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Need help selling pictures online
Nov 23, 2011 09:40:57 #
You'll have better luck selling your work in person, Arts and Crafts shows, Art shows, other merchant sites, anywhere there is an art display such as compititions or areas where art is displayed in public.
Some of the above will charge to display others may take a commision and some will be free.
The important thing to remember is that visibility is more important than sales when first starting out. So where ever you display make sure your name and contact information is highly visible.
Offer your work in various sizes so as to provide a price range for customers to choose from and have an inexpensive item such as note cards. More often than not I'll sell enough note cards at a show to cover my cost of doing the show. Note cards have the added benifit of doubling your visiblity in that the person who buys it sees it and the person who receives it also sees it so make sure your contact information is on the card usually on the back side at the bottom.
Another inportant thing to remember when you're set up in your booth be sure to greet everyone who stops to view your work and strike up a conversation with them, this creates somewhat of a bond so even if they don't buy that day they will remember you when they are ready to buy.
Besides offering a price range also offer a range of subject matter. It increases the chance you'll have somethng they really want.
Be flexiable, if a customer see a piece they want to buy but they don't like the frame be prepared to remove it from the frame and sell it as a matted print or offer to reframe it for them. Also if they would like a piece you have but want it in a different size then offer to produce what they want but get a nonrefundable deposit from them.
Some of the above will charge to display others may take a commision and some will be free.
The important thing to remember is that visibility is more important than sales when first starting out. So where ever you display make sure your name and contact information is highly visible.
Offer your work in various sizes so as to provide a price range for customers to choose from and have an inexpensive item such as note cards. More often than not I'll sell enough note cards at a show to cover my cost of doing the show. Note cards have the added benifit of doubling your visiblity in that the person who buys it sees it and the person who receives it also sees it so make sure your contact information is on the card usually on the back side at the bottom.
Another inportant thing to remember when you're set up in your booth be sure to greet everyone who stops to view your work and strike up a conversation with them, this creates somewhat of a bond so even if they don't buy that day they will remember you when they are ready to buy.
Besides offering a price range also offer a range of subject matter. It increases the chance you'll have somethng they really want.
Be flexiable, if a customer see a piece they want to buy but they don't like the frame be prepared to remove it from the frame and sell it as a matted print or offer to reframe it for them. Also if they would like a piece you have but want it in a different size then offer to produce what they want but get a nonrefundable deposit from them.
Nov 23, 2011 10:03:23 #
Set yourself up anywhere and everywhere. Then link everything you do to those sites.
I have a site at RusselRayPhotos.com, but I'm in the process of reworking it because I'm setting up online storefronts at Zazzle, Shutterfly, SmugMug, and anywhere else I can find.
Can you sell things? Obviously. Otherwise those places would not exist.
Not to mention that I put one product up on Zazzle, a T-shirt, and sold one to some guy in Philadelphia, Mississippi. I didn't even know there was a Philadelphia, Mississippi, so I also learned some geography, too!
The shirt I sold is below.
In order to make online sales work, you have to deal in volume, but that shouldn't be hard in an Internet-connected world. After all, I would never have visited Philadelphia, Mississippi on my own, much less made a sale there. And in the olden days, I might have spent tens of thousands of dollars to find that guy in Philadelphia, Mississippi (I really enjoy saying Philadelphia, Mississippi; I use Windows 7 Speech Recognition for all this stuff).
Unfortunately, it's not easy getting started because the learning curve is steep, just like anything new. However, once you get started and understand the systems, it gets much easier.
Although I don't have many products yet, here is my Zazzle store so far: http://www.zazzle.com/russelrayphotos
I have a site at RusselRayPhotos.com, but I'm in the process of reworking it because I'm setting up online storefronts at Zazzle, Shutterfly, SmugMug, and anywhere else I can find.
Can you sell things? Obviously. Otherwise those places would not exist.
