Promoting yourself on social media
The most obvious way to let people know that you make art is by promoting your practice on social media. It’s free to use, fairly easy to figure out, and can start getting your work on people’s radar immediately. There are a lot of artists who had never shown in a gallery before, but who were able to generate business solely through their Instagram account.
Showcasing available works on your website
Having a website to showcase your work (especially your available work) is also a necessity. It should be clearly labeled photographs of individual works, an up-to-date CV, any relevant press, and a brief statement that sums up the Artist practice. The best artist websites are easy to scroll or click through, so an interested viewer can browse between artworks without difficulty.
The easiest way to make your work available to potential buyers on your website is by putting up a simple statement like: “For inquiries on purchasing an artwork, please contact me at [your email address].”
On working with galleries
When working directly with a gallery, know that you’ll have to split the profits from any sales. Generally, the gallery will take about 25-50% of a work’s sale price. While it may seem crazy to give away half of your money, galleries will be able to get your work out to a larger audience than you’ll be able to reach on your own.
When you get the chance to work with a gallery for a group show, art fair, or via the gallery’s online store, make sure you get all the details of the relationship in writing. Ask them for a consignment agreement that covers the price that they’ll list your work for sale at, the length of time they’ll have your work on consignment, the terms of sale.
On commissions and loans
Commissions
If you’re ever asked to a do a commission the first thing to do is to make sure the terms are written down and agreed to. You’ll also want to make sure that once the work is started, there can be no refund on the down payment, and that once the work is completed, the work cannot be returned if the collector doesn’t like it.
Once a contract for a commission is signed, you should always require a 50% down payment of the final sale price.
Loans
Often, art shows can take place in hotel rooms, coffee shops, bank lobbies, or at friends’ houses. In these instances, there might not be a huge opportunity for sales, since it’s more of a curatorial undertaking. But who knows what can happen! Whenever you loan out your work—whether it’s for a casual show at a friend’s pop-up store, or for something more established—make sure you get or provide a consignment agreement.
Selling your art through online platforms
In addition to there are many other platforms like SAATCHI ART or ARTFINDER that can help showcase your work to a wider community.
Some sites require that your work is already shown through a gallery or fair while others are generally looking for works by artists with name recognition so they can more easily market it to their audiences.
Good luck!