Comments on: Selling Art With Twitter – Have You Sold Any?

By: Daniel Edlen

Daniel Edlen — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:46:49 +0000

I have sold several pieces because of my presence on Twitter. As several marketing types have said, it’s being there, showing up. It’s been almost entirely fortuitous connections. I’ve sold pieces to @copyblogger @RyanBarton @bombhiphop @espressojunky @jasondbarr directly through Twitter. I really think it’s a matter of being prepared. I just did a blog post called “Preparation Prevents Perspiration” about being able to say yes without freaking out.

Being on Twitter has also helped in general because I have relationships with people who’ve helped with suggestions and with spreading knowledge of my art. Right now, my main focus is on exposure and several opportunities came to me because of Twitter, like being able to donate a piece then signed by @DAVID_LYNCH to his @DLFTV. And getting to give a piece to @robdyrdek because of a connection with @JarodCapitalA.

The goal for me is one at a time. Marketers talk about the 1000 fans or whatever. It’s really just one person at a time that matters. And Twitter allows you to give that attention, that direct focus to make people feel connected and like your only customer. Since I do mostly custom work, it’s perfect. The constant lesson is staying in balance between broadcasting and listening. I’m still working on it, but Twitter’s definitely proven a valuable way to reach people to buy and share my art.

Peace,
@vinylart

By: Moshe Mikanovsky

Moshe Mikanovsky — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:19:11 +0000

Hi,

I am a Ketubah (Jewish marriage certificate) artist and my designs are licensed to another company to print.
At Twitter I am trying few things:
1. Search for people who are looking to buy Ketubahs and direct them to my designs. I have a permanent search for the keyword “Ketubah”.
2. Connect with wedding professionals like organizers, bloggers, and other wedding vendors, and through them get to potential clients. Through that I had my site posted on few wedding professionals blogs.
3. Connect with art marketing professional, related to licensing
4. Connect with other artists

From all of these, I hope I made or will make some sale, although the printer company is the one dealing directly with the clients so I am never sure where they are coming from (twitter or other places).
I also hope to make more connections and interest in future licensing agreements.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 23:16:32 +0000

Hi Jude! That’s a terrific experience which really validates the potential of twitter as a selling tool. Thanks for commenting.

By: Jude Maceren

Jude Maceren — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:33:22 +0000

I got connections thru Twitter of a website owner who was building another website that sells dog and cat items. She found my cat artwork perfect for her website and will eventually in the long run put my work to sell there. Another prospect who loved my floral and landscape work was planning to use me to do children’s book illustration hopefully in the future. Although all of these did not convert yet to revenues but it showed that Twitter could be a great marketing tool to connect to prospect buyers.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:30:36 +0000

Hi Amy! That’s great to hear. Please keep us posted on your progress.

We have not sold art through twitter (yet!) but we have sold several paintings in the $1,500 – $5,000 range through connections built up through blogging. The combination of twitter with art blogs is potentially very powerful.

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:38:55 +0000

I have not been on Twitter very long, but one person said they plan to purchase holiday cards for their business customers from me. I know of at least one artist who has definitely sold stuff because of Twitter contacts and I find tweeting with other artists to be inspiring and fun. However, I have not found it easy to pick out potential customers for establishing relationships, but I hope to get better at that with experience.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:30:04 +0000

Welcome Sandra and thanks for your comment. I guess that looking back a better question might have been, “Have you sold any art as a result of twitter?”

I am sure that over time some of these twitter connections must translate into sales even if indirect?

By: Sandra Reid

Sandra Reid — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:17:34 +0000

No I have not sold anything through Twitter and I get very little traffic directed from Twitter to my blog either. Part of the problem I believe is that social media in New Zealand is in its infancy so it is much harder to connect with people interested in art.

My focus with Twitter is more for finding appropriate network connections in a variety of fields internationally rather than selling art and I’m happy with that.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:57:47 +0000

Welcome to Art Marketing secrets Barbara, Miriam, and Marc! Thanks for your comments. We also enjoy twitter as a way to meet and stay connected with artists and arts professionals – its fun! Lets see what we hear from other artists in this discussion…

By: Barbara J Carter

Barbara J Carter — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:39:13 +0000

In a word: no. I haven’t sold any of my art through Twitter.

I’m happy to use it as a way to connect with other artists and stay informed about art.