How to Sell More Art with Pinterest

Pinterest is an excellent free marketing tool for Artists. Rather than a social media platform, Pinterest is a visual search engine. You can use this search engine to sell more of your artwork!

Whether you sell original paintings, art prints, or physical products through Print on Demand platforms, using Pinterest can really help boost your sales. And the best part is, it’s totally free!

You can either watch this video I created which explains my Pinterest strategy specifically for Redbubble (but works for any print on demand store), or scroll down to read about it in detail.

Pinterest Marketing Strategy

Create a Pinterest business account

You can either create a brand new business account, or convert your personal account into a business account.

The benefit of converting a personal account is if you’ve actively been using Pinterest for a while your account may have more authority and better standing than a brand new account.

You can easily hide boards unrelated to your niche (recipe boards etc.) but still have access to them and the ability to pin to them, so you won’t lose pins you want to keep.

Once you have a business account you can utilize Pinterest analytics to see how your pins are performing.

Claim your website(s)

You can track what people are pinning from your website (if you have one) by claiming your website on Pinterest.

You can also claim social media accounts like Instagram and Youtube to track pins from those platforms as well.

Create boards related to your niche

You should create boards related to your art style as well as interests your target customers may have.

Example: Say you paint and sell acrylic landscape paintings.

You should create boards dedicated to painting like Landscape Painting Tutorials and Acrylic Painting Techniques for example.
You also want to think about who buys landscape paintings so you could create boards like Beach House Decor, Art for the Office, Art for the Cabin etc.

If you sell your art through print on demand websites you may also want to create boards related to the products you sell like Women’s Fashion, Boho Home Decor, Cute Animal Mugs or Floral Cell Phone Cases.

Use Nifty Toolz Speed Sharer to fill up your boards

This is a handy tool created by a fellow Print on Demand artist and seller which you can use to fill up your Pinterest boards quickly and easily, while taking advantage of Society6 and Zazzle’s affiliate programs.

You can pin your own products or other people’s products and potentially get a commission if they sell.

Zazzle speed sharer
Society6 speed sharer

Spend a few minutes each day Pinning

Pin from around the web as well as from your own websites and curated Pinterest feed. Don’t just pin your own stuff, strive to have a good mix of your own and other’s pins.

As your profile grows you will start to see some traffic coming in through Pinterest if you have analytics on your site. It may take some time, but after a few months you will see it can be worth it to use Pinterest to promote your art and products for sale.

Looking for more tips on how to sell your art online? Check out my definitive guide – a round up with all of my blog posts on this topic!

I hope you found this post useful, let me know if you have any other tips for using Pinterest to promote your art!

Feel free to follow me on Pinterest so we can re-pin each other :)

Cheers,

How to Sell Your Art Online – The Definitive Guide

how to sell you art online definitive guide

~ Julie ~ 10 Comments

how to sell your art online - definitive guide

Are you an artist wanting to learn how to sell your art online? You’ve come to the right place! I’ve been selling art online for over 6 years now and have written many blog posts on the topic, sharing what I’ve learned along the way.

Today I’ve created this definitive guide to round up many of those posts in a new, and hopefully helpful way.

If you want to get a crash course on how to sell your art online, don’t miss my Skillshare class: From Design to Product: Sell Your Art Online Through Print on Demand

Otherwise, read on to learn more about how to sell your art online.

Getting Started

To get started selling your art online you’ll need to have a collection of designs to start off with, decide on a platform for selling your art, and optimize your artwork for the web.

Then, you’ll need to upload your art or list your products on the platform you’ve chosen. Finally, you’ll need to market those products to your customers.

To dive deeper into some of these topics, check out the following posts:

Where to Sell Your Art Online

The website you choose to sell your art online will depend on factors like your artistic medium, and what you want to sell. If you want to sell original paintings or screen printed t-shirts you could try Etsy.

