How I Started Selling Prints of My Photos

Scott French
19 Sept 202309:43

TLDRThe speaker shares their journey of selling photo prints online without a social media following. They discuss the shift in the market allowing various photographers to sell their work, the decision between online marketplaces and print-on-demand services, and the importance of an e-commerce website and mailing list. Tips on pricing, creating urgency, and the reality of continuous marketing efforts for sustainable success in selling art prints are also provided.

Takeaways

  • 🚀 Start with a small following: Even a small social media following can be a good start for selling your prints online.
  • 🎨 Utilize online marketplaces: Platforms like Etsy or Pixar can help test the waters but may require sacrificing control and competing on price.
  • 🌐 Own your e-commerce website: Having your own website with a domain you own and building a mailing list is key for long-term success in selling prints.
  • 🖨️ Print-on-demand vs. self-printing: Consider the pros and cons of doing your own printing versus partnering with a print-on-demand service.
  • 🖼️ Limited vs. open editions: Limited editions can create a sense of urgency and exclusivity, while open editions offer the freedom to print indefinitely.
  • 📏 Size your prints wisely: Offer sizes that fit standard frames to make it easier and cheaper for customers to frame your artwork.
  • 🎨 Use apps like Art Placer: Tools that help customers visualize your artwork in their space can increase the likelihood of a sale.
  • 💰 Pricing strategy: Pricing your artwork is an art in itself and should consider market trends, production costs, and perceived value.
  • 🚀 Create a launch strategy: Build buzz and create a sense of urgency around the launch of your online store or new work.
  • 📈 Promote consistently: Success in selling prints requires ongoing marketing and promotion, as customers often need to see your work multiple times before purchasing.
  • 📊 Long-term strategy: Continuously tweak your strategy and learn from your sales and promotions to improve your approach over time.

Q & A

  • What was the initial challenge the speaker faced in selling prints of their photos?

    -The initial challenge was that the speaker had zero social media following, which made it difficult to gain attention for their work and break into the online print market.

  • How did the speaker overcome the lack of followers for their art?

    -The speaker overcame this by consistently posting their work, engaging with their audience, and using platforms like Instagram to gradually build a following.

  • What are the advantages of using online marketplaces like Etsy or Pixar for selling prints?

    -Online marketplaces are perfect for testing the waters and gauging demand for one's work without needing a separate website. They offer visibility and can be a starting point for artists.

  • What are the downsides to relying solely on online marketplaces for selling art prints?

    -Relying solely on online marketplaces can mean sacrificing control over pricing and quality, as well as competing with cheaper options. There are also fees and commissions that can cut into profits.

  • Why did the speaker choose to go with a print-on-demand service rather than doing their own printing?

    -The speaker chose print-on-demand to avoid the costs and time associated with packaging, shipping, and quality control. It also allowed for a more consistent, high-quality product.

  • What type of editions did the speaker decide to offer for their prints?

    -The speaker decided to offer limited editions because they create a sense of urgency and add value to the art, making it more exclusive.

  • What advice does the speaker give for pricing artwork?

    -The speaker suggests considering market trends, production costs, and perceived value. They also recommend starting with prices around a hundred dollars for the smallest size and adjusting based on feedback and sales.

  • How did the speaker create a buzz for their art sales launch?

    -The speaker created a buzz by setting an official launch date, promoting it on Instagram, building a mailing list, and offering special discounts and giveaways to subscribers.

  • What was the speaker's initial sales total, and how did it make them feel?

    -The initial sales total was $4,324, which felt like winning the lottery for the speaker, considering they were a new photographer just starting to sell their work.

  • What did the speaker learn about the process of selling prints over time?

    -The speaker learned that prints don't sell themselves and that success requires persistent marketing and promotion. They also learned that the average buyer needs to see the work 20 or more times before making a purchase.

  • What is the speaker's strategy for long-term success in selling art prints?

    -The speaker's strategy involves continuous tweaking and adaptation of their approach, learning from each release or promotion, and understanding that building a following over time can lead to substantial success.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Breaking into the Online Print Market

The speaker discusses their journey into selling photo prints online despite having no social media following initially. They highlight the challenges of standing out in a crowded market and the evolution of online buying habits. The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a social media presence and turning followers into collectors. They share their experience of growing their Instagram following and the strategies they employed to sell their work, such as using print-on-demand services and offering limited editions. The paragraph also touches on the logistics of selling prints, including deciding between self-printing and print-on-demand, choosing unframed prints to start, and the significance of standard frame sizes for customers. The speaker also discusses the use of an app called Art Placer to help customers visualize their artwork in different spaces, emphasizing its role in potentially increasing sales.