Not to mention that I put one product up on Zazzle, a T-shirt, and sold one to some guy in Philadelphia, Mississippi. I didn't even know there was a Philadelphia, Mississippi, so I also learned some geography, too!
The shirt I sold is below.
In order to make online sales work, you have to deal in volume, but that shouldn't be hard in an Internet-connected world. After all, I would never have visited Philadelphia, Mississippi on my own, much less made a sale there. And in the olden days, I might have spent tens of thousands of dollars to find that guy in Philadelphia, Mississippi (I really enjoy saying Philadelphia, Mississippi; I use Windows 7 Speech Recognition for all this stuff).
Unfortunately, it's not easy getting started because the learning curve is steep, just like anything new. However, once you get started and understand the systems, it gets much easier.
Although I don't have many products yet, here is my Zazzle store so far: http://www.zazzle.com/russelrayphotos
Nov 23, 2011 10:35:06 #
I have been able to sell 5" x 7"cards that I display in round vertical racks in Gift shops. I purchase the blank cards from "www.PhotographersEdge.com" 1-800-550-9254. They have high quality stuff and good service. Depending on the effort you put in to it and the stores you put it into,I think your work should sell.
You have to price your cards to cover the stores commissions which may run 40%
You have to price your cards to cover the stores commissions which may run 40%
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Nov 23, 2011 10:39:10 #
[quote=George H I think they would look magnificent in a poster size.
George[/quote]
okay george..I'm dumb-I'll admit it.. -just 'what' is ,poster size???[say a 4x6 horizonal pic?]...??? I've seen what is called a poster in stores,but they are all 'verticals'???---joe
George[/quote]
okay george..I'm dumb-I'll admit it.. -just 'what' is ,poster size???[say a 4x6 horizonal pic?]...??? I've seen what is called a poster in stores,but they are all 'verticals'???---joe
Nov 23, 2011 11:22:30 #
I think the odds are not to great. With the digital explosion there is just too much out there. I was approached by Getty images to have some pictures I posted on flickr to be added to their stock files. I refused. the thing is with all the images they have in stock, selling mine would be a surprise but my main reason was that they needed my Social Security number for the tax. I don't want to be a victim of some hacker. So be aware.
Nov 23, 2011 11:25:10 #
Nov 23, 2011 13:07:33 #
My view on selling pictures.
About 35 years ago I started taking pictures as a hobby. I have started with film and developing my own b&w with prints. Back then it was difficult to sell a print unless your picture was realy good. Today every school offers media classes and a pigskin to boot. The market is full of digital camras and software to make your 2mp photo sellable. The only photographers making a living are ones doing events and the realy good artist.
A lot of people think a pro cam and computer sys with high end printer will get them started. The bad part is that they feel thier picture are realy good.
There are to many amatures out there trying to make good on what they spent on thier equipment. The media industry sees this as a way to sell expensive equipment to a bunch amatures with hopes and dreams of making a living taking pictures.
My neighbor does wedding videos (for the last 30 years) He always has a job to do. He gets around $2000 a wedding. He found his event.
I am happy just taking pictures for my pleasure. I Hang my pictures around town. If I sell one great, if I dont my world wont come to a end. The sadifaction of someone looking at my work is a good feeling.
About 35 years ago I started taking pictures as a hobby. I have started with film and developing my own b&w with prints. Back then it was difficult to sell a print unless your picture was realy good. Today every school offers media classes and a pigskin to boot. The market is full of digital camras and software to make your 2mp photo sellable. The only photographers making a living are ones doing events and the realy good artist.
A lot of people think a pro cam and computer sys with high end printer will get them started. The bad part is that they feel thier picture are realy good.
There are to many amatures out there trying to make good on what they spent on thier equipment. The media industry sees this as a way to sell expensive equipment to a bunch amatures with hopes and dreams of making a living taking pictures.
My neighbor does wedding videos (for the last 30 years) He always has a job to do. He gets around $2000 a wedding. He found his event.
