If you’re buying a gift for someone who draws, or wants to start drawing as a hobby, skip the cheapest starter kits. A few good tools are worth far more than a box full of Chinese crap. Who am I to recommend these items? I’m KevinHayler, and I’ve been a …
The best customers you can ever have are the ones who keep coming back. Selling to someone who already knows you is a lot easier than trying to win over a complete stranger. At art fairs it is tempting to spend all your energy chasing new buyers. The trouble is, …
Imagine this. Your booth looks great, your art is ready, and the fair is buzzing with people. Then your phone pings, a friend stops by for a long chat, or your neighbor turns up the volume on their speaker. In seconds, the small crowd you had begins to drift away. …
You know the scene. Someone slows down, stops in front of your work, has a good long look, maybe even points something out to a friend. You think, great, they’re interested. Then what happens? They smile politely and drift off down the aisle. Nothing. It drives you mad. You know …
After 20 years of selling art at markets and art fairs, I’ve seen some absolute clangers.Here are a few awkward artist habits that still make me wince, and if you catch yourself doing any of these, it’s time to stop. Don’t do any of these art fair mistakes. 1. Ignoring …
Refunds and returns are one of those things that worry artists when they first start selling. The thought of dealing with an unhappy customer can feel stressful, and it’s easy to imagine it as a bigger problem than it really is. The truth is, refunds hardly ever come up, and …
If realistic paintings are hard to sell, how on earth do you sell abstract art? Is there even a market for abstract paintings? And if so what do people look for? The most popular abstract paintings are sold as large feature pieces and as focal points in a living space. …
What do I mean by ‘sales prop?’ A sales prop is simply a talking point. It gives someone an excuse to stop, ask a question, and start a conversation without it feeling awkward or forced. In other words, it’s a subtle way to invite engagement without coming across as salesy. …
I’ve been blogging as an artist for years, and I can tell you this: the hardest part is often just knowing what to write about. So I’ve put together a big list of blog content ideas to help you stay inspired and consistent without tearing your hair out. If you’re …
Has anyone ever told you how lovely your signature is? No, nor me. Mine is boring on a good day. But here’s the thing, as an artist, you end up signing all manner of stuff, don’t you? Over the years, I’ve ended up with three different signatures: one for official …
QR codes are popping up everywhere, and many artists wonder if they’re a smart way to sell art. The truth? They can help you reach buyers online, but they also risk driving customers away from buying in person. Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons so you can …
Upselling might sound a bit pushy but, when done right, it’s simply a way to help customers get a bargain while boosting your income at the same time. This works for any creative business. I’ve been selling my art for over 20 years, and upselling has been one of the …
Art festivals are a mix of excitement, chaos, and possibility. They’re a chance to get your work in front of new eyes, connect with fellow artists, and hopefully make some cash. But your first art festival can be stressful and exhausting if you’re not well prepared. Here’s my guide to …
Art doesn’t sell itself. That’s the cold, hard truth I’ve learned after more than 20 years of trading at art fairs. You can have the best artwork in the world, but if you can’t connect with people and potential art buyers, you’ll stand there all day watching folks drift by …
I’ve sold my wildlife art from street markets and art fairs. Both can work, and both come with their own headaches. If you’re wondering where to focus your efforts, here’s my no-nonsense comparison to help you figure it out. 1. Costs and Overheads The Advantages of Street Selling One of …
Most people who visit your art market booth are friendly, curious, and genuinely interested in your work. In fact, the vast majority are a pleasure to chat with and may even walk away with a print or two. But every now and then, you’ll run into difficult people. Whether they’re …
Selling your art isn’t just about making great work. It’s also about understanding how to run a business. If you’re putting in the hours but still not making the sales you expected, there’s a good chance you’re making one, or more, of these art business mistakes. I’ve been doing this …
Greeting people at your art booth can feel awkward at first, but it’s a skill you need to learn if you want to sell your work. You don’t have to be an extrovert. I’m not, and yet I spent over 20 years selling my art prints face to face. In …
If you’re tired of wasting hours making your own poster backgound Mock Ups , this will save you a ton of time. I’ve put together a free pack of 60 square-format wall art background mock ups for Instagram, ready to use and made specifically for artists. These are photorealistic digital …
Let’s start with the awkward truth, most artists hate writing an art description about their own artwork. It feels unnatural, forced, and frankly a bit cringe. But good art captions help sell your work, whether online or face to face. They are not an optional extra, far from it, they …