|
Potential
to reach
local, national
or global markets. Most
artists’ leagues try to reach local markets
around their city. If you want to promote
your work maybe you will have a local artist
show in a public institution or commercial
establishment. You also have the possibility
to send out brochures or postcards, However,
this can be costly and time-consuming. On the
contrary, as soon as you put your website on
the internet you immediately have the
possibility to reach a national and even
global market. Over 109 million people access
the Internet in America alone.
Nevertheless
creating a website for your artwork alone will
not generate a numerous amount of business.
The “build it and they will come” approach
does not always work. It is necessary to lead
potential customers to your site and spark
their interest in your work with an attractive
and easy to navigate site. The more Internet
users visit your site, the more potential
there is for people to see your work.
Artist Websites
also help you to target your advertising to
the appropriate audience according to the type
of art you produce. If you are an artist who
specializes in watercolors, you are not going
to have much success selling to a gallery that
sells sculptures. Artist websites can make
sure that people who are interested in
watercolor are going to easily be able to find
your site.
Linking to Other Sites.
By having a website you are able to
advertise on other art websites and
directories to increase you internet presence.
For example, other artists will have a page
within their site labeled favorites. Then you
will be able to submit your web address to be
posted. The artist will then review your site
and if accepted add it as a link. Planet Art
Web has a list of sites that you can add your
web address to at no charge. By linking you
web address, it is another way for internet
users to find your site and really it is free
publicity.
Physical Distribution.
Any form of advertising that you use
now such as the newspaper, postcards, or
letters should have your web address on it.
You could also e-mail your address to clients,
galleries or others who might be interested in
your work. Listing a website fives clients
the image that you are a professional and
up-to-date with today’s market. The more
effort you put towards making your web address
known, the greater number of hits you will get
to your site.
Outlet to
Display Your Work to Potential Customers.
The artwork produced by members of
this league is something that can only be
appreciated if it is seen. You can tell
people about it all you would like, but until
the person has a chance to see it their
interest will probably be minimal. If you
hand out business cards with your web address
on them, your potential client can look at
your work at their own leisure. The visitor
will have a chance to view all of your work
that you wish to display as opposed to few
pieces hanging in a gallery or exhibition.
Planet Art Web can help to create a site that
is attractive and will encourage the visitor
to explore what you have to offer.
To Family
and Friends. Many artists have
family and friends out of town that cannot see
their artwork unless they visit. With a
website you can use the internet to show
family and friends your work. In addition,
family and friends can refer or network your
site to other people with whom they are
associated with.
Source of
Information for Potential Customers.
A website is
also a good way to give additional info to
clients. For example; artist history, shop or
studio info, prices and etc. Customers can
use your site as a way to contact you and ask
questions or request additional information
that cannot be found on the site. Most sites
have a contact page that will list an e-mail
address.
An added bonus of
having a website is that art patrons can also
learn about you, your artistic methods, or
your thoughts on art. If you wish we can put
images of you, your studio, your process of
creating art or anything that you want on the
site
Before customers
make purchases, they usually wish to research
on-line to make sure they are getting a good
deal or just to find out more about the art or
the artist. If your customer is researching
on-line they are more likely to find your
competition because you don’t have a website
and they feel more comfortable purchasing from
a person they have done research on. Most
customers today also expect for any
business to have a website.
Selling Art on Your Site.
Having a site also gives you the
ability to sell your work on-line. If you are
directly selling your work to customers, you
can bypass third-party galleries that usually
charge a commission for up to 50% for using
their space and name to sell your work.
If anyone is
interested in selling their work on-line, once
they have a website, they will also be able to
use on-line galleries as an outlet to sell.
On-line galleries usually prefer clients that
already have all of their work and information
in digital format. Because these virtual
galleries have lower overhead cost they will
usually charge less than 30% to display and
sell your work.
Everything
mentioned include beneficial and wonderful
benefits of having an on-line presence. Using
the internet to promote your work can only
help an artist become more successful and
nationally known.
|