So rather than throw up your hands at the money spent, and wonder what you were thinking, re-think what to do and how to view it!

http://www.usatodayeducate.com/staging/index.php/blog/7-ways-to-put-your-useless-degree-to-use

The following article is a good, basic article and worth reading mainly because many of the keys to success mentioned by this UK author ARE universal and worldwide.
http://www.auctiva.com/edu/entry.aspx?id=How-to-Grow-an-eBay-Business-Part-1

Personally, I have sold on Ebay for years. Not my originals. In portraits I cannot compete with Chinese  labor . I could give them away for free and it would not matter…. But I do sell prints. And honestly I have too many positive feedbacks to trash the site yet the store works well for me.
I have a few of Steve’ s prints on my site.  But he is an example of started out  selling his small oil paintings on Ebay which then became the catalyst for not only painting a lot of them BUT in heading in another direction into an area that has proved lucrative both financially and artistically http://www.1hundredpaintings.blogspot.com/

My most successful run on Ebay I confess, was when I decided to clean out my studio a few years back and sold $3,000 worth of “unused art stuff” in 2 months. It was a lot of work but hey, so is anything you list in auctions!

So, you ask, are there artists on Ebay making any money? What artists ARE selling successfully on Ebay?   I have posted this before but over the years I have discovered that the serious artists WILL do their research and seriously see who is selling and analyze WHY they are selling so well .   I can give you a list of names but th at defeats the research purpose. We all  know that browsing for one thing can lead to another and another and that lightbulb will go on in your brain…but it has to be YOUR lightbulb!  So how do you research this?

Go to Ebay.com and under categories click on  Art. Go to  “Direct from the Artist. Find the category that best suits what you create.
Once there, go to “Auctions ending soonest”.  Scan the many listings you will find. Anything in green has a bid. Which means it will sell. Any place other than “ending soonest” is a waste of time as there will be many thousands of pieces of art listed-we are only interested in what is selling.
Bookmark them and study everything about them. Eventually you will begin to recognize a pattern.   What you WILL discover is that the successful artists have stuck with it through hell and high water. They did not give up after a bad week or one bad run… .or several or many…..:-)

My soapbox on perseverance:
I have noticed a particular behavior among people in general (not just artists) when it comes to selling or trying to sell.  There is a temperament (behavior, attitude…)  that will try a direction(/idea/technique), once or maybe twice, briefly, and if it does not garner immediate results, quits or gives up. The odd thing about this behavior is that the giving up is done with a certain amount of relish….it’s almost as if they expected to fail or wanted to fail simply to have a reason not to be able to pursue that avenue. And are happy with it.   I am not sure if I am explaining this right but the unfortunate results of this behavior is  the negativity it promotes when those  artists/people tell everyone that “they tried” and “it” doesn’t work. So sure, they tried once, no results, and gave up….I have lost track of the number of artists who have shared such a story with me and am always puzzled by this “almost relieved” attitude or outlook on something that did not work.  In other words, there is a double message here!

One artist (whose husband, she says,  has given her a hard time about all the time/money she devotes to her art and not starting) said to me very recently,  “I have spent almost 10 years studying under the top portrait artists around the US, and then, just as I am about to launch my career, the economy tanks!“    In reality, she did not sound  sorry or regretfuly btw It was more of:
“so there you go, I can’t help what life has done to disrupt my art career plans, but oh well” . But it is still an excuse
I have seen it over and over……By blaming causes beyond one’s control, as it were,  then “failure”  or even lack of action can be blamed on  extenuating circumstance.  There is no testing of one’s resolve or  dedication……in other words, nothing will work if you don’t try it….AND actions speak louder than words.

The reason for this long discord on human psychology is that NO avenue of sales will work if you secretly do not want it to!
Now think long and hard about this before you jump to conclusions in a reply   Success comes with perseverance, not just talent!  So if you REALLY want to be successful on Ebay or anywhere else, roll up those shirtsleeves, stop whining about the economy, your spouse, your kids, your job, your lack of space, etc…….and decide if you really have the right stuff!

Theresa

Steve of ART CAREER EXPERTS says in response:

• Setting up a data base, and training someone to help me keep up with it.

• Printing some thank you cards to start sending out to all pet portrait clients.

• Getting back on track with sending out e-mail newsletters starting this month.

• Work harder to follow up with leads and dropped ball potential clients that for whatever reason fail to follow through with placing their portrait commissions.

• Remind myself every step of the way that having a marketing plan is not just about making more money or more sales, it is also about taking care of my clients after their portrait commission. I like my clients so much, and with the amount of repeat business I am fortunate to have I really need to take much better care of them after I deliver their artwork.

So why the fuss?  Let’s examine the world of art grants a little less passionately and you may find that reducing or even ending art grants could, in the long run benefit more artists than grants!

How many artists do you know who have benefited from an art grant?

How many artist’s do you know whose careers were launched with an art grant?

How happy is the public with the art that is awarded most of the grants?

How happy are you, as an artist, with the art that seems to universally get the art grants?

How politically entwined are the monies for the art grants?

Do you know an artist who makes a living from an art grant?

