Are you looking to take your image editing skills to the next level? Then look no further than this tutorial on how to remove backgrounds in Photoshop!
In this video tutorial I take you step by step through the process of removing backgrounds from images using the selection and lasso tools.
I demonstrate how to do this with a both a simple image of a laptop, and a more complex image featuring a person in the foreground.
You can use these skills to edit your photographs, or create designs with transparent backgrounds to use for stickers, t-shirts and other print on demand products with Photoshop!
How to Remove Backgrounds in Photoshop with Lasso Tools
Open your image in Photoshop and double-click the background layer to unlock it.
Use the Eraser tool to erase out major parts of the background, without getting too close to your subject.
Select the appropriate lasso tool for your image, such as the Lasso Tool, Polygonal Lasso Tool, or Magnetic Lasso Tool.
Begin by making a rough selection around the object or subject you want to keep. For straight edges, use the Polygonal Lasso Tool. For irregular shapes, use the Lasso Tool or Magnetic Lasso Tool.
Continue tracing the outline of the object, and close the selection by connecting the endpoint with the starting point.
If needed, use the Add to Selection or Subtract from Selection options to refine the selection (Can also use + or –).
Hide or delete the original background layer (if there is one remaining) to see the transparency.
Use the Eraser Tool or Layer Mask to further refine the edges of the object if necessary.
Create a new layer below, and fill it with a solid color to check for any stray pixels.
Save your image in a format that supports transparency, like .PNG.
With practice and experimentation, you’ll become more proficient in using lasso and selection tools to remove backgrounds in Photoshop.
In conclusion, removing backgrounds in Photoshop using the lasso tools is a powerful technique that allows you to isolate objects and create images and graphics with transparent backgrounds. With the flexibility and precision of the lasso tools, you can achieve clean and professional results.
Remember to practice and experiment with different selection tools to find the one that works best for your specific image. So go ahead and give it a try in your next project!
In this blog post, we’ll explore various ways to leverage AI tools to enhance your art business. However, we will not be discussing the topic of creating and selling AI art, which is a separate subject altogether. If you’re curious about using AI to boost your art business, spark your creativity, and increase your productivity, then keep reading!
AI has been a hot topic in the art world lately, and for good reason. But it’s not going away anytime soon, so why not embrace it? By using AI as an assistant for your art business, you can supercharge your productivity and take your business to the next level. With a bit of creativity, there are numerous ways you can use AI to your advantage.
What is AI?
Artificial Intelligence, or AI for short, is a branch of computer science that focuses on the development of intelligent machines that can perform tasks which traditionally required human intelligence, such as answering questions, conducting research, and problem-solving.
Recently, AI has become increasingly prevalent in various fields, including the arts, and has opened up new opportunities for creative business owners. Through machine learning and other AI-powered tools, artists can now generate personalized content, analyse data, and conduct market research with greater ease and efficiency. AI can be used in a number of different ways in your art business, from automating simple tasks to helping you out of a creative rut.
How can you use AI in your art business?
There are many ways to use AI to boost your art business. Here are some examples:
Writing a business plan
Creating a business plan is essential to the success of any business, including an art business. By using AI you can create a comprehensive business plan that outlines your goals, objectives, and strategies for success. Feed the AI as much data as you can about your business and ask it to create a business plan for you. You can then tweak and revise it as needed and go from there.
Conducting market research
To grow your art business, you need to understand your target market. AI can help you conduct market research to identify your target audience and their preferences. With AI-powered tools, you can analyse data on your customers’ demographics, interests, and behaviours to gain insights into what they may want. By understanding your target market, you can tailor your artwork and marketing messages to better meet their needs and preferences.
Generating ideas for new artwork
One of the biggest challenges for artists is coming up with new and innovative ideas for artwork. AI can help generate new ideas for artwork that will appeal to your target market. These tools use algorithms to analyse data on your target audience’s preferences and suggest customized artwork that is tailored to their interests. By using AI to generate ideas for new artwork, you can save time while creating pieces that resonate with your audience.
Writing marketing copy
Marketing is crucial for any art business. However, writing effective marketing copy can be challenging. With AI tools, you can create compelling social media posts, blogs, and product descriptions that resonate with your target audience.