On the other hand, if you don’t want to carry an inventory or ship physical goods yourself, then a Print on Demand marketplace like Society6 might be better for you.

If you want to sell your art through your own website (best if you already have a large following), then you might consider Printful, which integrates with e-commerce platforms on your own site.

There are a lot of different options which I’ve discussed in depth in other posts on this site, which are listed below.

How to Market Your Art Online

Marketing your art can mean handing out business cards to your network, sharing on social media or even blogging. You can try all of these, or just focus on a few like sharing on Instagram and Pinterest.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Julie Erin Designs (@julieerindesigns) on May 18, 2020 at 10:50am PDT

One thing I recommend is having consistent branding across all of your stores and social media channels. This includes having the same or similar headers, logo and profile photo. These can be changed and improved over time so just start with something simple and go from there.

I have several in depth posts about the different marketing platforms I’ve experimented with. You should do your own experimenting, or take some marketing courses (many are free!) if it is not your strong suit.

Running an Art Business

If you want to make money from your art then you need to think about it as your business.

You may already have a career or full time job, but that doesn’t mean you can’t also be an artist or business owner. Thinking about it this way can really help you reach your goals in the long run.

As with any business there are risks and responsibilities, like paying taxes! It’s best practice to keep a log sheet in Google Sheets or Excel to track your business expenses and income. This will help you determine where your money is going, and where it is coming from.

Most large businesses have an accountant, a marketing person, a CEO, and other roles. As a small business owner, you are all of these. As a result, there is a lot to learn, but you should strive to continue learning and filling in your knowledge gaps.

Below are some posts I’ve written on topics related to the business side of things:

Resources

Now that you have a handle on how to sell your art online, you may be wondering what the quality of the products are like. And how to optimize your shops to increase sales.

Below are some posts including product reviews, conducting keyword research, and other things you can do to improve your stores and reach.

Find even more resources in the Artist Resources section of my website!

My Print on Demand Stores

Below are links to my different print on demand storefronts. I’ve also got a shop on my own website you can take a look at for inspiration.

I hope this guide will be useful for all of you artists out there who are trying to make some extra money by selling your art online through Print on Demand websites.

Be sure to subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss any new posts, and bookmark this guide so you can come back to it whenever new information is added.

If you want a more in depth crash course, don’t miss my Skillshare class: From Design to Product: Sell Your Art Online Through Print on Demand.

You can watch the intro below:

Let’s do this!

Cheers,

How to Grow Your Instagram Art Account

~ Julie ~ 16 Comments

Hey guys! Today I’d like to share with you some tips for growing your art account on Instagram.

If you’re an artist and not using Instagram, get on it! I find it’s better than Facebook or Twitter for artists because it’s more visual based.

In fact, many artists today use Instagram as their art portfolio instead of having a website. While I don’t recommend that, as having your own space on the internet is always best practice, it can be a great place to connect with fans and other artists.

Keep in mind that no one really knows how the algorithm works except the folks who work at Instagram. People will tell you to do this or that or don’t do this or that, but they really don’t know either, so take it with a grain of salt.

These tips are just things that have worked for me personally, and are not guaranteed to work for you. Don’t focus too much on your follower count. Being authentic, focusing on creating quality content, and engaging meaningfully with your fans and followers should be your main focus.

Tips for growing your Instagram art account

Find your niche: what kind of art do you want to share with the world? Whether it’s painting, sketches, or digital art, make sure your content is focused and consistent.
Post high-quality photos. Make sure your photos are clear and of high quality. People are more likely to follow an account that posts beautiful photos.
Post daily, if not to your feed at least to stories.
Create fun and interactive stories using polls, stickers etc.
Respond to comments on your posts.
Respond to other people‘s stories.
Use relevant hashtags when you post. Use a mix of broad and smaller hashtags with less than 1 million posts. For example, use #art and #artistsoninstagram, but also use smaller hashtags that are relevant to your specific style of art or the subject of your post.
Switch up hashtags from post to post, don’t use the same ones every time.
Experiment with posting at different times of the day.
Experiment with Reels.
Add a location to your posts. It could be the location you actually are, or a different location depending on the post subject or target audience.
Create content that isn’t pushing people to buy anything, but simply showing your work or offering something of value to your followers.

brunette girl selfie pink mandala design — Selfies with or wearing your designs get a lot of engagement.

