Forget about the information age, we are entering one of the most transformational periods in the history of the world Wide Web. The connected, or connection age.
Sure, there have always been connections, ever since the first email was sent. But the boon in social networking, or social connecting, is taking on a whole new look.
Let's take two of the latest crazes. Facebook & Twitter.
Facebook has been around for a while but I think it's popularity is gaining & will soon to rule the world. Here is just a small sample why:
1. It's connected! I mean seriously connected. When I list on ebay it shows up on my facebook wall with a link right to the auction.
2. When I post a blog. same thing
3. When I upload to flickr it also automatically shows up on my facebook wall with links to the pics.
4. When I update my youtube channel, favorite a video, there it is, right on my facebook page.
5. And you can set up the latest rage, twitter, to also feed stories to facebook.
There are a bunch of other sites that you can import stories from like yelp, googlereader, pandora and more! And a ton of apps you can also link to your facebook.
I have the Los Angeles Angels Network app on my page. I can see scores, stories & schedules right there on my page. Amazing. There are tons of apps and they are are integrated. Myspace has nothing like this and seems to be shrinking in popularity as Facebook is becoming the thinking mans networking tool.
AND, on top of all that, the facebook wall is a storyline that can be read by friends, and friends friends. Information & connection instantly.
I love it & am only scratching the surface as I am pretty much a noob to facebook & twitter. But I know where I will be focusing my marketing strategies...On the sites that are at the forefront of this exploding age of connection.
Showing posts with label websites. Show all posts
Showing posts with label websites. Show all posts
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Musings on the ups & downs of selling Original art on the internet. Part 1
I want to seperate selling art online with selling other items. Art is a unique animal in that nobody needs it like they need a new cell phone cover. Not many people crave it like they do a new iPod, and you can't really eat it.
So the trick is finding people who appreciate original works of art & don't mind spending their hard earned dollars on it. Not easy. How do you target art buyers? Not many people go around shouting "I like art" or "I'm into original paintings". It's kind of a hidden society unless you frequent sites and discussion boards dedicated to it.
So, you need to use all the tools at your disposal and use them often. Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Websites, youTube, flickr, picassa, and on and on and on. It can be quite daunting to try to cover all the bases all the time. But the only way to hit a few art buyers is to aim the shotgun all over the place and keep pulling the trigger. You might get lucky.
[Side note:For the most part artists will buy from each other, so don't hestate to shoot a few arrows (no shotguns) in their dirrection from time to time.]
I had a great sale from someone who first saw my work on Flickr. That was very nice. She also owns a website dedicated to promoting eco friendly artists & I will be the Artist of the Month this April or May.
No matter what, it is an up & down, draining experience, selling original art. Not only because of what you put into each piece, but because sales can come and go as fast and as often Major leage teams trade your favorite ball players.
Three weeks ago I did great. Over 1200 in sales. I was feeling pretty good about myself.
Had I arrived?
Is all the marketing paying off?
Will it continue??
No, yes, and NO. Since then I have had a whopping 34.00 in sales. Yes, from 1200 to 34. Big drop. But I don't think I would have had the sales without all the hours sitting in front of my laptop.
I'll be the first to admit that when this happens I lose all hope, no longer feel like scanning new paintings & optimizing the images for listings. I no longer have the fire to promote by blogging, twittering, and so on. Art is a fickle lover and you need to always look forward. The only time to look back is to remind yourself that sales DO happen, even if at the moment you are falling all over the paintings piling up in your studio.
:>
So the trick is finding people who appreciate original works of art & don't mind spending their hard earned dollars on it. Not easy. How do you target art buyers? Not many people go around shouting "I like art" or "I'm into original paintings". It's kind of a hidden society unless you frequent sites and discussion boards dedicated to it.
So, you need to use all the tools at your disposal and use them often. Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Websites, youTube, flickr, picassa, and on and on and on. It can be quite daunting to try to cover all the bases all the time. But the only way to hit a few art buyers is to aim the shotgun all over the place and keep pulling the trigger. You might get lucky.
[Side note:For the most part artists will buy from each other, so don't hestate to shoot a few arrows (no shotguns) in their dirrection from time to time.]
I had a great sale from someone who first saw my work on Flickr. That was very nice. She also owns a website dedicated to promoting eco friendly artists & I will be the Artist of the Month this April or May.
No matter what, it is an up & down, draining experience, selling original art. Not only because of what you put into each piece, but because sales can come and go as fast and as often Major leage teams trade your favorite ball players.
Three weeks ago I did great. Over 1200 in sales. I was feeling pretty good about myself.
Had I arrived?
Is all the marketing paying off?
Will it continue??
No, yes, and NO. Since then I have had a whopping 34.00 in sales. Yes, from 1200 to 34. Big drop. But I don't think I would have had the sales without all the hours sitting in front of my laptop.
I'll be the first to admit that when this happens I lose all hope, no longer feel like scanning new paintings & optimizing the images for listings. I no longer have the fire to promote by blogging, twittering, and so on. Art is a fickle lover and you need to always look forward. The only time to look back is to remind yourself that sales DO happen, even if at the moment you are falling all over the paintings piling up in your studio.
:>
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