When it comes to using AI for your art business, the output is only as good as the input. To learn more about how to use AI properly, and structure your prompts to get the best results possible, I highly recommend this Skillshare class: Chat GPT for Creatives by Peggy Dean
Using AI to improve your own artwork
One of the great things about AI-powered tools like CF Spark is that it can be used to generate new and unique artwork. Consider this: instead of looking at other artist’s work for inspiration, use AI instead! These tools are also great for getting out of a creative rut and help you find inspiration even when you’re feeling stuck. So, don’t be afraid to use AI to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of your own creativity.
AI can also help you with things like art market research and identifying trends. This information can be incredibly valuable for artists who want to create pieces that are more likely to sell, as it can help them understand what their target audience is looking for and what kinds of pieces are likely to be most successful in the current market. By using AI to stay on top of trends and market demands, artists can ensure that their work remains relevant and appealing to buyers, and can maximize their chances of success in the competitive world of art sales.
AI Tools for Your Art Business
Ready to get started using AI for your art business? Below is a list of some awesome AI tools that can help streamline your workflow, gather market insights, and even generate new artwork ideas. Of course, there are plenty of other AI tools out there too – new ones are popping up all the time! But these are a great place to start.
Chat GPT – a language model which can be used for generating ideas, writing content, and answering questions.
CF Spark – generate new and unique artworks to inspire your own work.
Notion AI – to streamline your workflow and help you with writing.
Canva AI – uses AI to suggest design layouts and color schemes for social media and marketing graphics.
Adobe Sensei – Provides AI-powered features in Adobe Creative Cloud
Considerations When Using AI for Your Art Business
There’s no one answer for how to incorporate AI into your art business. It’s going to vary depending on what you’re selling, who your audience is, and your art business goals. But, there are some general guidelines you can follow to make sure you’re using AI in a way that aligns with your business and values.
Supplement, don’t replace, human interaction. Your art business is built on human relationships. Whether you’re selling to collectors or working with galleries, you need to be able to build and maintain personal relationships. Use AI to supplement your relationships, not replace them.
Automate tasks, but don’t allow it to make decisionsfor you. AI can be a great tool for automating tasks like customer follow-up or marketing emails. But it’s important to remember that AI can’t make decisions for you. When it comes to important decisions like pricing or what art to sell, you need to rely on your own judgment.
Use AI to enhance your artwork, not replace it. AI has the potential to be a powerful tool for artists, but it’s important to remember that it should be used to enhance your artwork, not replace it. While AI can help generate new ideas, identify trends, and speed up certain processes, it can’t replicate the unique creativity and vision of a human artist.
Keep an eye on the future. AI is always changing, and new tools and applications are being developed all the time. It’s important to keep an eye on the future and be prepared to adopt new AI tools as they become available. This will help you stay ahead of the competition and make sure you’re using the best AI tools for your business.
Conclusion
AI can be a powerful tool for artists and art businesses, but it is important to use it wisely. With AI, you can manage your marketing, track trends, find inspiration for new artwork, and conduct market research. But you need to be careful not to over automate or you could lose the human touch that makes your business special. The possibilities are endless, and with a bit of creativity, you can take your art business to the next level with AI tools.
What are your thoughts on AI and using it for your art business? Let me know in the comments below!
If you’re an artist, there’s a good chance that you’ve thought about turning your passion into a business. After all, what could be better than getting paid to do something you love? While there are no hard and fast rules for becoming a successful artist-entrepreneur, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of achieving your art business goals in 2024 and beyond.
Start with a well-defined goal. This may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. Without a clear and specific goal, it will be difficult to measure progress and know when you’ve reached your destination.
Create a plan. Once you know what your goal is, it’s time to put together a plan of action. What steps will you need to take to achieve your goal? What resources will you need? Who can help you along the way?
Be prepared to work hard. Achieving any goal takes dedication and hard work. This is especially true of art business goals, which often require long hours and lots of hustle.
Stay focused and stay positive. It’s easy to get sidetracked or discouraged when pursuing any goal. But if you want to succeed, it’s important to stay focused on your goal and remain positive even when the going gets tough. With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your art business goals.
Create a plan
The first and most important step is to create a plan. What do you want your business to achieve? What are your long-term and short-term goals? Do you have specific revenue goals? Who is your target market? Answering these questions will help you focus your efforts and make it more likely that you’ll achieve your goals.
Once you have a plan, the next step is to put it into action. This means creating a marketing strategy, developing a website or online portfolio, and actively promoting your work. You might also consider exhibiting your work at art fairs or galleries, or selling your work online.
