may not want to display prices.
Keep in mind that unless you are well-known, personal websites usually receive miniscule amounts of purchasing traffic in comparison to online collective galleries, stores or auction sties. The problem with a group site is a different one - that of standing out amidst the crowd. Some free sites:
Award Space http://www.awardspace.com/
Freehostia http://freehostia.com/
Yahoo Geocities http://geocities.yahoo.com/home/
Online Art Galleries
There several types: local collectives, virtual versions of real art galleries, online communities, and online collective galleries (many of which could also be considered a type of online store – see the next section for more online art stores). There are thousands of sites out there -- here are a few examples:
AbsoluteArts.com - The Artist/Premiere Portfolio services represent over 150,000 works by over 24,000 artists from around the world. (also an online store) Levels of membership from free to $100 per year. http://absolutearts.com
Aurora Images Art - a local virtual gallery operated by Synne Magar Ferguson. $60/yr http://www.auroraimagesart.com/
CritiqueMyArt - a free place where artists post their art and their news and other artists and art lovers respond. Very much like a community Blog. http:CritiqueMyArt.com
Dallas Arts Revue Member Pages - A gallery created by webmaster J R Compton. $75/yr for up to six images. He also offers free photography services and eligibility to participate in one or more local exhibitions. http://dallasartsrevue.com
DailyOriginal.com - Launching Nov. 2008. Plano-based. http://www.dailyoriginal.com
EBSQ - Self Representing Artists
Includes artist directory and portfolios. Combines an online arts community atmosphere with easy-to-use tools to do DIY marketing and allow you to link to where you sell your art: eBay.com (has auction posting tools), etsy.com, Imagekind.com or your personal Blog or website. $7.50 monthly min. http:// www.ebsqart.com/
LicensArt.com – provides free space for artist portfolios to showcase their work to companies interested in licensing art for commercial use. http://licensart.com/
PaintingsDirect - One of the largest offering of original artworks on the web. Representing over 500 artists from more than 40 countries, the site boasts over 10,000 original paintings, photographs and limited edition prints. Juried -- to join first submit slides of your artwork to the Curatorial Department for review. (also an online store) http:/paintingsdirect.com
Online stores
Sell your original art or prints - some sites offer merchandise made with your art images. The stores usually offer free basic accounts, which may be upgraded for more capacity. Here are a few examples:
CafePress – Offers a wide variety of merchandise you design including t-shirts, posters, prints, calendars, stamps, mugs, magnets, mousepads, bumper stickers and much more. FREE online shop. Cafepress produces each item when ordered, handles all payment transactions and filling of orders. Markup the base price by the amount you wish to earn for each product you sell. Note: free accounts are limited in the no. of products you can offer; Premium Shops are $60/yr. http://cafepress.com
DeviantART - Largest art gallery and community in the world - As a member, you can collect favorites, submit art, and track your friends and favorite artists. Free and choice membership levels. Offers a wide variety of merchandise you design including photo prints, canvas prints, calendars, puzzles, mousepads, mugs, coasters, postcards and magnets. Membership $30/yr; Premium Prints Subscription Accounts $24.95/yr. http://deviantart.com
Etsy - Sell your art or handcrafted items or almost anything! Sign up - free, your own shop - free, listing an item - 20 cents, selling - 3.5% fee. All listings include up to 5 images and stay up for 4 months. Seller chooses what payment methods used; Etsy recommend PayPal, as it facilitates instant payment and offers anti-fraud protection. http://etsy.com
EtsyDallas, a local group that you can join, coordinates local publicity and sales events in Dallas. http://etsydallas.com
Imagekind - Create and sell art prints with your own framed designs - all with no upfront costs. Get a free online gallery and promote your art on your website or in our marketplace. Imagekind handles all product creation, credit card processing, shipping, and customer service! Markup your art, and keep 100% of the profit; earn 15% commission on frames, mats and glazing; nothing to buy, stock, or ship. Note: Limited no. of images free; more capacity with monthly ($8-12) or yearly fees ($95). http://imagekind.com
Lulu – Self-publishing site -- create books and printed merchandise and sell them. Products include art portfolios, photo books, posters, calendars and art prints as well as other kinds of publications. Lulu produces each item when ordered, and handles all payment transactions and filling of orders. Markup the base price by the amount you wish to earn for each product you sell. Free accounts. http://lulu.com
RedBubble - RedBubble is an art community and online art gallery that makes it easy to sell your art, photos, designs and illustrations as high-quality framed prints, mounted prints, canvas prints, greeting cards, posters, designer T-Shirts and more. RedBubble produces each product when ordered, and handles all payment transactions and filling of orders. Markup the base price by the amount you wish to earn for each product you sell. Free accounts. http://redbubble.com
Auction & classified ad sites
ArtByUs Art Auctions – Only original art – no mass reproductions allowed. No fees except optional feature plus ($9.95) or bold ($1) fees. Typical bidding and Buy It Now format. Helpful marketing tools & art community. PayPal recommended. Will interconnect with your website so you can feature your auctions too. http://www.artbyus.com/
eBay – The largest online auction site and also the largest art auction site – over a million postings of art and crafts items at any one time. Famous artists and lower-priced art are the best sellers. Typical bidding and Buy It Now format. Online store fronts also available. Special art categories. Helpful marketing tools and fraud deterrants. PayPal recommended. Fees for posting (based on initial selling price), selling (based on a percentage of the final sale price), hosting of images and listing upgrades. http://ebay.com
YourArtAuction: No commission art auction. Seller register with a one time fee of $10.00. Listing fees for art. http://www.yourartauction.com/ - .