Post selfies. Even as an artist, selfies get high engagement on Instagram. Take photos of yourself holding your art or wearing and using your products if you sell through print on demand.
Engage daily by liking and commenting on posts in your home feed.
Follow hashtags that are relevant to your niche or art style and they will show up on your home feed.
Check out the top posts and use them for inspiration, but don’t copy.
Every day, if you can, go through a few hashtags relevant to your work or style and like/comment/follow accounts using that hashtag.
Add Alt Text to your posts.
Tell a story. Your captions should be more than just a description of the photo. Tell a story about your art, or share your creative process with your followers.

That’s it! I hope you’ve found some helpful tips here. If you have more to add feel free to leave them in the comments below. You can also check out my artist resources page for even more tips!

Oh and make sure you follow me on Instagram!

Cheers,

You may also find the following posts helpful:

How to Fill Out the W-8BEN Tax Form for Print on Demand Royalties

print on demand tax forms and information

~ Julie ~ 7 Comments

Ah, tax forms. They’re one of those tedious administrative tasks that we simply can’t avoid when it comes to selling artwork online through Print on Demand websites. If you’re using a U.S.-based Print on Demand company like Zazzle, you’ll likely need to fill out and submit a W-8BEN tax form to ensure your payments are processed correctly.

**This post was updated to reflect the most current information available in July 2023.

Let’s dive in and explore the importance of the W-8BEN tax form specifically for royalties on Print on Demand platforms.

Now, this form can be quite confusing, and here’s the kicker: if you fail to submit it or fill it out properly, you might find yourself facing a hefty 30% withholding tax on your royalties. Ouch!

Fortunately, there’s good news for individuals residing in countries that have an income tax treaty with the U.S., like Canada. You may be exempt from paying this hefty withholding tax or, in some cases, eligible for a reduced withholding tax rate. To determine the specific withholding amounts based on your country, refer to the comprehensive list available on the IRS website.

To get started on your tax journey, head over to the IRS website and download the W-8BEN tax form. Now, filling out this form correctly is crucial to ensure your royalties are processed smoothly. Here’s an example of how to complete the form as a Canadian artist.

w8-ben royalties for print on demand websites canada

Let’s go over a few key points to remember:

The Foreign Tax identifying number (Box 6a) is equivalent to a U.S. Social Security Number and serves as your personal identification number for tax purposes in your country.
To find the correct Article and Paragraph number you will need to consult the tax document for your Country, which is provided on the IRS website.
The ____% rate of withholding (Line 10) will vary based on the withholding tax rate of your resident country. Remember to consult the same list provided on the IRS website for the specific rate applicable to you.

In conclusion, dealing with tax forms may be a bit of a hassle, but when it comes to selling your art and earning royalties through Print on Demand websites, it’s crucial to understand and comply with the W-8BEN tax form requirements.

By properly filling out this form and ensuring your eligibility for tax treaty benefits, you can avoid unnecessary withholding taxes and receive your hard-earned royalties in full.

I hope this guide has shed some light on the importance of the W-8BEN tax form for royalty payments on Print on Demand platforms. If you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to leave a comment below.

Cheers to a successful and tax-compliant art-selling journey!

Looking for more information about selling your art through Print on Demand sites? Check out the resources section of my website.

Also check out these posts:

15 Tips to Increase Your Sales on Print on Demand Websites

~ Julie ~ 11 Comments

how to increase sales on print on demand websites 15 tips

Are you looking for ways to increase your print on demand sales? If so, you’re in the right place! In this article, I’ll be sharing with you 15 tips to will help you maximize your print on demand sales, whether you sell through your own website or a marketplace like Redbubble or Etsy.

