Sell Art in an Online Gallery
If you don't have the chance or the inclination to sell your works of art through art shows or exhibitions, an online gallery may be your best option. Because the actual work of promoting, selling and organizing your portfolio actually falls on the hands of the gallery, you are left to the creative side of the business with little to no interruption.
Instructions
1. Locate a gallery that fits your budget, style and business goals. Some galleries will require you to pay a flat fee to list your items, while others will take a percentage of the sale. You also need a gallery that limits the number of artists it displays. An online art gallery with 1,000 different artists may not be as successful as one with 100, simply because buyers will get lost and may never find your work among the competition.
2. Choose an online gallery that uses different techniques to showcase the art it sells. Some galleries offer incentives to buyers (discounts on second items or free shipping), while others have contests or giveaways. A gallery that is simply a listing of names will do little to attract customers willing to spend money.
3. Find an art gallery that allows you to create and sell prints of your work. Rather than focusing on your original work only, these types of galleries cash in on secondary sales, including personalized gifts, framed prints and even computer downloads. This is a great way to expand your earning system without any additional work.
4. Ask whether the gallery sells art through direct transactions, auctions, or through connections with art studios and brick-and-mortar galleries and shows. The more options a gallery offers, the greater the chance you will be able to sell your work.
5. Clarify in writing anything you don't understand about the operation of the gallery. Some galleries act as intermediaries, showcasing your work and closing the transaction, but you are in charge of mailing the work to the client once the sale is finalized. Other galleries sell only secondary works (prints, products) created from a scan of your original work. Finally, many galleries actually take your work and finalize the whole transaction without your intervention.
