How To Make Money Off Art in 2022: Stop Feeling Like a Loser

Are you feeling like a failure because no one is purchasing anything at your art shows (or online) even though you've changed prices and sales techniques? Don't be discouraged! I will share with you my top tips on how to make money off art so you can stop feeling like a loser. No more feeling broke and exhausted!

Some of my tips are for selling your artwork at art fairs or shows, and others are for selling or making money online from your art. I will also share with you my top tips to help you avoid the biggest mistakes that artists do when trying to make money from their art.

Let's get right into it!

1. Website Presence

Most of the world population is online any given time during the day. So having a website or at least selling your art work somewhere online is a great idea to get your art work some exposure.

But just because you have a website or are selling your artwork somewhere online (like on Etsy or any other selling platform), it doesn't mean that customers will come barging through your online doors to purchase your art. You can't just build it thinking that your customers will automatically come once your website has been published. 

You are responsible for bringing traffic to your site through marketing strategies... whether it is by word of mouth, paid ads, social media, collaborations with other artists, joining and posting your work on Facebook groups, or any other marketing avenue.

And just because you are posting your work online, it doesn't mean that you will be making tons of sales. You first have to determine what type of art you want to do, who is the ideal customer for that type of art, where they are hanging out, and post there. 

For example, my ideal customer is someone who loves fantasy movies or magical themes. If I were to post my artwork in a dog lovers Facebook group, I would get crickets on my sales. 

So do some research and find where your ideal audience is hanging out. If you like to create elegant wall art, maybe find a home decor group that is interested in the type of artwork that you create. If you create whimsical art, find a Facebook group that shares the same taste on that type of art.

Likewise, if your selling platform doesn't convey what your artwork is about, it will attract the wrong audience. So design your site or store with a theme and colors that accurately represents what your art is about.

In summary, consider having an online presence by having your own website or selling your artwork on an online platform like the ones listed here and driving the right traffic to your store.

2. Price Points 

Another reason why people might not be purchasing your artwork is that you do not sell art pieces at different price points. 

If you sell all your items at $XXX or more and never have anything less expensive ($X or $XX), I believe you are eliminating a customer base that can't purchase at the $XXX level but certainly can at $X-XX level. So make smaller items for those who love your art but can't afford purchasing your more expensive art pieces. 

For example, there is an artist where I live who does original acrylic paintings. Her originals sell in the $XXX-$XXXX level.  I cannot purchase original art at that price point, but I LOVE her work. Fortunately she sells some matted prints (various sizes) and also sells beautiful glass jewelry. She also sells 6x6 wood blocks with her paintings copied to them. So her fans like me can purchase a wood block, a matted print, or even a piece of glass jewelry and still feel like I am getting a piece of my favorite artist. 

These price points allow my family and me to support her work at a price point we can afford. Is she selling out as an artist for doing this?  I don't believe she is. These lower priced items are still her work and she is opening up an entry level price point.

I have different price points in any given craft show I do. These price points start at about the $7.00 level (acrylic pouring jewelry, dragon eyes, etc) to over $100.00 (mixed media wall art or resin furniture).

I could have everything in my shop be $100+ but I believe that would eliminate many potential customers. 

Different price points means every fan, no matter what their budget is, can take a piece of you home!

But make sure you also know how to price your art so you are not underselling your art and losing money.

3. Booth Appearance 

When doing craft shows, make sure everything looks presentable, organized, and conveys the feeling of the type of artwork that you do. Here are a few tips.

  • Black makes everything pop.
  • Rearrange your booth so that you bring your art to the foreground. 
  • Have good lighting. 

4. Learn to Sell

Just because you are a great artist, it doesn't mean you are a great salesperson.

Great artwork still needs a good marketing plan with good sales tactics. So invest in a course that teaches sales skills like this one and the power of persuasive words.

5. Try Different Markets

If you have tried to sell at craft shows or fairs and haven't been successful, don't give up! Sometimes it is just a matter of finding the right market. 

I have done terrible at some Hispanic fairs but have done very well at other types of fairs like the Renaissance Festival and Fantasy Faire.

So try different fairs or shows, and even try fairs at different locations or cities. 

6. Positive Attitude and Positive Energy

When doing a craft show, have a positive energy and a positive attitude. Have confidence in your work. That confidence and energy will reflect on your sales.

Final Thoughts

If you are feeling like a looser and feel like giving up, then watch the video below to learn about my 11 FAILED businesses and get some encouragement to keep on trying.

Learn about the 10 mistakes I did that cost me 2 1/2 years of my life so you don't make the same mistakes!

And if you'd like to get more ideas on how you can make money online as an artist, then check out this article "How to Earn Money As An Artist: My 12 Income Streams".

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