Art Sales & Commissions: Turn Your Creativity Into Profit and Success

Unlike any period in time, art is now more alive, open, and rich in possibilities than other fields. If you are an aspiring artist or an established one looking to make a wider impact in your field, selling your art or taking up commissions can be extremely beneficial.

The one thing that has changed for the artists in 2022 is that borders and region are no longer what restricts them to frame their work. There is no limit to the opportunities that the web has opened for Sales to market their work and develop relationships with clients. If you are prepared to capitalize on your skills, then this article will teach you the pathways to thrive.

Marketing Artwork: A New Frontier

Do we need to remind you that online platforms have a global reach?

Selling your work online is an entire tier of possibilities that you never dreamed of. sales are able to sell their work 24/7 with the help of international platforms like Etsy, Saatchi Art, and finder. Not only this, you can showcase your art to an international audience.

Etsy is exceptional when it comes to selling prints, original pieces, and even digital downloads of work. With a small Listing Fee that comes with listing plus a 6.5% fee on transactions, it is a great option for independent artists just starting out.

With Saatchi, your only job is to focus on creating while they take care of your marketing and shipping needs. They do take a large cut of 35%, however it pays off as they handle the marketing as well as the logistics of your work which allows you to focus on what you do best.

With finder, you can personally interact with collectors and develop deeper connections.

Even though the commission fee is between 33 to 40 percent, this platform has enabled countless artists to secure loyal customers. This characteristic sets the platform apart.

Redbubble and Society6 serve as a great avenue to earn passive income through print on-demand services. Imagine sleeping while your work is printed on phone cases, clothing, and even home decor! You get between 10-20 percent royalty while these systems do all the work from printing to delivery.

Galleries and Exhibitions: Building Prestige

Traditional art fairs and galleries still wield a considerable influence in the world today. Putting your sales in a gallery gives you more exposure which in return builds your reputation and connects you with potential collectors resulting in higher sales. Always remember that most galleries will take a commission fee of 40-60 percent, but the exposure is often worth it.

Online galleries like UGallery and Singulart offer the same recognition without traveling, although they charge between 30 to 50 percent commission. You are also able to build your collector’s base, network with potential clients, and attend various exhibitions and trade fairs.

Direct Sales via Social Media: Complete Control and Maximum Reward

The emergence of social networking has opened doors for many artists. Now directly selling and advertising your art is as easy as posting the pieces on your Instagram, TikTok, or even Twitter (X).

Ko-fi, Patreon, and Buy Me A Coffee let you make money from and sell your unique content, or even commissions, to your fans directly.

Commissions: Creating Art that Clients Love

The Power of Custom Work

Commissioned artwork creates a bond between the artist and client that is quite special. Whether it’s a painting, character design, or even a piece of custom art, people appreciate personalized works and are willing to pay for them.

This includes scope of work:

Inquiry & Concept – ideas and details exchange
Pricing and Agreement – stipulate terms and conditions
Payment – More often than not sales receives 50 percent of Pay first
Work and Revisions – allow for progress and some changes or 1,2 or 3 changes
Final Delivery – give out the last piece after getting fully paid

Charge what you are worth.

You and your time are worth a lot. Charge what feels right. Commission fees differ depending on the complexity and skill involved. It could go from 50 bucks to over 5 grand.

Always offer lower pricing than the worth of the services rendered. Always offer a range of prices for a single charge (lower, middle, upper) and think of other factors like big backgrounds and commercial using the product.

Your work will fetch a premium price if they include commercial rights.

If a customer wants to employ your artwork on merchandising or branding, then charge them two to five times your rate or negotiate for royalties.

Contracting and Licensing: Safeguard your position.

Trust is increased with clear contractual terms around commission. Specify deadlines, prices, changes, and post-usage rights. Always retain your copyright unless you are paid upfront for an exclusive assignment. Your work is your most valuable property and resource.

Fees, Payments, and Platforms: Get Paid Faster.

Usually used payment services, PayPal and Stripe, are easy to use, but they take around two point nine percent plus thirty cents from every sale. Many other sales receive payments through Venmo, wire transfers, and even cryptocurrency.

Think about the charges of Fiverr or Upwork, which is usually between ten to twenty percent. These platforms can be nice for gaining some visibility and practice, but do be careful to value these services correctly.

How to Be Noticed as an Artist

Build a sophisticated portfolio that plays to your greatest achievements.

Set your prices and rules of engagement and stick to them.

Make sure you constantly and regularly communicate with your clients.

Post your process on social media because people love to see the behind-the-scenes of Sales.

Place watermarks on the preview images and don’t unveil the full image until after payment is received.

Market Yourself Without Hesitation.

Everyone has something to exhibit, and that is your work. Share and market your work without feeling bad.

Post actively on Instagram Stories, TikTok, and Twitter (X). Take advantage of story sharing, organize community giveaways, and collaborate with other creators. To widen your scope, you can participate in Sales focused Discord servers, attend virtual meetups, and take part in competitions.

As a summary: This is your opportunity.

The art world in 2024 is overflowing with potential. Whether you are selling your original paintings, a designer licensing your sales, or someone doing commissioned pieces, there has never been a best time to be an artist.

You can build a flourishing business from your passion with the right strategies and a bold mindset. So get started—put your creative work for everyone to see, collaborate with other colleagues, and sit back and enjoy the growth of your creative career. If you wish to add a call to action, resource links, or a template bundle for sales, you can message me!