School Age Art Auction: An auction just for younger artist - no commission. http://schoolageartauction
Craig’s List – Free classified ad service. Dallas – Fort Worth is one of the specific areas served. Ads can include up to four images; run 45 days; and are limited to one ad placed every 48 hours. Category to list in: For Sale: Arts+Crafts. Other art-related categories: Community: Artists; Jobs: Art/Media/Design; Services: Creative. Free accounts. A great resource for marketing locally. http://dallas.craigslist.org
Helpful guides and resources
"I'd Rather Be in the Studio! The Artist's No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion by Alyson B. Stanfield, published by Pentas Press, Feb. 2008. Offers practical approaches that help you sell more art and build an art career that lasts. Alyson B. Stanfield, the art-marketing guru behind ArtBizCoach.com, shares self-promotion tools that have enhanced the careers of thousands of artists. You'll learn how to: (1) Introduce yourself as an artist so people want to know more; (2) Nail your artist statement to discover the right words for all of your marketing messages; (3) Expand your mailing list and use it to cultivate collectors; (4) Create marketing materials that outshine the competition; (5) Become a media magnet so buyers come to you; (6) Take advantage of your Web site and blog to build a bigger audience; and much more.
"Marketing and Buying Fine Art Online: A Guide for Artists and Collectors" by Marques Vickers, published by Allworth Press, which publishes many art business books. This comprehensive resource walks artists, galleries, and resellers through the process of establishing an effective website geared to attract viewers, promote sales, and establish long-term, credible presence. http://allworth.com
"Selling Art Without Galleries: Toward Making a Living From Your Art" by Daniel Grant, published by Allworth Press, Nov. 2006. This comprehensive guide takes you beyond the walls of ultra-competitive commercial galleries. Learn how to exhibit and sell your work in a host of nontraditional venues, including online, through open studio events, on cruise ships, and in hospitals, restaurants, and art fairs. http://allworth.com
ArtBizCoach and Art Biz Blog: Art marketing secrets, research and motivation by Alyson B. Stanfield http://artbizcoach.com and http://www.artbizblog.com Check out Helpful Sites and Services for Your Art Business & Career; Web Sites, Blogs, and Technology for Artists. Both website and blog offer free email newsletters.
Art Print Issues: a business blog for visual artists by Barney Davey. http://barneydavey.blogs.com/
eBay: Art Selling Guide. http://pages.ebay.com/buy/guides/art-selling-guide/ (there are 1000+ user-created guides on buying and selling art on eBay – go to http://reviews.ebay.com/ and click on the category Art.)
How to Sell Art Online. By Barney Davey on the eHow.com site. http://www.ehow.com/how_4695109_sell-art-online.html
Selling Art Online: Information on Where (and How) to Sell Art on the Internet
http://emptyeasel.com/selling-art-online/
PayPal – online payment system for auctions and websites. The service allows anyone to pay in any way they prefer, including through credit cards, bank accounts, buyer credit or account balances, without sharing financial information. http://paypal.com
Art Fraud, Fake Art and Mass-produced Paintings on Ebay, Yahoo and other Internet Sites http://www.paulinewalshjacobson.com/art_frauds_fakes.htm
Fotoflexor - free online photo editing site http://fotoflexer.com/
Picnik - another excellent free online photo editing site http://picnik.com
Web Photo Resizer - free online photo editing site http://www.webresizer.com/
Web Photo Fixers - review article at PC World
About.com: Graphics Software – Tips, tutorials and information on graphics software. http://graphicssoft.about.com/ Check out Tutorials for Essential Techniques in Photoshop Elements
Photographing your artwork: Angie Vangalis gives you tips on shooting your artwork with a digital camera. http://artgroupsdfw.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=754
How to Photograph Art by J R Compton. http://www.dallasartsrevue.com/resources/How-to-Photo-Art.shtml
How to Build a Website & Make Money - a very general guide http://www.freewebsiteproviders.com/website-tutorial.htm
Posted by moderator at 08:43:00. Filed under: Art Careers
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