In the Art Marketing Minute Podcast, you’ll learn how to sell your art, how to market your paintings, and everything else you need to know in order to have a successful art career. Each episode answers questions from artists by host Eric Rhoads, author of “Make More Money Selling Your Art,” publisher of several art magazines and newsletters, and author of ArtMarketing.com.

In this Art Marketing Minute, Eric Rhoads shares advice on selling art framed vs unframed, and tips on starting your list for direct mail and newsletters.

Listen to the Art Marketing Minute Podcast: Episode 14 >>>

Submit Your Art Marketing Question:

What questions do you have about selling your art? Email Eric today at [email protected] (include your name and where you’re from) to hear your question answered on an upcoming Art Marketing Minute Podcast.

FULL TRANSCRIPT of the Art Marketing Minute:
DISCLAIMER: The following is the output of a transcription from an audio recording of the Art Marketing Minute. Although the transcription is mostly correct, in some cases it is slightly inaccurate due to the recording and/or software transcription.

Announcer 0:02
This is the Art Marketing Minute with Eric Rhoads, author of the Amazon best selling book, “Make More Money Selling Your Art.” In the marketing minute we answer your questions to help your art career brought to you by artmarketing.com, the place to go to learn more about marketing. Now, here’s your host, arts magazine publisher, Eric Rhoads.

Eric Rhoads 0:23
Thank you Jim Kipping. And thank you for joining us today. My goal is to eliminate the idea of starving artists. So let’s get right to today’s questions.

Here’s a question from Sharon Bamber of Nakusp British Columbia.
Sharon paints pastels and sells online. She wants to know should she be selling her art framed or unframed?

I’m a big believer in spending money on quality frames. I think any gallery owner can tell you at least one story about a frame change helping create a big sale of a piece that was previously not moving. The reality is that ultimately your artwork will be judged by the client and everyone who views that painting on your client’s wall. They will judge your painting and the frame it’s in as a package. If they view the art and the frame together as something that works, you benefit. They could become a collector of your work. Therefore you as the artist should try to control the situation as best you can by selling your artwork framed. And it should be a frame that does justice to your painting. Frame decisions are artistic decisions. Plus why make them do extra work. And this way you control the type of frame you place your work in. If they choose to reframe it, that’s up to them, but most will just hang it and enjoy it.

The next question is from Steph Lord of Chicago
At PACE during art marketing bootcamp, you talked about the importance of marketing art via a Newsletter. If I’m starting out, can I and should I buy a list of names to send a direct mailed newsletter to?

That’s a good question. Really when you’re starting out you should be willing to invest some dollars to build your business. But remember that shortcuts are dangerous. I wouldn’t buy a mailing list and just start mailing to it. A list of people that respond and show interest in you is far different than any list you can purchase. Direct mail to people who know and like your business would be expected to be in the ½ of 1 percent to 2% range. But to a list of people that don’t know you, it could be a fraction of that fraction…or zero. Build your list in any way possible but go for people interested in your work. For instance have people sign up at art fairs or places you’re showing your art. Also, in my book Make More Money Selling Your Art, I talk about lead magnets. This is a great opportunity for one. You can create a lead magnet campaign on social media fairly inexpensively. I’d suggest creating some sort of “lead magnet” where you give away or inexpensively sell something of value. A common thing is an ebook of your best paintings. If you want to spend some money to get customers, What would I offer? Perhaps a postcard sized print of a painting of something in your community. That may stimulate interest. Captured names from a lead magnet are real prospects worthy of your mailing list because they freely give their address and email address to get something you created. That’s a qualified list, and if you build that you’re on your way to becoming an effective marketer.

This has been the art marketing minute with me, Eric Rhoads. My goal in life is to eliminate the idea of the starving artist and to help your dreams actually come true. Thanks for listening.

Remember to Submit Your Question: What questions do you have about selling your art? Email Eric today at [email protected] (include your name and where you’re from) to hear your question answered on an upcoming Art Marketing Minute Podcast.