2K14 Art Marketing Tips

Success is neither magical or mysterious.  Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals.~Jim Rohn

Art 2K14 was my third art challenge in a row. I am still learning about myself, my art and the business of marketing as I complete each challenge. My focus was to continue to paint 15,000 to 20,000 square inches for the year, but my biggest focus and challenge was to market and sell more art. It turned out to be a very successful year. In fact, my 2K14 sales was 4 x’s the amount that I sold the first challenge, as I consecutively doubled each year. I would like to share some of the things I learned this year and perhaps you can tell me what worked for you this year.

If you don’t make your art public and available for your customers to see your sales will be random.

Out of site out of mind.

Not every venue is the best venue for your work.

You need to know who your customers are.

The more you try different venues, restaurants, country clubs, wineries, galleries, etc. the easier it will be to find out what is more effective and productive for sales.

Build a relationship with your customers and reward them for being your customers.

Great customers love your work and are great promoters of your work, use it to your benefit and their benefit.

Brainstorm and be creative with new ideas and venues for your art.

If a venue was very successful, try to line up the next year with duplicate venue that can either be the same or evolve into something bigger.

It’s important that your art is sold by people who love your work.  

Keep in contact with your customers, through newsletters, email, snail mail or visits; let them know what you are up to.

Remember your customer’s taste. When you paint something you know they would like, personally contact them and give them first choice.

Make sure you know what your dollar goal is for the year. Keep track of your sales monthly, to figure out your pace for the year.

If you succeed your goal, please keep up the momentum and take advantage of the sales.

Sales come in spurts.

Always be building inventory because without inventory there is no sales.

Have a variety of art to fit all your customer’s needs.

Make sure you save enough of your money from your sales to cover your supplies and extra costs.

Be willing to invest in high quality materials, including framing; your customers will notice.

And lastly, if you start becoming really successful, don’t sabotage yourself. You deserve your success, because you worked hard for it. Keep up the momentum.

*15,000 square inches completed for 2K14

** “Lost Horizon” 36″ x 36″, acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, Price $3240, If you would like to purchase this painting please contact me at jvander51@msn.com or call (408)460-7237  Thank you!