If you’re just getting started, you may want to check out these posts first:

There are a few things you can do to maximize your print on demand (POD) sales. POD is a great way to get your work out there, and it can be a great supplemental income stream. But like with anything, there are ways to optimize your POD sales and make the most out of this opportunity. By following these tips, you can give yourself a better chance at success.

photo of a woman thinking about how to increase print on demand sales

Tips to Increase your Sales on Print on Demand Websites

Try to complete at least one task per day related to your print on demand business. For example: post one tweet, one Instagram post, create one new design, one update to your website etc. If you can do more than one task that’s great, but even just one thing a day will help your business grow over time.
Connect with other artists on social media (Facebook groups for example) or forums where available (Zazzle). Ask for feedback from them if you feel comfortable doing so!
Upload as much high quality work as possible. The more designs you have, the more chances you have of making a sale.
Research the latest trends and use them as inspiration to create new designs in your own style. You can use Pinterest or check the top selling designs on your chosen POD platform.
Update your social media pages, even just one or two and focus on them. Instagram and Twitter great for artists. On Facebook it’s challenging to get likes on your page, but it could get your real life friends interested. Try using new tools like Facebook or Instagram stories, or even Snapchat if you are adventurous.
Post new designs and products consistently. Try to stay somewhat active and consistent in all of your POD shops (uploading new work, commenting/following etc.) I’ve definitely noticed an increase in sales/activity when I’m active. If you have too many stores to stay active, maybe pare it down to the few that you have been most successful on.
Don’t stretch yourself too thin. Going off the point above, if you have too many stores you might feel overwhelmed or too lazy to upload work to all of them, so I suggest deleting those ones you don’t like or don’t have much success with.
Research your target audience and find out what they like to see and buy on products.
Make new colorways of popular designs that are well received. Different colour variations of a popular design or rework an element of that piece so it can have more mass appeal.
Have a website or blog external to your social media, like this one! It helps with your visibility and to show up in Google searches.
Tell your family, friends and coworkers about your stores and they might support you! You could even gift them stuff from your own stores for Christmas and birthdays etc. to get them excited about your work.
Go back through your old designs and either delete ones that aren’t working for your brand or update titles, keywords, descriptions, etc.
Use keyword-rich titles and descriptions (SEO). When buyers are searching for products on a print on demand marketplace, they will often use keywords to find what they are looking for. Make sure that your product descriptions include relevant keywords that buyers are likely to use, in order to increase the chances of your products being found.
Always keep learning. There are lots of great sources online for marketing your brand or honing and learning new skills. Check out Skillshare for some free or paid courses in marketing, design and many other skills.
Subscribe to my blog! I’m always posting new content on selling your art on POD websites so make sure you don’t miss out.

By following the tips above, you can make the most of your print on demand stores and ensure that your products are selling as well as they can. With a little bit of effort and some creativity, you can take your print on demand business to the next level and make it a success.

Thanks for reading and I hope you’ve found this blog post helpful. Let me know if you have any other tips to add in the comments below! Also check out the resources section of my website for even more print on demand tips.

Cheers,

Check out these other posts for more information on selling your art on POD websites:

Social Media Marketing Tips For Artists

~ Julie ~ 8 Comments

Are you an artist trying to figure out how to market yourself on social media? I was too, just a few years ago! In this post I’m sharing some of my top social media tips for artists.

Please note: I’m not an expert on this matter, but I have managed to triple my stats on a few key social networks over the past year, and slowly but surely grown my online presence since creating the Julie Erin Designs brand.

As you may also do, I work a full time job and have many other life commitments outside of my art business, so I can only dedicate a few hours per week to creating and marketing my designs on social media.

