5 important points that can increase success in selling your photography prints.
Finding your way to sell your prints online.
Just like many other photographers who just started, 6 years ago I was so excited when someone “accidentally” bought my print. I then assume that if I sell my photographic prints on the internet, I can be rich!
I started to organize my images and made them available for sale at Etsy, Shopify, etc. I announced on all my social media channels. I then waited.. and waited, one month passed and I did not sell a single print!
A few years fast forward, I have sold many of my prints and starting to understand how to sell my prints online. Thus in this short article, I will be explaining it with you all, and hopefully, it will help some of you to skip the mistake that I did, and not wasting your time and efforts.
Here are the five important things that I always use as a guideline when selling my print works:
1. Prepare your buyers
Create a name list of potential buyers. This is a very important step!. You need to go thru all your emails and contact list, trying to find anyone that you have interacted with in the past who might have an interest in buying your prints. This step also often gives you an idea of how you should prepare and price your works.
2. Craft your words
Prepare awesome wording (copywriting) to explain your print work, and highlight the main reason why is worth collecting! I found that majority of people who buy photography print are because they see value in the artist. You will need to use these words on your emails to your potential buyer’s list.
Here are few links to get you started finding best words for your copywriting:
* 100 of the most powerful marketing words.
* 20 Marketing Phrases to Attact Customers and Increase ROI
* 20 Power Words That Will Electrify Your Online Advertising
3. Think of a bonus for your buyer
In some cases, you might want to have some kind of reward for the buyer. This can be a simply signed and well-designed mini catalog to contain an explanation about your particular print work. This will add value to your work and the buyer will have one more reason toward buying your print.
4. Show your future and value
Update your website regularly, and show that you will be active forever and getting bigger. Because collectors are also investors, and they are buying your future value. If they don’t see that you are going to be bigger then there is no reason to collect your prints work.
If necessary you might need to hire a good graphic designer to polished your website so that it visually reflects well your artist statement, and consistent throughout all the pages.
5. Be visible everywhere
Increase your presence on social media… be active. I found that is important not just to post your work, but also to like and comment on other artist works. I remember there is one of my print buyers who told me that she found me from the post of her favorite artist where I commented!
My last advice that as important as the previous five points is to make sure that the quality of your prints is top-notch. Find the best printing company that is specialized in fine art printing. Before decided to sell your print, do lots of test print. Make sure that the print is come out as what you visioned. The last thing you want is to have a disappointed customer.
I found that selling photograph prints is a “long duration game”. You build your reputation block by block.
I know everyone will have different scenarios and challenges that they are facing in finding their way to online marketing (photography prints specifically). I will be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have, Just leave your question in the comment below.
