The Written Description of your Artwork is Critical

If you’re a self-taught artist who wants to sell your art online, coming up with 200 or 300 words may seem like a daunting task; after all, you’re an artist, not a writer! That said, when you want to promote your creative works on the Internet, using words – the RIGHT words – is essential. In fact, the written description of your art can be just as critical as the visual in the virtual world. You have to “sell” the virtues and features of your work, offering vivid descriptions for potential buyers.

How to See Your Artwork From Your Buyer’s Point of View

You’re not a writer, and maybe your marketing skills aren’t so great, either. Online, you have to look at your paintings, sketches, and drawings from the potential buyer’s point of view, describing the benefits and features in a way that engages the potential buyer. Art work can be challenging to sell (for a good price), however by connecting the emotional and story value to the work you will increase the value. Details in your descriptions and artist statement will elevate your work. Learn how to write an artist statement here.

Achieve success selling your art online with these tips.

Paint a vivid picture with words.
Describe your creation as if the interested party could not see the painting or drawing. Think of it this way: Pretend the words you use to describe your work is the only experience the reader will ever have of it.

Include details of the colors, being very descriptive about their effect. For instance, dark blue may be included with the word “dusky.” Other descriptive words describing the intensity of color can include diffused, radiant, luminous.

Consider the feeling you can evoke through words.
If a potential client is looking for a painting to use as the focal point over a sofa in the living room, he/she isn’t looking for a sunset with lots of purple and orange. The client is thinking more in terms of a distinctive, eye-catching piece that will evoke a relaxed, soothing feeling. Your words should make potential buyers FEEL the mood or tone of the painting.

Owning Art as a Status Symbol
I’ve found it strange that people who can spend thousands of dollars on furniture in an upscale home will resort to off the shelf cheap art prints mass produced in China. My thoughts are… they don’t think about the wall. Or they don’t know there is a better option. Market your work as a status symbol. An investment. Buying original art can have a financial basis and the potential future value of the painting or sculpture may have been the deciding factor.

Owning original art can lend an air of success to the recipient of the art. It can also be a status symbol of culture, value and meaning.

Scarcity
Don’t be in a rush to sell your work. Human nature is that we all want what we can’t have. Take the approach of scarcity marketing and limit the availability of your work. When producing prints sign and number each one. Be sure and use terms such as limited editions. Words such as; one-of-a-kind collectable, a legacy for future generations, an heirloom piece, timeless. These words convey weight and value.

Social Proof
Use other peoples words about your work. What others say increases visibility. As challenging as it might be, ask for the endorsements of your work. More than just “we like the artwork”.

This is an extraordinary painting of a magnificent horse! I have him framed and up on the wall and is one of the first things you see when you come into my home. Everybody comments on how beautiful this horse and this painting is.

The colors are so vibrant and the expression of the brushstrokes makes it come alive. I bought this for my daughter and she is thrilled.

Sell the experience.
Sure, art is charcoal, pencil, or paint on canvas or other medium – but it isn’t passive!
You aren’t just selling a physical object, you’re selling an experience, a feeling, a moment in time. Explain in your content what your art accomplishes, whether it nurtures and soothes, charms, motivates, or creates an atmosphere.

Even after reading these tips, coming up with the right words may still be tough – but with practice and a little assistance from family and friends who can describe your artwork from their own unique perspectives, you’ll find it becomes much easier!

The post Crafting Words That Sell Your Art – Online Selling Tips for Self-Taught Artists appeared first on Art and Design Inspiration.

There are countless cartoons and videos on the plight of the undervalued artist and designer in the eyes of the client.

Tattoo artists face the same challenges. How about the client of the new tattoo artists and being told “this is a honor for you to create your art on my arm, think about all the people who will see it… and who knows maybe you will get work from this.” For professionals this doesn’t fly.

The first step in getting paid for your art, is your mindset. How do you value your work?

Giving your work away and services trade – Don’t get in the habit of it!
As beginners most professional artists have faced the client wanting the work for free or in exchange for another service. This is ok a few times. We all need a place to start and the experience. However, before you give your work away, think twice. I had an interesting experience several years back with a services trade for counseling services. When the therapist I was meeting with found out I was a artist, he wanted to trade his counseling services for mine of illustrating images for a book we was writing. At the time I was flattered. But also stressed and anxious about it. Sorta defeated the purpose of working on anxiety issues when this ‘trade’ was causing more anxiety.

It’s flattering for artists to be noticed and for others to praise their work. I think many artists thrive on this flattery, it’s like the child in us saying “look at me.”

However for artists to make a living at art they have to take a business mindset or hire a person with a business mind set to represent them so they don’t get ripped off.

Taking on the business mindset and getting paid for your work – Starts with having a process!
The words business and artist are usually seen as diametrically opposed. Aren’t artists free and not confined by rules? Isn’t business all about rules? For an artist or designer your business needs to have a process. Your process. How does working with you… work? It needs to be defined. We know how subjective art and design is. However you can and NEED TO wrap a process around it.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Project milestones: Say your doing an illustration for an author. Would your first milestone be sketched concepts or final art? Have it all clear so that when you reach the milestone you can bill your client based on this milestone. I have learned from experience to never make the end of the project the time you get paid. YOU might have all your ducks in a row and meeting the deliverable, but what if your client is the hold up?

Have at least 2 milestones that result in payment.

2. What does the end of the project look like – the deliverable? Is it based on hours, concepts, final art? How many revisions does your client get? Do they get full out ownership of the art for any reproductions? Be sure and write all the details and always ask questions. Keep all your communications clear and upfront so if need be you can remind your client what you agreed on.

3. How much is your work worth? As your portfolio grows, your endorsements grow, the demand of your work grows… you will charge more. I’ve found specific online groups on Facebook, LinkedIn and Blogs that have helped me with pricing. I also research the norm on pricing. I still struggle with pricing my design work. Crowd sourcing for art and design has made it even more challenging in this industry.

Working in visual arts for a career can be rewarding. It’s an ongoing learning process. The entry point is your talent and skill. Some think this is all it takes. Your ability to communicate, work well with clients, market yourself and price your services is crucial and as a professional you need to always be professional.

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