I’ve been asked quite a few times throughout the years what I used to get started as an artist ready to finally sell their art! Here are tools and tips that I’ve cultivated that I’d like to pass on to you!
1.You most certainly do not need anything fancy to start! Etsy is a great platform for someone who wants to start selling small items, digital products, and prints! Especially because most of the leg work, and traffic flow is taken care of for you.i wouldn’t recommend hosting your own website juussttt yet, but converting your etsy buyers into traffic to a domain later on. Also selling commissions, stickers, and prints on instagram can be suitable for someone wanting to test the waters.(printify is also a wonderful option for print on demand)
Start advertising to friends and family aswell, one sale and one review can be the perfect foundation for growth, not to mention word of mouth.dont put pressure on yourself to advertise to the entire internet just yet. Learn about seo, shipping, and packaging.
2. Start with small, easy products. I started selling stickers and commissions before anything, mostly because they were the most accessible, low production cost, and easy to ship! For stickers i recommend a silhouette machine over a cricuit (due to the cricuit not being able to read a lot of different materials such as gloss sticker paper) For printers, i use Epson XP 15000 but epson et8550 is just as good. (Especially for ecotank)For stickers, i use neato label paper, as ive found they are the highest quality for vinyl, but there are a wide array of options! If you’re looking to sell commissions, start advertising on your social media, and make a simple listing on etsy. (Too many commission options will confuse buyers at first)
3.) Local markets! You’d be surprised just how well you could do in a single weekend! :) Start local and small- check out art markets, conventions, and events that need vendors. It’s also a great way to guage what sells and what needs work! I think in person selling is also really important because of the opportunity to meet and network with other artists! This can lead to better opportunities and a strong sense of community!
4. Most importantly, don’t put pressure on yourself. Remember, this is a slow growing process, it’s going to take time! It’s not about speed, it’s about finding what’s suitable to your schedule, style, and audience! Don’t beat yourself up if things start out slow- this will give you time to learn and room for mistakes! Consistency is important, and so is building a relationship with your art and your buyers.
