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 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

  • 🚀 Start with a small following: Even a small social media following can be a good starting point for selling prints.
  • 🔍 Focus on audience engagement: Engaging with your audience is crucial for turning followers into collectors.
  • 🌐 Consider online marketplaces: Platforms like Etsy or Pixar can help test the waters but come with trade-offs like fees and competition.
  • 💡 Establish your own e-commerce website: Having your own website with an owned domain and mailing list provides more control and potential for growth.
  • 🖨️ 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.
  • 🎨 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.
  • 🖼️ Sell unframed prints initially: Starting with unframed prints simplifies the process and avoids the complexities of offering framed pieces.
  • 📏 Standard frame sizes are beneficial: Sizing prints to fit standard frames makes it easier for customers to find suitable framing options.
  • 🎨 Pricing is an art: Consider market trends, production costs, and perceived value when pricing your artwork, and be open to adjustments.
  • 🚀 Create a launch strategy: Build anticipation for your art sales with a well-timed launch and promotional activities to attract initial buyers.
  • 📈 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

00:00

🎨 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.

05:01

💸 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

💡Social Media Following

Social Media Following refers to the number of people who subscribe or 'follow' an individual's or brand's social media account. In the context of the video, having a social media following is crucial for an artist looking to sell prints of their photos, as it provides a built-in audience who may be interested in their work. The speaker initially had zero social media following, which posed a challenge in breaking into the online print market. However, they managed to grow their following to nearly 950 by consistently posting and engaging with their audience.

💡Print-on-Demand

Print-on-Demand is a service that allows artists or photographers to sell their work without having to manage inventory or handle the printing and shipping process themselves. The service provider prints and ships the products as orders come in. In the video, the speaker opted for print-on-demand to avoid the hassle of packaging, shipping, and quality control, and to focus on marketing their work. This approach is beneficial for those who want to concentrate on creating art rather than managing the logistics of selling physical products.

💡Limited Editions

Limited editions refer to a set number of prints that an artist produces of a particular artwork. Once those prints are sold out, no more are made, creating a sense of exclusivity and urgency for collectors. In the video, the speaker decided to offer limited editions to add value to their art and make it more appealing to collectors. This strategy can increase the perceived value of the artwork and encourage buyers to purchase before the edition sells out.

💡E-commerce Website

An e-commerce website is a digital platform that allows businesses or individuals to buy and sell goods or services online. In the context of the video, having an e-commerce website is recommended as it gives the artist full control over their sales process and customer experience. It also allows them to build a mailing list of potential collectors and market their work more effectively. The speaker emphasizes the importance of owning your own domain and not relying solely on social media platforms or third-party marketplaces.

💡Online Marketplaces

Online marketplaces are platforms where multiple sellers can list their products for sale, competing with each other for customers. Examples include Etsy and Pixies. While these platforms can provide visibility and help artists test the waters, they often come with fees, commissions, and intense competition. The video speaker found these platforms challenging due to the race to the bottom in terms of pricing and the lack of control over the customer experience.

💡Pricing Artwork

Pricing artwork involves determining the value of a piece of art and setting a price that reflects its worth. This process can be complex, as it must consider market trends, production costs, and the perceived value of the art. In the video, the speaker shares that they set their prices about 25% higher than what was generally suggested for new artists, showing that pricing can be a strategic decision to position oneself in the market. The speaker also notes that understanding the pricing strategy is crucial for success in selling art prints.

💡Marketing and Promotion

Marketing and promotion refer to the strategies and tactics used to increase awareness of a product or service and persuade potential customers to make a purchase. In the context of the video, the speaker emphasizes that selling art prints requires consistent marketing and promotion efforts. This includes building a mailing list, creating a sense of urgency, and using social media platforms like Instagram to engage with potential buyers. The speaker learned that prints don't sell themselves and that success in selling art is closely tied to how well the artist can market and promote their work.

💡Art Placer

Art Placer is an app that allows artists to showcase how their artwork would look in different sizes and spaces. This tool helps potential buyers visualize the artwork in their own environment, which can influence their decision to purchase. In the video, the speaker found Art Placer particularly useful for integrating with their online store, as it allowed customers to upload a picture of their space and see how the artwork would fit on their wall.

💡Mailing List

A mailing list is a collection of names and addresses used for sending out bulk emails to a group of people who have expressed interest in a particular topic or product. In the context of the video, the speaker built a mailing list of potential buyers, which was crucial for promoting their art sales. By offering early access to the launch and a special discount, the speaker was able to convert a significant number of Instagram followers to subscribers of their mailing list. This strategy helped create buzz and urgency around the launch of their e-commerce site.

💡Launch Strategy

A launch strategy refers to the planned activities and promotions designed to successfully introduce a new product or service to the market. In the video, the speaker's launch strategy involved setting an official launch date, creating a sense of urgency, and promoting the event heavily on Instagram and through their mailing list. The speaker also highlights the importance of timing, noting that a significant portion of art sales occur between October and December.

💡Customer Engagement

Customer engagement refers to the interactions and relationships an artist or business builds with their audience or customers. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of engaging with their audience on social media, responding to comments, and building a connection that leads to sales. By consistently posting and interacting with followers, the speaker was able to grow their following and, ultimately, convert followers into customers.

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

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