How to Make People WANT to Buy your Art

Comments · 49

• MI

  @millmallory · 3 weeks ago

  I can say 100%, from experience, that if you don’t ask anyone, no one will buy.  It’s like I was expecting them to be the customer AND the sales person.  (I’m rolling my eyes at myself right now).

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• GV

  @Gvgartnat · 3 weeks ago

  There is psychology behind the word “you”. Most people find “you should…” or “you are…” to be negative, confrontational, and aggressive. I agree that encouraging the purchase is important. To avoid “you”statements, use “I” statements instead. Such as, “I had artwork speak to me this summer as well. I enjoy waking up to it every morning, the textures of the paint look beautiful in the afternoon light of my living room.” This makes the buyer visualize the art in their home and daily routine without the pressure of a “you” statement. Maybe asking for the sale works for some people, but I think everyone universally hates car salesman pressure.

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• LE

  @lesliesmith7312 · 3 weeks ago

  Every time I’ve been in stores and I sense people are trying to talk me into something I instantly get annoyed. Even when it’s something I like

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• GI

  @gienaguidry4009 · 2 weeks ago

  I just had a show, & tried it, & sold 2 paintings, and possibly have one commission. My goal was to be bold and asked for the sale and it worked. 👏🏻👏🏻 thank you Ellie. I can’t wait to meet you in person at your class in October. 🎉

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• DO

  @donovanmedieval · 3 weeks ago (edited)

  I’m afraid that if I asked somebody whether they think th sun iis setting or rising, they’ll say “It’s your painting. You tell me.”

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• SU

  @suzannebonham583 · 3 weeks ago (edited)

  I am a complete introvert, and I hate slimy sales tactics so much that I never wanted to be in sales as an adult.  Well, guess what, now I'm in sales.  Doesn't God have a sense of humor 🙄 In my current work, I keep saying "make a product that's so good it sells itself", and I was a very good "closer" by just answering the prospective client's questions honestly and completely.  I was generous with my time, and if we were on the phone I would talk my way through it and show them pictorial examples online.  If by email, I would tell them things that they didn't know they needed to know, and they would always tell me that they appreciated this.  Even if they did not eventually buy, they came away from the interaction with useful knowledge.  And I actually enjoy talking to clients!  It makes me feel good that the client and I have some shared interest, and it brings me joy to learn about their homes and how they are personalizing their home and how they share meals and so forth.  Now, for paintings, the motivation to buy one is quite different from purchasing a piece of furniture.  I will have to learn new things about this.  It really helps me hear you give examples of what to ask art collectors.  It brings me joy to hear others talk about how my paintings make them FEEL.  One said:  it gives me a peaceful, quiet feeling, and at the same time, it makes me want to go on adventure!  Do you know - nobody has said anything of the sort about a piece of furniture.  This is going to be fun, learning new things about selling paintings.

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• LI

  @littlepinkpebble · 3 weeks ago

  this is so good now I wanna buy your art too haha.... I don't meet people face to face but I'll save these gems in my mind

  1

• DE

  @denisehoag8327 · 2 weeks ago

  Thank you Elli this is so helpful for me! Your timing with this is incredible! I just did a tent market at a Medieval Faire this summer and sold 3 paintings. They were people who sold themselves. I learned that I really didn’t know how to sell my work. I was guilty of commenting on their costumes!😬I had many who, I realize now with what you have shared-that loved my work, I could have closed the sale. Lots to ponder here. Many thanks again. So grateful to have you as my guide.

• SH

  @shesgotpassion6593 · 2 weeks ago

  Very good sales training for artists! Thank you Elli!

• SU

  @Sumbolum · 3 weeks ago

  The payment plan is logical. Whenever they pay in full, you send it to them.

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• TE

  @TeeVeesGreatest · 10 days ago

  Great video! I only sell my paintings online in a couple of places, which makes it a bit tricky to ask for sales, if someone asks me questions online, I do ask them then but maybe I need to find art shows which would help

  1

• WA

  @WatercolorArteest · 8 days ago

  I feel I need to practice some of these techniques. I can't tell you how many people who came to my tent after seeing my work in the upstairs gallery said that my work is gorgeous. That they love it but didn't take the next logical step but I didn't know that I should ask for the sale. After watching this video I had many missed opportunities. I did, however, get lucky and sold one of my gallery pieces to a gentleman who saw the print in my bin and wanted the original. He bought it.