Who Knows How Many Sales you are Missing without an Ecommerce Site?

By 2 Comments

Andy Warhol

 

In 2009, sales on annrea.com grew to 27% of overall sales.  And this percentage is steadily growing.

If I did not have an ecommerce site who knows how many sales I would have missed?!  27%?  Maybe.  Probably more.

What is the difference between an ecommerce site and a website?

An ecommerce contains the functionality that captures payments online, a website does not.  This functionality is called a “shopping cart.”  If you know this, great.  Many don’t.
Why shouldn’t artists just have a website?

A website cannot capture sales.  So if a website is all you have then you could be missing very significant opportunities to increase your revenue.  The question is “Do you want to show your work, or do you want to sell your work?”

Why does an artist need an ecommerce solution?

Working as an artist is an ambitious endeavor. Selling art online simply makes it easier.

Online sales are the easiest sales because you:

  1. keep all the money
  2. don’t even have to be present or awake to receive orders
  3. orders  can come from all over the world day and night
  4. And you can process and ship these orders from the convenience of your home or studio when you choose.

More and more sales are shifting online.  The Internet gives artists, in particular, a distinct advantage to reach an exponentially larger audience than they ever could have before by just exhibiting in galleries or at shows.

You can be at an art fair or an exhibition and sell the art that you don’t even have on display by using your smart phone or iPad.  I’ve sold two original oil paintings on my new iPad in less than 60 days.  Needless to say it’s paid for itself already, many times over.

What is so important about the design format of an artist’s ecommerce site?

Selling art is purely visual commerce. Extreme care and consideration must go into the design.

Too many artist’s sites are poorly designed and these poor aesthetics detract from the artwork. It’s like going to a fine restaurant only to be presented with a beautiful meal but on a dirty plate.

Will I be inundated with online orders?

Not likely. Having an ecommerce site alone will not ensure sales.  It must be designed professionally and you have to have a basic online marketing plan. Online sales require some investment in time and resources as do offline sales. But you will find that traditional marketing efforts will drive online sales and some online prospects will want to see your work in person and meet you. Once you have an eCommerce site, your list of contacts will immediately have the convenience of buying from you directly online.  Over time you will attract new customers from all over the country and/or from all over the world, day or night.
With easier and increased sales there is more time to create.

Click here to learn more about the turn key ecommerce site available through ArtistsWhoTHRIVE.

There is NO Virtue in Poverty

By 16 Comments

Of course you know that the tile of this domain is ArtistsWhoTHRIVE and the subtitle, “a community of entrepreneurial creatives.”  Yes.  We are talking about capitalism for creatives.

So if you are an artist who thinks that there’s any virtue in poverty, then you’re in the wrong place.  This all too common and twisted belief is simply just a cop out that too many artists can lean on.  And it feeds a negative and disrespectful cultural sterotype of the “starving artist”.

I say take responsibility for building your success and then you’ll thrive and be in a better position to be your brother’s keeper.

A lot of people, I’m not just picking on a few artists, have highly charged negative and fearful emotions around money and commerce.  They equate money with dishonesty, control, and power.  Money is neutral, it’s just a tool.  Like a hammer you can build something with it or knock someone in the head.

I don’t have the patience, or a license, to council ever-suffering or bitter artists.  And that’s not why I founded ArtistsWhoTHRIVE.  Note the word THRIVE in all caps.  And this is why I maintain a no whining policy.  If you think you must suffer, have at it.  Just please don’t bore me or this community with it because I won’t feed the negative energy or post your comments.

If you have something constructive to say or a real question, then please, do tell.

Now I don’t want to give the impression that I have no compassion because I have suffered in my lifetime. And I’ve helped others who are genuinely suffering when I worked at a shelter for abused women and children and for disaster relief.

The point is, there’s good news!  We are in the midst of a cultural and economic revolution.  The scarcity model of artist representation is dissolving before our eyes with the power of the Internet fueling it.  We see this clearly in the music industry.  American Idol celebrates the old scarcity model that represents only a tiny fraction of formulaic talent.  But the Internet has given us the freedom to fully express ourselves and to reach those who are like us and who want to buy from us.

Do you want to get paid well for doing what you love?  Then you’re going to have to learn, just like I’ve had to. And those who whine less get more done. And in my case, drink more good wine.

Let’s get Real. Do you have talent? Have your found your artistic voice?

By Leave a Comment


Contestants on American Idol amuse millions when they are absolutely convinced of their talent but they are completely oblivious to their flaws.  We are entertained as they realize that the experienced judges beg to differ.

Frankly, a few artists approach me for coaching and consulting and they just don’t have it.  But taste and style is very personal so it’s not for me alone to judge. And they never follow through on consultations and coaching.

What I emphasize to my artist clients is that the truth will set you free.  Come on, be very honest with yourself about how your work stacks up in your category in the art market.

If you’re overly critical and lacking confidence then you are not performing a clear headed evaluation.  If you haven’t had formal training, you must access credible guidance.

By the way, I don’t offer art critiques.  I’m in the business of selling art,  my own, and part time helping select artists sell theirs.  I assume that you’ve passed the talent test and I won’t comment on the quality of your work.

And don’t let one person’s opinion shoot you down.  Look for a pattern in others observations.  I had a design professor in art school that I interned for when I was 20 years old.  He owned a firm that did hand drawn architectural renderings. I respected him and wanted to be like him.  But then he started to say, repeatedly in class and at work, that men could draw better than women.  I was the only woman at the firm and a minority in my art school’s department.  How do you think his sexist comments made me feel?  Do you think it helped me gain confidence and skill?  It absolutely interfered with a very expensive private art education.

Looking back, this was one of several experiences that led to my abandoning my creative career for over one and a half decades. But many of us have experienced serious challenges so I’m less interested in your horror stories and more interested in how you too have overcome them.  Hence the title of this community: ArtistsWhoTHRIVE.    I invite you too share how you discovered your own talent, voice, and confidence.

Artists Who THRIVE is growing!

By 6 Comments


Below is an example of the messages that I received just yesterday.

I’m inspired to see so many artists join and benefit from ArtistsWhoTHRIVE.  And it helps me up my own game!

You’ll benefit the most when you engage with like-minded, positive, and productive artists, when you too join the conversation.  Share your recent success and comment to posts.

Although I established ArtistsWhoTHRIVE, the community belongs to you.  And through the power of the Internet we can help each other thrive artistically and financially.
So I’d like to hear from you!

  • What’s working for you on ArtistsWhoTHRIVE?
  • What questions or other topics would you like us to explore?
  • What resources are you looking for?
  • Do you know that we are interested in guest writer submissions?
  • Do you have examples of your recent or past business success?
  • What are your current challenges?

“I’m really excited and you’ve got me even more thrilled to be an artist.
Thank you for the motivation! You’ll be hearing from me soon!

rebekah joy plett”

www.catchtheredballoon.com

“’bravo!’ Your gallery is wonderful and from a Blue Ocean perspective, I think you have a fantastic opportunity to create new market space. The very best to you.  I look forward to following your success!
Best regards,
Chuck”
founder
www.blueoceandiscovery.com

“I’ve been getting your newsletters for a few months now. They’re always useful and inspiring — thank you! You’re a great model!

Best,
Melissa”
Melissa Dinwiddie
www.melissadinwiddie.com