05:01

💸 Pricing and Promoting Artwork Online

This paragraph delves into the intricacies of pricing artwork and the promotional strategies used by the speaker to boost their online art sales. The speaker admits to setting their prices higher than suggested, but remained open to adjustments. They suggest starting with a base price point that is comfortable for first-time buyers, with the potential for larger purchases in the future. The speaker also discusses the importance of timing, noting that a significant portion of art sales occur between October and December. They share their personal experience of launching their online store, creating a sense of urgency, and building a mailing list. The speaker's initial launch resulted in $4,324 in sales, which they considered a success. However, they also emphasize that selling prints is not a passive income and requires consistent marketing efforts. The speaker concludes by hinting at future videos that will cover long-term strategies for success in selling art online.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Prints

Prints refer to physical copies of photographs made on paper or other materials. In the context of the video, the artist is discussing the process of selling these prints online. This is a significant part of the video as it outlines the artist's journey from taking photographs to monetizing their work through selling prints, which is the main theme of the video.

💡Social Media Following

A social media following consists of the group of people who choose to view and engage with content posted by a user on social media platforms. In the video, the artist initially lacked a social media following, which is crucial for promoting and selling their prints. The artist emphasizes the importance of building a following to turn it into a successful print-selling venture.

💡Online Marketplaces

Online marketplaces are platforms that facilitate the buying and selling of goods or services over the internet. The video mentions platforms like Etsy and Pixar as examples of such marketplaces where artists can sell their prints. However, the artist also discusses the downsides, such as lack of control over the selling process and intense competition.

💡Print-on-Demand

Print-on-demand is a service that allows artists to sell their work without having to manage inventory or handle the printing and shipping process themselves. The artist in the video chose this option to make the selling process easier and more efficient. This concept is central to the video as it showcases one of the strategies the artist used to start selling their prints successfully.

💡Limited Editions

Limited editions refer to a restricted number of prints that an artist produces for sale. In the video, the artist decided to offer limited editions to create a sense of urgency and add value to their art. This decision is directly related to the marketing strategy the artist used to attract buyers and increase the perceived value of their prints.

💡Unframed Prints

Unframed prints are photographs that are sold without a frame. The artist in the video recommends starting with unframed prints to simplify the selling process. This advice is practical and helps new artists avoid the complexities of offering framed pieces, which can be more challenging to handle in terms of packaging and shipping.

💡Art Placer

Art Placer is an app that allows artists to visualize how their artwork will look in different sizes and spaces. The video mentions this tool as a way to enhance the buyer's experience by enabling them to see how the artwork would fit in their own space. This is an example of the artist using technology to improve the selling process and make it more convenient for potential customers.

💡Pricing Artwork

Pricing artwork involves determining the value of a piece of art and setting a price for it. In the video, the artist discusses the challenges of pricing their work and how they chose to set their prices higher than the general guidelines for new artists. This is a critical aspect of the video as it highlights the importance of pricing strategy in the success of selling art prints.

💡Email Subscribers

Email subscribers are individuals who have provided their email addresses to receive updates and communications from a business or individual. In the video, the artist emphasizes the importance of building a mailing list of potential buyers, which is a key strategy for promoting art sales and creating a sense of urgency around new releases or promotions.

💡Launch Strategy

A launch strategy refers to the plan and tactics used to promote and announce a new product or service. The artist in the video shares their experience of launching their online store and the steps they took to create buzz and urgency around the event. This is a crucial part of the narrative as it demonstrates the artist's approach to marketing and the importance of a well-executed launch in attracting sales.

💡Marketing and Promotion

Marketing and promotion involve the activities and strategies used to increase awareness and sales of a product or service. The video underscores the necessity of persistent marketing efforts in selling art prints, as prints do not sell themselves. The artist shares their learning that consistent promotion is vital for sustained success in selling artwork.

Highlights

The journey of selling photo prints without a social media following

The shift in the online market allowing more photographers to sell their work

Starting to post work on Instagram and the initial lack of engagement

Growing followers through consistent posting and audience engagement

The decision to use print-on-demand services for selling prints

The advantages and disadvantages of using online marketplaces like Etsy and Pixar

The importance of having an e-commerce website and building a mailing list

Choosing between limited and open editions for print sales

Recommendations for starting with unframed prints and considering standard frame sizes

The challenges and considerations of pricing artwork

Creating a successful launch with a sense of urgency and timing

Utilizing Instagram and building a mailing list for promotion

The initial success of the launch and the potential for future growth

The realization that selling prints requires ongoing marketing and promotion

The potential for long-term success with the right strategies and persistence

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