Have you ever wondered why you often find a coupon tucked inside your cereal box Wholesale Charles Barkley Jersey , or get invited to a customer preview sale at your favorite department store? Those companies know that their existing customers are the best - and most profitable - customers they'll ever have. So it's not surprising that they'll do whatever they can to keep these customers happy and coming back again and again.
Believe it or not, the same concept holds true for your art career. While you don't want to ignore potential customers, you'll find that when you pay a little more attention to the customers and collectors you already have, it will really pay off - in increased sales and profits for your art business. The following 10 practical strategies will get you started.
1 - Understand how and why your customers buy art
Put yourself in your customers' shoes. What's in it for them when they purchase your art? Maybe they feel great about owning a piece of original artwork. Or they're happy to support an emerging artist. Perhaps they're looking forward to showing their new painting to friends. Start listening to your customers and asking questions, and you'll learn a lot - fast.
Don't underestimate the power of being an art collector yourself. You'll know firsthand how your collectors feel when they purchase your work Wholesale Wilt Chamberlain Jersey , and you'll be a great role model for them. Even better, you'll be supporting other artists.
2 - Make the first purchase a fabulous experience
When you sell a piece of artwork, remember that it's also an exciting event for your customers. So let them be excited about their purchase. Accept any compliments graciously. Then share something personal that lets them know that you're excited about the sale, too. Tell them how the sale is meaningful to you: It's your first; your first to someone in New Jersey; your first in this series, or your last one like this. A positive connection now can pay off for years to come.
3 - Be businesslike in everything you do
Treat your art as a business Wholesale Maurice Cheeks Jersey , and treat your customers in a businesslike manner. Be meticulous about meeting deadlines and keeping appointments. Always provide the materials or information you promised - complete, and on time. And remember to thank your collectors personally when they attend one of your shows or support you in any way. A quick note or an e-mail will be appreciated, and remembered.
In addition, be businesslike when you price your artwork. Keep your pricing consistent: from the gallery to your studio, and from city to city. And stick to your prices no matter what; never discount your work.
Naturally Wholesale Julius Erving Jersey , it makes sense to present yourself in a professional manner every time you show someone your work. That said, never try to be someone you're not. Let your personality come through, and you'll be the best businessperson you can be: you.
4 - Make it easy for your customers to purchase more of your work
I was at a friend's house recently and admired a beautiful hand-made journal she'd purchased at a local craft fair. Thinking it would make a perfect gift for another friend, I asked for the artist's name. When she didn't remember, we looked inside the journal and discovered the artist's name and phone number were nowhere to be found. The result? He or she lost a sale.
Put your contact information on everything that leaves your studio: letterhead Wholesale Allen Iverson Jersey , invitations, show announcements, note cards, etc. Affix a personalized label on the back of each painting that includes your name, plus your e-mail address or Web site.
And send your new collectors home with an "Artist Pack": a professional-looking folder with your business card Wholesale Moses Malone Jersey , resume, artist statement, bio, articles about you and by you, and so on. You'll be amazed at how often your customers will share it with their friends and associates.
5 - Ask for another sale
When liquid shampoo first came out Cheap Robert Covington Jersey , it gave consumers a convenient and easy way to wash their hair. "Lather and rinse," the label said. But shampoo sales really took off when just one word was added. Your shampoo bottle now says, "Lather, rinse, and repeat if desired."
Repeat sales can revolutionize your business Cheap Henry Sims Jersey , too. So display your work in your home and studio where visitors will see it. And when customers are making a purchase, be bold: Ask them if they'd like to purchase a second (or third) piece. Ask your collectors for referrals to another collector, or to a shop or gallery where they think your work might fit in. Or suggest a commissioned piece you'd like to do for them. The key here is to ask for the sale.
6 - Upgrade your customers
Another way to increase your income is to upgrade your customers to a more profitable product ("deluxe" shampoo for color treated hair, for example). It's really pretty easy, once you get the hang of it. Here are some upgrade ideas that have worked well for my clients:
? Encourage your customers who ordinarily buy giclee reproductions to purchase an original painting.
? Introduce your existing customers to some of your more expensive or larger pieces of art.
? If you have collectors who so far have bought only your sketches or drawings Cheap Tiago Splitter Jersey , suggest they purchase one of your paintings next time.
7 - Cross-sell your customers
Cross-selling is simply selling your customers something different from - but related to - what they're already buying. Think back to the shampoo example. Wouldn't it be relatively easy to cross-sell hair conditioner to someone who already uses shampoo?
Now take a look at your own artwork. Cross-selling might mean selling a piece of your pottery to one of your painting customers, selling a painting to one of your sculpture collectors, or suggesting your art note cards as an add-on sale when a customer stops by to pick up his pet portrait. Be imaginative, and you can increase both sales and profits.