How I Started Selling Prints of My Photos
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 and emphasize the importance of building a following on platforms like Instagram. The speaker highlights the use of print-on-demand services, the decision between limited and open editions, and the strategy of pricing and promoting art for sales. They stress the necessity of persistent marketing and the potential for growth over time.
Takeaways
- π Start with a small following: Even a small social media following can be a good starting point for selling prints.
- π Focus on audience engagement: Engaging with your audience is crucial for turning followers into collectors.
- π Consider online marketplaces: Platforms like Etsy or Pixar can help test the waters but come with trade-offs like fees and competition.
- π‘ Establish your own e-commerce website: Having your own website with an owned domain and mailing list provides more control and potential for growth.
- π¨οΈ Choose between DIY and print-on-demand: Print-on-demand services can handle printing, packaging, and shipping, but you lose some control over these aspects.
- π¨ Offer limited editions for exclusivity: Limited editions can create a sense of urgency and add value to your art, making it more appealing to collectors.
- πΌοΈ Sell unframed prints initially: Starting with unframed prints simplifies the process and avoids the complexities of offering framed pieces.
- π Standard frame sizes are beneficial: Sizing prints to fit standard frames makes it easier for customers to find suitable framing options.
- π¨ Pricing is an art: Consider market trends, production costs, and perceived value when pricing your artwork, and be open to adjustments.
- π Create a launch strategy: Build anticipation for your art sales with a well-timed launch and promotional activities to attract initial buyers.
- π Market consistently for long-term success: Success in selling prints requires ongoing marketing and promotion, as prints often don't sell themselves.
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 and promote their work in 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 great for testing the waters, getting visibility, and understanding the demand for your work without needing a separate website.
What are the downsides to relying solely on online marketplaces for selling prints?
-Relying solely on these platforms is risky as they may change their policies or disappear, and the competition is often fierce, leading to a race to the bottom in terms of pricing.
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 because it handled packaging, shipping, and quality control more efficiently, saving time and reducing costs compared to doing it themselves.
What type of editions did the speaker decide to offer and why?
-The speaker decided to offer limited editions because it creates a sense of urgency and adds value to the art, making it more exclusive and appealing to premium buyers.
What advice does the speaker give for pricing artwork?
-The speaker advises considering market trends, production costs, and perceived value, and suggests starting with prices around a hundred dollars for the smallest size, adjusting as necessary based on market response.
How did the speaker create a buzz for their online store launch?
-The speaker created a buzz by setting an official launch date, promoting it on Instagram, building a mailing list, offering early access and discounts, and hosting giveaways to engage potential buyers.
What was the speaker's initial sales outcome after launching their online store?
-The speaker made a total of $4,324 in sales within the first 48 hours of launching their online store, which was a promising start given their small following.
What did the speaker learn about selling prints over time?
-The speaker learned that prints don't sell themselves and that success requires persistent marketing and promotion. They also realized that the average buyer needs to see the work multiple times before making a purchase.
What is the speaker's strategy for long-term success in selling prints?
-The speaker's strategy involves continuously tweaking their approach with each new release or promotion, building their following, and focusing on long-term marketing efforts to achieve sustainable success.
Outlines
π¨ Breaking into the Online Print Market
The speaker discusses their journey into selling prints of their photos online despite having no social media following initially. They emphasize the importance of having a social media presence and turning followers into collectors. The speaker shares their experience of starting to post their work two years ago and growing their Instagram followers to nearly 950. They highlight the challenges of selling on platforms like Etsy and the benefits of having an e-commerce website and building a mailing list. The speaker also talks about deciding between limited and open editions for their prints and the strategy of selling unframed prints initially. They mention using an app called Art Placer to help customers visualize their artwork in different spaces, emphasizing the importance of pricing strategies and market trends in selling art online.
πΈ Pricing and Promoting Your Artwork
The speaker shares their approach to pricing their artwork, which involved setting prices about 25% higher than what was suggested. They discuss the importance of offering a range of prices, starting with smaller pieces around a hundred dollars, and the potential for bigger purchases in the future. The speaker also talks about the best time of the year for art sales, which is between October and December, and the strategy of creating a sense of urgency and buzz around the launch of their online store. They emphasize the importance of building a mailing list and using it effectively to promote their work and generate sales. The speaker reflects on their initial success and the realization that consistent marketing and promotion are key to sustained sales, not passive income. They conclude by expressing their intention to share more strategies for long-term success in future videos.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Social Media Following
π‘Print-on-Demand
π‘Limited Editions
π‘E-commerce Website
π‘Online Marketplaces
π‘Pricing Artwork
π‘Marketing and Promotion
π‘Art Placer
π‘Mailing List
π‘Launch Strategy
π‘Customer Engagement
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 a following through consistent posting and audience engagement
The decision to use a print-on-demand service for selling prints
The benefits and drawbacks of using online marketplaces like Etsy and Pixar
Importance of having an e-commerce website and building a mailing list
Choosing between limited and open editions for print sales
Recommendation to sell unframed prints initially to simplify the process
Utilizing Art Placer app to help customers visualize artwork in their space
The complexity of pricing artwork and finding the right market value
Strategies for creating buzz and promoting art sales
The optimal timing for art sales based on market trends
Building an email list and offering incentives for early subscribers
The initial success of the launch and the challenges of maintaining momentum
The realization that selling prints requires ongoing marketing efforts
Long-term strategies for growing a following and increasing sales