I ask these questions from the knowledge and life of an artist whose living comes from the sales of her artwork. It has not been easy. But nothing worth doing comes easy and therein lies the lure of the grant-easy money. In reality most grants are almost akin to winning the lottery. Many apply, only one wins. But most lottery players do not make winning the lottery their life work-they still continue to work, raise families and produce in their jobs. How many artists could be so much further along in their careers if they took the bull by the horn and did not spend their life searching for art grants?

Before NC  instigated the Lottery, the people I talked to from states where the Lottery was established always prefaced goals with “when I win the lottery”. I remember thinking that everything they wanted to do seemed to be on hold until they won the lottery…but what if they never did?

Waiting for help? Look what has happened to the southern coastal states right now, in the throes of the BP oil gusher, facing the biggest disaster those states have ever faced? Where is the help? The government money? The “helping hand?” Small towns all along the Gulf coast have done what Americans have always done before free promises of free money……. getting the job done themselves! It has been all over the news and I could cheer for their efforts.  Actions do indeed speak louder than words!   You get things done by rolling up your sleeves and getting to work. Solve the problem yourself or with a dedicated group behind you.

And for me, that is the answer to many of the problems in the arts…instead of  waiting for free money, make it happen.

What would happen if a core group in each state decided to “take matters into their own hands” and create an art community free of the federal and state restrictions that come with all grant monies? What if public art opportunities were judged by the public instead of a state or federally funded jury looking for political correctness? What if artists learned how to present themselves and their art to corporations, companies, towns and businesses looking for art. What if artists individually took matters into their own hands?

Why not see the reduction or ending of grant money as an opportunity rather than a disaster.  OK, so there is less of what was there before. Everyone is tightening the belt-at home, at work, at play…. is that so bad? With some positive re-thinking of the art grant situation, more doors could open up to more artists. More diverse Opportunities could be available to far more artists who have chosen art as their field of interest if the dream of free money is not there. We all know someone wins the lottery and we all know some artist gets an available grant..but what of the many, many who tried but did not?

Sometimes life becomes less complicated when you decide that your success will come when you begin to work at it…maybe there is something to that saying “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” after all!

NEW ART:
The uniqueness of our 727 Gallery location is that our artists cover a wonderful  range of diverse talents.  We offer Photography, Fine Art Portraiture, Clay sculpture, wood sculpture and Original oil paintings for the collector in you!   All of our artists are professionals. What does that mean to you?  Well,  not only do you receive exceptional quality artwork but you are also working with artists who understand YOU, our collectors.  You can invest in our art with confidence! Come on by Thursday from 11-5. Friday from 11-7 and Saturday from 11-5 to visit with us!  You are welcome to sit with us on the front porch and watch us work, or step into the coolness of the lighted galleries and absorb the colors and visions of our art work. Either way, we welcome you!

MAY WORKSHOPS and CLASSES!
Houston-we have a schedule!
Hey this is no small matter! In between the many activities that artists do, (we are always creating) and the traveling that we do to art shows and art opportunities, we never forget that many of you have requested workshops or classes to enhance your own skills. All classes, unless otherwise noted, held in our convenient Wake Forest location at 727northmain.com!

ART For the kids:  9-12 year olds-Super fun, super creativity!
Theresa Brown: instructor 919-880-7431
Track 3
May 3-7      This week’s creative theme: The Maritime oceans and forests of NC
May 10-14  This week’s creative theme: The Wild West!
Track  2
May 17-21  This week’s creative theme: The Maritime oceans and forests of NC
May 24-28   This week’s creative theme: The Wild West!
Complete details at     http://www.portraitsnc.com/whatsnew.html

UPCOMING EVENTS!
We are constantly changing our displays and adding to our Galleries! Watch for new evening mini-classes for adults where you will enjoy learning new skills and meeting new like minded artists!

Look for Theresa at the Saturday May 1 Meet in the Street art festival in downtown, historic Wake Forest. The event runs from 10-5.

ART MARKETING Workshop
This unique workshop for artists will be taught at the Jerry’s art store in Raleigh, NC. For complete details:

http://www.jerrysartevents.com/may12.html

Feel free to contact us for special requests and commission work. Visit Theresa or Steve where you can find additional information and comprehensive Galleries of their work.

________________________________________________________________________

So, here I am, a day after our workshop, in front of the frame shop at the large Mall where I pop in once or twice a week. I am putting the final touches on a pastel portrait of a boy. Now I will tell you that large portraits attract attention. No doubt about it. And as we discussed in the workshop, any question or even comment from a client is an invitation from them to “tell me more.”  Only one person, a man, seemed to be astounded (at least outwardly) by my prices.  The fact is, that he probably just had no clue..he wants a portrait but is learning that they  are not free or cheap.
This is how the conversation USED to go when someone seemed amazed and said so loudly (as in front of several onlookers) The scenario is that he has just seen me, he has his 7 year old daughter with him and he steps into the small group of 5 ladies
Before I knew how to reply:
Man : Is this some kind of chalk? It’s really nice. How much is something like this?
ME: Uh, this is $950.00 (in a semi apologetic tone)
HIM: WOW! (that’s all he said-I took it to mean it was too expensive)
ME: Well I have a cheaper portrait available too. This small pastel is only $300.00
Him: What’s the difference? Aren’t they the same size? (obviously not)
Me: No one is bigger than the other

By that time, most people, except a real diehard, would have wandered on…even those interested would have caught my tone….even a flash of irritation at the man’s dumb questions (I mean couldn’t he SEE they were two different sizes?) so unless I was really cheap…. they had already been attracted by the portrait itself, and for several ladies it was an idea that had been in their minds awhile…going back in time to when their children were smaller.

