The image of the struggling artist might be a romantic trope in a Hollywood movie, but there’s no reason for artists to limit their vision when finding the right buyer for their work.
Your artistic practice is an expression of your unique view of the world, built on a solid foundation of talent and skill. It can take hours, days, or even months to produce a perfect canvas. So, how do you get the world’s attention within minutes? You can take your art beyond the walls of your local gallery and reach a worldwide network of art buyers.
Read on to discover some tips for taking the direct route to a global audience and monetizing your work through WordPress.com.
Create a global gallery with WordPress.com
You may already have a Business website on WordPress.com. But if you don’t, it’s an excellent solution. You can build a beautiful site quickly and without any coding knowledge. And the best part? You own absolutely all of your content and designs. With it, you can write posts about your passions to drive search engine traffic and even sell your artwork online. Here are a few ways to do this:
1. Use PayPal
The Pay with PayPal button allows you to quickly accept one-time payments.
First, use the WordPress block editor to build your page — simply drag and drop elements like images, videos, paragraphs, buttons, and more. Add beautiful pictures and write about the motivations and inspirations behind your art. Then, add the Pay with PayPal block. This adds a clickable button that enables website visitors to purchase your artwork using their PayPal account or credit card.
And if you hold physical events or galleries, put custom links on labels of specific pieces so people can buy online during the show or a few days later once they realize they simply can’t live without it.
2. Add a Donations Block
Offer your audience the chance to support your art by leaving a tip or donation. You can get creative by asking visitors to “Buy me a coffee!” or “Chip in for new paint!” The Donations Block is a straightforward way to add this almost anywhere on your site. You can even give supporters the chance to make it a recurring donation for ongoing support!
3. Offer a Paid Newsletter
Build a database of paid subscribers to support your work by offering premium email newsletters. If you like to write or regularly release new art like weekly comics or political cartoons, this is a great way to earn recurring revenue.
All you have to do is create content for your paid newsletter and add it into a Premium Content block. This can be anything you’d like — blog posts, comics, videos, photos, etc. Then, only people who have paid for a subscription will receive this content in their email inbox.
4. Sell Subscriptions to Exclusive Content
Sell subscriptions or memberships that allow fans to access exclusive content. Post behind-the-scenes or first looks at your newest work, host Q&A sessions, or even teach classes.
Subscriptions are a great way to earn recurring revenue. And if you create something that can be used over and over again, you can continue to earn money to support your art without having to do more work each time someone new subscribes.
One great way to do this is by creating video classes or tutorials. Film a series for different skill levels or give guidance about specific styles or advanced tips to other artists. If you can create a following that appreciates your work and turns to you for advice, you can promote these pre-filmed classes and continue to generate revenue for years!
5. Sell a Library of Artwork with WooCommerce
If you have a more extensive portfolio of work, you might want to set up an online store using WooCommerce, the eCommerce leg of WordPress. This step takes a little more time but can add a level of professionalism to your digital portfolio, along with extra functionality.
Beautiful online art store built with WooCommerce for artist Mirna Sišul
WooCommerce allows for ultimate flexibility:
- Invite your audience to browse by medium, mood, or subject matter by making use of product categories.
- Create simple products for one-off, original pieces. Or sell variable products that allow customers to choose from options like size and frame design.
- Sell customized artwork with Product Add-ons. Shoppers could request initials, names, or any other personalization.
- Offer a variety of payment options that work best for your audience. Let customers pay in installments, accept 135+ different kinds of currency, or offer modern payment methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and various cryptocurrencies.
Simplicity and flexibility are the highlights of WooCommerce. Tailor a custom solution to meet your distinctive needs and your unique portfolio of work. Plus, you save on listing fees by selling on your own site rather than a third-party marketplace.
6. Your Art on Merch
Next, don’t discount the idea of offering merchandise. People who like your visual style may be interested in purchasing a whole range of items, including pins, greetings cards, tote bags, and clothing that features your designs. And you don’t even have to worry about inventory if you print on demand.
7. Events and Classes
Want to host a live class or event? Use Tickets for WooCommerce to list the events on your site and collect money for tickets.
Your Art, Your Direction
The most exciting part about selling your art online with WordPress.com is that you’re in complete control of how you price and present your art. When you pair this flexibility with the substantial savings you’ll enjoy compared to listing your art with third parties, you can grow your site to become a bustling, thriving, and honest reflection of your artistic practice.
Start fast and launch with a simple blog and “Pay with PayPal” buttons, or create an intricate online gallery with the advanced functionality of WooCommerce.
Either way, WordPress.com provides the engine and the freedom you need to sell your art online.
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