With today’s technology, art gallery owners have a unique opportunity to reach beyond the walls of their physical space and captivate a global audience. Building a solid online presence is key to attracting both local visitors and art lovers from around the world.
Here are five expert strategies to help gallery owners boost their visibility online, increase engagement, and ultimately drive more visitors and sales.
If you want to learn more about art, whether in techniques or managing an art business, try listening to podcasts. A podcast is a type of digital media consisting a series of audio files on lectures, interviews, discussions on a variety of subjects. To listen, you have to subscribe to a podcast and download it to your computer or any digital device. Podcasts are in .mp3 format so you can play it in any media player.
A podcast is a great way of expanding your knowledge in art, know about famous artists, influential persons in the art industry, or simply just being productive even during your idle time since you can listen to a podcast wherever you are. When you’re preparing your canvas for your next project, tidying up your studio, or on your way to your shop, podcast can be a great companion. With lots of podcasts out there, here is a list of 5 art podcasts which you can subscribe to:
1. National Gallery of Art. Currently, this audio series offers more than 300 lectures about the arts and events at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. You can listen to one of the best museum lectures and talks of well-known artists and other personalities in the art world, and learn about the different art movements. Art students, art beginners, and art lovers will enjoy listening to lectures such as The Diamonstein-Spielvogel Lecture Series, Conversations with Artists Series, and Elson Lecture Series.
2. MoMA Talks: Conversations. This podcast is created by the Museum of Modern Art. There are more than a hundred of lectures from curators, scholars, and artists discussing modern and contemporary art. You can listen to readings, courses, and workshops that educate about contemporary art.
3. National Gallery Podcast. The National Gallery in London produces monthly podcasts that explore what happens behind the scenes in the Gallery. They announce upcoming art exhibitions and events, and interviews of people in the art scene. Currently, they have 80 episodes, the latest of which discusses the link between music and Dutch art.
4. SFMOMA Artcast. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is devoted to contemporary and modern art. Its podcast is called “artcast” which gives subscribes interviews with artists, curators, and visitors about the museum’s different exhibitions and collection of modern art. SFMOMA Artcast is produced on a monthly basis.
5.The MAN Podcast. The Modern Art Notes Podcast is a weekly podcast on artists, curators, art historians, and authors. Learn about art exhibitions and collections from contemporary artists including Kerry James Marshall, Joyce Pensato, and Kaz Oshiro.
There are many art podcasts available in the Internet. Listen to some and find what suits your style, interests, and needs.
Image source: www.apple.com
The information age makes its easier for artists to introduce, promote, and sell their paintings using the Internet. Artists can use the services of numerous online art galleries and social media networks to establish their art business. They can also set up their own art website or art blog as platforms for their online business. The Internet makes it easier for artists to do business but unfortunately, there are scammers who also take advantage of technology. As an artist, you must protect yourself and prevent becoming a victim of art scams.
Ways to protect yourself against fraud:
1. Be skeptical. If you receive an email or an offer that’s too good to be true, it probably is. Artists are vulnerable to these scams because they are hungry for fame, excited to make that first sale, and eager to make connections in the business. Signs to look for in a scam email: wrong grammar and spelling of words, urgency to buy, and the so-called buyer insists on arranging the shipment of the painting. Check out the Internet for the lists of email scams, including popular scammer names and email addresses.
2. Establish strict rules on accepting check payments and money orders. To protect yourself, never accept postdated checks, third-party checks, and checks where the amount is more than the agreed upon price for the artwork. Don’t accept overpayment wherein you have to refund the excess amount. For money orders, request the buyer to send payment from a trusted, domestic bank.
2. Make sure the payment is correct and has been cleared. Do not ship the painting unless the check or money order has been cleared in your bank. It takes three weeks or longer before a bank clears checks and if the check you’ve deposited turned to be a counterfeit, your bank may charge penalty fees on you.
3. Protect all online transactions. Use a trustworthy online payment service such as PayPal which protects both you and the buyer. If you’re buying art online, see if the web address starts with “https” or has a padlock symbol. These signs mean that the website where you are placing payment is secure and financial information such as your credit card number is encrypted when it is sent.
4. Be vigilant against computer viruses, trojans, malware,etc. Use the latest anti-virus and anti-spyware programs and keep them updated. If a virus attacks your computer, it can lead losing all your files, including the commercial photos of your paintings. Activate the firewall to prevent online criminals from accessing your computer and getting vital information on your art business.
5. Report scams. If you’ve been a victim of fraud, report it to your State Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Affairs. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
Image source: www.cnn.com
Buying and selling online has increased popularity over the years because of convenience for both the buyer and the seller. For artists who want to put up an art gallery online, a good Ecommerce software is vital to create your total art store online. Here are some of the best Ecommerce software that you can use to start your online business rolling.
Volution
It offers a variety of website designs and tools for your website. It also provides excellent hosting options, payment options and shopping cart tools. The software also create large amount of traffic to your website by integrating it to eBay and offers great marketing features.
Shopify
Shopify features a customer information menu wherein you can organize advertisements and inventory. One of the easiest Ecommerce software to use. It is also known for the simplicity of tools for creating and designing websites. It also offers marketing tools to help bring traffic to your site.
Bigcommerce
This application is very easy to set up and to use. It also offers a variety of tools, from administrative controls to design tools, which will help you get your online art gallery up and running. It has been consistent as one of the leading Ecommerce software for years.
Shopping Cart Elite
Loaded with features that will allow you to set up and manage your online art store with ease. With great design options and extensive marketing tools, this user-friendly software will surely make your website busy in no time.
Ashop Commerce
Also known for its powerful management tools, Ashop Commerce also offers website design tools and templates to choose from. It features a simple interface that is easy to use. It boasts with advanced security tools and payment options. Marketing tools are also available to draw attention to your website.
Pinnacle Cart
With its powerful marketing tools and management features, you will be selling boatloads of your artwork in no time. It provides unique template designs that will suit your personality and your products. And with its superb marketing tools, attention will be at your website 24/7.
3DCart
This Ecommerce software also features a variety of designs for your online store. It offers easy to use managing tools and inventory controls so you can manage your website as smoothly as possible. Although some reviews shows some imperfections of this software, generally it can still run your online business effectively.