I am happy just taking pictures for my pleasure. I Hang my pictures around town. If I sell one great, if I dont my world wont come to a end. The sadifaction of someone looking at my work is a good feeling.
Nov 23, 2011 13:27:04 #
CAM1017 wrote:
I have been able to sell 5" x 7"cards that I display in round vertical racks in Gift shops. I purchase the blank cards from "www.PhotographersEdge.com" 1-800-550-9254. They have high quality stuff and good service. Depending on the effort you put in to it and the stores you put it into,I think your work should sell.
You have to price your cards to cover the stores commissions which may run 40%
You have to price your cards to cover the stores commissions which may run 40%
This is exactly what I have done too. After winning photo contests with the local newspapers the gals at the newspaper gave me the encouragement I needed to get off my butt to sell my photos. I am very happy with Photographers Edge products and the ship quickly.
Fortunately I live in an area where there are boutiques and gift shops and LOTS of tourists. I even went to the local casino and they are carrying my cards now. My contact info is stamped on the back and I just got a huge sale for Christmas cards from that.
I have a variety of photos and subjects to cover different tastes. It's fun to go into a store and have the owners love your work and actually buy them. Half of the stores have my work on consignment. I just tell them what I want per card and they mark them up and keep the profit.
Bottom line, it is a real moral booster.
Nov 23, 2011 13:36:49 #
Take a look at zenfolio (www.zenfolio.com), you can get a free trial and have a place to post and sell your work, set your own prices and have a lab do the fulfillment for you. The paid addition is about $125 per year...fully functional website and you need to point your clients to it...It can also link with facebook, twitter, etc...
here's my site: www.imagemarksphotography.com
here's my site: www.imagemarksphotography.com
Nov 23, 2011 14:08:36 #
[quote=jokescache1]
jokescache1, I know George but not sure what his Poster Size's would be, but I prefer the 20 X 30 (20 Inch high x 30 Inchs Wide but I think if a person wanted to special order bigger, well if you can provide it then advertise it. Good Luck
George H I think they would look magnificent in a poster size.
George[/quote wrote:
okay george..I'm dumb-I'll admit it.. -just 'what' is ,poster size???[say a 4x6 horizonal pic?]...??? I've seen what is called a poster in stores,but they are all 'verticals'???---joe
George[/quote wrote:
okay george..I'm dumb-I'll admit it.. -just 'what' is ,poster size???[say a 4x6 horizonal pic?]...??? I've seen what is called a poster in stores,but they are all 'verticals'???---joe
jokescache1, I know George but not sure what his Poster Size's would be, but I prefer the 20 X 30 (20 Inch high x 30 Inchs Wide but I think if a person wanted to special order bigger, well if you can provide it then advertise it. Good Luck
Nov 23, 2011 14:10:08 #
Every one is coming up with some great ideas and been taking good notes. It all makes good sence to me and that is I have to get out there eather through internet or just standing on a corner. Since it's a gloomy day in missour. Im going to go in my secret lab and wipe out some more pictures. Like LWH says. It's a passion. Thanks to all and all have a wounderfull Thanksgiving
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Nov 23, 2011 14:36:10 #
Oh and it's going to depend on how many pixel your camera has Too, as you wouldn't want it too big if you weren't using a High pixel camera and Full Frame
Nov 23, 2011 14:38:18 #
Nov 23, 2011 15:26:32 #
Hi Kathy,
Would it be possible to ask what you price your cards at and what commission the stores typically ask?
Would it be possible to ask what you price your cards at and what commission the stores typically ask?
Nov 23, 2011 15:33:53 #
CAM1017 wrote:
Hi Kathy,
Would it be possible to ask what you price your cards at and what commission the stores typically ask?
Would it be possible to ask what you price your cards at and what commission the stores typically ask?
Yes, I sell them for $3 and they sell them for $4.99 to $6.00. If I sell privately, not to a store, I sell them for $4.00. Works for me and I get return sales.
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