People often ask how much time I spend engaged in my company’s sales, marketing, and administrative work.  I would estimate that I can spend about 50%-80% of my time.

Not so romantic, but it’s vitally necessary.  The good news is that I don’t mind it.  Many years in the corporate cubicle trained me for it but I’m investing in my business now.  And its what we must do if we want to build our brands so that we can spend more relaxed time creating.  I doubt it’s much different for other young businesses.

I’m also asked “Would I rather be painting?”  The answer is, not necessarily. I enjoy business and I particularly enjoy art marketing strategy.  Again it’s not an either or proposition.

But yes, when I do paint its like entering another realm.  The time flies, I’m relaxed and engaged in an entirely different and purely creative way.  My thoughts are focused; I’m peaceful and emotionally responsive.  The skills and experience I’m drawing on and developing are entirely different.

The good news is that over the past four years my on-line art sales have averaged about 8% of my total sales.  These sales are the easiest and most profitable transactions.  But in 2009, that number jumped to 27%.  What does that mean?  I have more time to create.  And I’m very happy about that.

It appears that my last two posts on the “Seven Common Mistakes” that I often see on artists’ websites have touched a nerve, actually several nerves.  I received a flurry of inquiries, permission to re-post the articles, and requests for consultations and website reviews.

Because it’s a new year, today it was time to examine my business 2009 sales.  Even I was a little surprised to see that on average, from 2004-2008, annrea.com produced 8% of my business’ total sales.  But in 2009, that number rose to 27%!

Notice that I said “my business’ total sales”.  Tim Mondavi also noticed my reference to “my business” and pointed it out to his youngest daughter, who’s an emerging painter, as we toured their Napa vineyard.

I’m running a business.  And as soon as you put a price on your work your in business too.  Sounds obvious, I know. But if the artist’s mindset doesn’t shift to business owner from creator, it’s trouble.
Generating on-line sales is much more than just having a good website.  Ahhh, if only it were that simple. Wouldn’t life be grand?!

Generating sales on-line requires certain resources, on-going maintenance, sound business and marketing strategy, and top-notch design.  And it appears to be a maze that many artists have a tough time navigating.

But the increase in my business’ total on-line sales was due in part to a number of factors contained in my overall marketing strategy. All of which took time to build.

Just like in the “real world”, you have to market and network in the “virtual world”.  Notice I did not say advertise.  I’ve never had good results with on-line advertising.  And it’s expensive.
I have to say, that my most satisfying on-line sale happened just a few weeks ago when I was in Hawaii for Christmas vacation.  I sold an original oil painting on-line, literally while I was at Waikiki Beach. Mele Kalikimaka!

If you would like to schedule a one-on-one website review please email me at annrea@annrea.com.