Do Works Sell On the Internet?

Hello again. I wondered if any of my fellow Sculptors have had any success selling their works on the Internet? Are there any tips you can share with a new 'online' sculptor? Some Friends have built a site for me, and I am working on keywords et cetera for them to submit to search engines, but thought I would ask some peers first. Any comments at all that would be helpful are most welcome.

Kindest Regards

Richard.

I am a bit of an outsider looking in because I am mainly a commercial sculptor. I get to design less than 10% percent of the work I do or design 'popular' work I think tourists will buy. My fine art ambitions are focused on fresco painting and sculpted walls and ceilings. I have been following this issue for a number of years.

I think you will find very few people who rely on internet sales. Your website is a part of your whole marketing package. The most healthy way to look at it is that it is the equivalent of a four colour printed brochure. You know the cost to produce quality print - laser colour copies do not look the same. The website offers a lower price than printing,and you don't have to pay mailing costs or envelope stuffing costs. True, not everyone has internet access, but your targetted market most likely does. A website will also give you more credibility as an established artist. There is a large section of the Canadian & U.S. & Japanese market that depends on peer acceptance when making a major art purchase - a name has to be recommended by a well known gallery or interior design house or those 'in the know' (wink,wink). The true patrons of the arts, whether individual or corporate, will have a braver eye to spot genuine talent and will seek out your work, and follow your career, but they still have to somehow know you exist. Are these patrons prowling the internet, seeking out on-line galleries for new talent - I don't think so. All the traditional rules still apply, a website is just another tool. And this is just an opinion.

I just sold my first piece via website to a stranger. My tips are: good photos, and good-sized. Don't make 'em assume the piece is good from a teeny picture. Post your resume and artists statement somewhere in there. I hope / believe we will be able to ask galleries to consider us on the basis of websites, rather than sending sheets of slides (I don't believe they project them, do you?) We have discussed posting prices on this newsgroup and decided it's best to give a range, not a lot of arbitrary figures.