“I love creating, I use different mediums, I am always inspired, I create for myself what makes me happy and nourishes me, I have my niche, I promote my art and do my marketing, people say my creations are beautiful and calming.
And yet …… no one is buying, neither physical canvases/sketches or art prints from my online shop.
I came to a point where I ask myself: why continuing sharing them?
There is always a sense of sadness when I see that I don’t get likes or followers or actually that no one is buying; its like I am sinking inside. I don’t care much about likes and comments but I do care about receiving money for my art.
Otherwise, whats the point?”
This is part of a question I recently received from an Artnotes reader, essentially asking, I’m sharing my art – doing all the things you’re ‘supposed to do’ – so why is no one buying it?
It’s a great question, and a brave one to voice, so I appreciated the reader sharing it with me.
I had a few thoughts, and decided to share them in a video, so I included it as part of one of the monthly Q&A videos I make for Happy Artist Studio members, and am sharing that section of it below.
I think this is a much more common situation than we may realise, because it’s not something many artists will want to discuss publicly, understandably!
Many of us share our art out in the world, whether just with friends and family, or on social media, on websites, or in galleries, at art fairs and so on.
And the thing about the online world is that how things appear, and how they actually are, are often very very different.
So today I’m sharing some of my own experiences and thoughts around this subject, and hopefully it will offer some insight and reassurance, whether you share your art to sell or simply for the pleasure of it.
Let me know in the comments – what’s your experience of this, and do you have any words of wisdom to share with our courageous artist friend who asked the question?
thank you very much for your answers to my question Tara! There were lots of truths to ponder on in your message.
Especially the part of “sharing without caring for the feedback” was very important to hear.
Pushing the marketing though feels terribly exhausting to the point of being burnout and i need to find a more flowing approach if there is any.
Thank you!
I really understand that Dana! I think social media has created this idea that we just need to post and share and that will be enough, but actually there’s a lot more to it than that, and it can quickly start to feel overwhelming, especially if you haven’t run a business before. I think it’s very misleading quite honestly, and more people should be talking about the huge amount of work that goes into being an artist in business.
We need to be able to think strategically, learn ways of marketing that align with our values and feel sustainable, and set up processes so we can stay consistent, and all of that takes time and can be a learning curve for sure. There are definitely ways to automate so you don’t have to feel ‘on’ all the time, but it does take work! I appreciate you asking this question because I think it opens up a topic more of us need to be aware of!
Thanks for putting this question out there. You describe feelings that many of us have at times.
I’m definitely not one putting a lot of effort in marketing, almost non at all actually. I do have a shop but I’ve had only one sale through it during almost 2 years’ time. Proof that I’m not doing my homework when it comes to the business side of things.
My experience is that my collectors want to have a personal connection with me as an artist before they make a purchase. So, I sell a lot more work when I exhibit my work and I’m there to connect with potential buyers. I don’t know of you have tried to sell your work that way?
It’s almost impossible to stand out on social media today. It takes a lot of work and I know from start that I won’t have so much time or energy to invest. So I’ve come to terms with the notion that I’m not going to ever have online sales of the caliber or frequency I see other artists have. And it’s ok. I’m never going to stop making the art and I’d still want to share it because I’m so happy with it, sometimes even proud I created something so beautiful (according to me of course 😆) and I’d like the world to know.
A bit like being in love actually 😉
That’s such good intel that your collectors like personal relationship with you before buying Gina. My question would be how could you translate that online? You can do both, if you want to! I do sell my work both on and offline, and haven’t found that all my collectors want to have that personal relationship with me {which I’m grateful for, as that’s not my personal zone of genius!}. I think it’s a case of a lot of experimenting and then doubling down when you find something that works. And if you only want to use social media for sharing the joy of what you create, that’s good intel too, and it means you can take the pressure off it being a source of income.
Yes, it would be lovely to be able to create that connection on-line (which is what marketing is basically – at least as I understand it). The thing is I’m eloquent and all when it comes to many things. I can talk, analyze and explain the heck out of a lot of subjects. But when I need to talk, describe or verbalize my motives, sources of inspiration etc, I get all blocked and can’t find anything interesting to say.
And then I have to do that regularly and consequently 😱
I guess I need a marketing mentor that tells me “do this” or “do that” as I don’t have the time to figure out all these things by myself. Not with a high tempo full-time job and family to take care.
I’d also probably need a lot more money 😏
Yes! I’ve heard lots of great definitions of marketing that are to do with making connections, having a conversation, and being generous, which I think helps a lot with reframing it from something pressure filled and icky. Marketing is also experimenting, and as artists we’re good at that already! You’ll be shocked to hear I suspect your tongue-tied-ness around talking about your art is a mindset thing. 😉 Which means it’s entirely adjustable. This conversation is getting very thin! lol. Thanks so much for being part of it Gina.
Very wise words and a great reminder. There are many of us in the same boat.
Thank you. 💛
Glad you found it helpful Hayley! And yes, I think it’s much more common than people like to admit to!
Thank you Tara for this reminder and for setting some priorities straight. Making a living from art and courses is incredibly complex and can only be accomplished if you keep evolving and learning while staying true to yourself.
Without diligence and knowledge acquisition in so many areas beyond creativity, it doesn’t work. But it’s worth it!!! Because our work fulfills us and is the most beautiful thing you can do ❤
I do think of business as a very creative act! It’s all just different ways of using my creativity, which my brain likes because it likes variety. 😊 But it is also like having two full time jobs to make and sell your art AND make and sell courses.😅 That’s why we each have to experiment to find our own unique combination, and as you say, it’s always evolving. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts Maria!
Thank you so much for this video, Tara! These were really helpful thoughts and information.
Most welcome Barbara, glad you found it helpful!
Really great video. A lot of very helpful advice there. Though I feel blessed now that I can make art (and sell the occasional piece) without having to rely on it as my main income source (and doubly blessed in having a ‘day job’ that I absolutely love).
Thanks Tara, you’re so generous with your wisdom!
I think there’s a lot to be said for not having all your income eggs in one basket – as you say, there’s much more ease around it when you’re not putting all the pressure on your art. I love hearing from artists who’ve found a happy medium – thanks for sharing here Bo!