How I replied after learning the right way to respond:
Man : Is this some kind of chalk? It’s really nice. How much is something like this?

Me: This is a Pastel portrait which I’m creating, are you thinking of a portrait with more than one child?

Man: I have just one daughter, so how much would that be?

Me: A pastel portrait similar to this is a $950.00 investment.

Him: WOW!

Me: Yes, you’d invest  $950.00 (said confidently and clearly) for a pastel portrait like this with a single subject. Over here, is a large pastel portrait which is a $2500.00 investment…(hand gestures) and over here is a smaller cameo pastel which is a $300.00 investment.

Him: But why is this one more? It looks like the same size?

Me: Perhaps from a distance it does but they are two different sizes (I pick up smaller to compare and show..now by this time I have already been talking to several women in a group before he arrived and do not want to lose them as he is controlling the situation with his questions…)
Now, I know how you feel, others have felt the same way but you you know what they found? They found that over the years my portraits became one of the most emotionally valuable possessions they owned.  All my collectors tell me that if a fire broke out in their home, the portraits that I created for them are being carried out right with the  children and pets!
(that puts  “valuable” into context)
Now because I had several “hot ones” I hand him a business card and let him digest what I have just said- in a friendly tone of course and turn back to the ladies. I am back in control.

Now I also could have said:
Yes it is indeed $950.00. My portraits are not for everyone but for those many collectors who have invested my work, my portraits have and will continue to bring them many years of enjoyment!

Now Steve, with his sense of humor, when I relayed the story to him later that day said that HIS reply after the WOW would have been
“Yes they ARE inexpensive aren’t they? My collectors LOVE my work and recognize the value in my art!

And that too is not a bad reply if the person has not commented on a high cost! I have had them say “wow that’s a great price”, or “wow that’s high!” but rarely just “wow!” I wasn’t quick enough actually to catch the other nuance of that one word!

So practice!!!!!

How often have you started on a particular marketing venue for your art and in just a matter of days, or a couple of weeks, especially if the results were disappointing,  or you could not see the value of it, you just dropped it? Does that mean that you cannot do it? Does it mean that you don’t want to reach your goals badly enough?

No, we are all human and we all get discouraged, disappointed, tired or too busy and let our initial efforts fade away.  But there is a way to channel your energy and enthusiasm and keep the level up there long enough to see positive results! And positive results, as we all know, breed continued enthusiasm. The key here is to concentrate in ONE marketing area. Just one. Give yourself a time limit of say one month. But in that one month, give it ALL you’ve got.

Let’s look at an example. You have decided to sell your art on Ebay. You have listened to us tell you to research, research and research your particular art product and see who and what is selling. So you have done that. You have found several artists who are earning anywhere from 800-1500 a week selling their art and you are excited! You feel that what you could do will sell as well. Piece of cake!

Now if you have been creating all along, you will have anywhere from 8-12 items ready to list on Ebay.  Assuming that you already have a sellers account set up, as well as Paypal, the initial part is done.  If you have never sold on Ebay however, you need to delve a bit further. This link to Ebay will start you in the process!   http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/index.html

But this post isn’t so much about getting started on ebay as to what you need to do to stick with it. We, and I mean as in “I” have been guilty more than once of selling moderately well on Ebay and then I fizzle out…yes, even me! I have tried new art forms just for fun but obviously wasn’t inspired enough to stick with it…so this post is a reminder to me AND you, that nothing works if you don’t stick with it!It’s easy to be satisfied with moderate sales and far harder to make that extra effort to produce great sales!

So if you have your 8-12 items posted on Ebay and nothing sells, does that mean you have it all wrong? No. There is a learning curve to everything…that time where you worry and agonize over it and spend too much time on it and then suddenly, one day, you realize that you just breezed through posting those items or writing that description and it only took you minutes!  So see how many times your auction was seen. Is it in the right category? What about your starting price? Your description? This is where your research will have paid off. And remember this-it seems that virtually any art can sell on Ebay. The key is to get it out to the public and STICK with it!

This perseverance and persistence will pay off. Whether you are selling on Ebay, your blog, on the street …anywhere. Success is measured not in one big swoop but in increments! The ones who succeed will do so, not because they are the most talented artist or craftsmen but because they stuck with it through the good and the bad. That’s what success is all about!

Tonights Workshop is sold out also. Starting in February 17, we will be holding monthly workshops at Jerry’s. These will go into more depth on various aspects of marketing and selling your art, including selling directly from your blog. A portion of each workshops content will be based on questions we are frequently asked. For more info and to sigh up Click Here

After the workshop we were asked about podcasts. That is in the works, so check back…