This leads me into my first tip which is:

Dedicate just 5-10 minutes a day to social media

Start by taking on just one task per day on one of your social accounts.
Some examples include: Tweet an image of your latest work (don’t forget to include relevant hashtags). Like and/or follow some new users on Instagram.
Don’t get overwhelmed. You should be able to do this during your coffee or lunch break, on the way home from work on the bus, after dinner, or whenever you have an idle moment.

Focus on a few key social media platforms

Try out different platforms but then hone it down to just a few, and then focus on content and growing your followers there. My top 3 at the moment are Tiktok, Instagram and Facebook. I dabble on others but I get the most engagement for my time on those 3.

Set up a social media calendar

Don’t overwhelm yourself with an over-loaded calendar. Start with just one task per day that can be completed within a few minutes.
Create a visual calendar using your computer, a planner, or you can find lots of downloadable worksheets online. I also have a Notion template with a social media calendar included.
Do what works for you and your schedule.
Learn the etiquette for your chosen social media app. On Twitter you can share multiple times per day, but on Facebook you may only want to share something every few days.

Posting schedule example: Example: Monday: Tweet about your latest design, tweet 2 sold items. Tuesday: Share a new design on Instagram. Wednesday: Blog post about new design, and post to Facebook page. Friday: Tweet new blog post

Start a blog

Use it to showcase your art work, items for sale, share art tips, supplies you use, your sketchbook, whatever you can think of. You can even sell your art directly through your website.
Connect with other art bloggers. Follow/like/comment on their posts.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to link to your blog from your social media profiles.

Use apps to make your life easier

Scheduling apps: Buffer or Hootsuite. Use one of these apps (or something similar) to schedule a few posts to your social media accounts for the day. This could even be your one task of the day, if that’s all you have time for.
Follower tracking apps: Crowdfire or similar apps which help you track followers and unfollowers. You can also search for people who follow similar accounts and then like/follow them.
Photo editing apps such as Canva and Photogrid. There are several out there, so find one that you like. Use it to create and edit images of your designs and products right on your phone. While you could also just make these images in Photoshop on your PC, being able to make promo images on the go makes it so much easier to get it done when you have a spare moment.

social media tips for artists — Instagram post example created with the Photogrid app.

Keep a list of content ideas

Keep a list on your phone or somewhere else, so you never run out of ideas for fresh content!
Examples: Sold items, new designs, WIP’s and sketchbook shots.
Check out my list of over 25 Instagram post ideas for artists.

Make use of hashtags and SEO (search engine optimization)

Use relevant hashtags so that people can find your work.
Don’t overdo it. Figure out what works on which platforms.
Monitor those hashtags and like/follow others who are posting to that hashtag.
Add key words in your description and add alt tags to your posts when possible.

Make use of tagging

Sometimes, when appropriate, you may want to actually tag another user (such as Zazzle or Redbubble for example) on Twitter or Instagram, if you are showcasing their product. You may get lucky and they might even re-tweet or feature your product!
Go through their tagged feeds to find similar users to like and follow.

Engage with similar users

Connect with other bloggers, and other artists on your chosen social media platforms.

I sell my art work on POD websites such as Zazzle, Redbubble and Society6, so I try to engage with others who sell on those sites as well. I do this by either liking their work directly on those sites, on social media, through forums or Facebook groups.

To learn more about selling your art through print on demand websites, check out my Skillshare class!

Post to shopping websites

If this is appropriate to your style of art work, you may consider posting your products on shopping websites such as Pinterest and Wanelo.

Additional Resources

If you have the opportunity to do so, it can be really helpful to take a social media marketing course at your local college or university. Or even online. I took a short course which was very informative and turned me on to some new apps and strategies. Think of it as an investment in your business.

Also check out the Artist Resources section of my website and blog for even more social media tips for artists.

You may also enjoy these posts

I hope you have found some useful information here about social media for artists!

Feel free to share some of your own social media marketing tips below.

Cheers,