Of course, running a successful business takes more than just marketing and selling your work–it also requires maintaining a high level of quality and consistently creating new and exciting work that your customers will love. But if you’re passionate about your art and willing to put in the hard work, there’s no reason why you can’t achieve your business goals.
Put your plan into action
Now that you have figured out your art business goals, it’s time to put your plan into action! Here are a few tips to get you started:
Set a scheduleand stick to it. Having a set schedule will help you stay on track and ensure that you’re making progress towards your goals.
Set realistic goals. If your goals are too unrealistic, you’re likely to get frustrated and give up. Make sure your goals are achievable and within reach.
Get organized. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you’re using your time efficiently. Create a system that works for you and stick to it.
Take action. Don’t wait around for things to happen, make them happen! Get out there and start working towards your goals.
Persevere. Things will inevitably get tough at times, but it’s important to persevere. Don’t give up on your goals, and you’ll eventually achieve them.
Measure progress
If you want to achieve your art business goals, then you need to be able to measure your progress. There are a few key ways to do this:
Keep track of your finances. This includes both your income and your expenses. Knowing where your money is coming from and where it’s going will give you an idea of what’s not working and where to double down your efforts.
Set milestones. Milestones can help you track your progress over time and see how far you’ve come. They can also give you something to strive for and keep you motivated.
Get feedback. Ask your friends, family, and even strangers for their honest opinions on your art. This feedback can help you see what’s working and what isn’t, and make necessary adjustments to your business plan.
By tracking your progress, you can stay on track to reach your art business goals.
Get organized
One of the most important things you can do to set yourself up for success in your art business is to get organized. This means having a system in place for tracking your inventory, expenses, sales, and other important business data. It also means staying on top of your marketing and social media efforts.
One way to get organized is to use a spreadsheet to track your inventory, sales, expenses, and other business data. This can help you spot trends and make informed decisions about your art business.
Another way to get organized is to use a customer relationship management (CRM) system to track your marketing and social media efforts. This can help you stay on top of your customer relationships and ensure that you’re providing the best possible experience.
Make sure to check out my Art Business Toolkit which is a template I developed for Notion to help you get organized, set goals for your business, keep track of finances, create a marketing plan and more. Check it out at the link below!
Whatever system you use, the key is to make sure that you’re consistent in using it. This will help you get the most out of your data and make better decisions for your art business.
Delegate and seek help
One of the most important things you can do to ensure the success of your art business is to delegate tasks and seek help when needed. Trying to do everything yourself can lead to burnout and ultimately, a failed business.
When delegating tasks, it’s important to give clear instructions and deadlines, and then trust that the person you’ve delegated to will complete the task to your standards. It can be difficult to let go of control, but if you want your business to grow, you may need to delegate.
It’s also important to seek help when needed, whether that’s hiring an accountant to help with your finances, or asking a friend for advice on social media marketing. No one knows everything, and there’s no shame in admitting that you need help. By delegating tasks and seeking help when needed, you’re setting your art business up for success.
Also consider using automation tools or systems that can help you to more efficiently perform repetitive tasks.
Stay motivated
As an artist, it can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and lose sight of your long-term goals. Here are a few tips to help you stay motivated and on track to achieving your art business goals:
Set realistic goals. It’s important to set goals that are achievable. If your goal is to sell 100 paintings in a year, but you only sell an average of one painting per month, that goal is going to be very difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. On the other hand, if you set a goal of selling one painting per week, that’s a much more achievable goal.
Create a plan. Once you have your goals set, it’s time to create a plan of action. This plan should include things like what type of artwork you’re going to create, how you’re going to market and sell your artwork, and how you’re going to keep track of your progress. Having a plan will help to keep you organized and on track.
Take action. No matter how good your goals and plans are, they won’t do any good if you don’t take action. Make a commitment to yourself to work on your art business every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. The more action you take, the closer you’ll get to achieving your goals.
Get help. If you’re feeling stuck or like you’re not making progress, reach out for help. There are a number of resources available, whether it’s hiring a business coach or taking an art business course. Getting help from someone who knows what they’re doing can make a huge difference.
Stay positive. It’s easy to get discouraged, especially when you’re not seeing the results you want. But it’s important to stay positive and believe in yourself. Remember, it takes time and consistent effort to build a successful art business. Stay focused on your goals and don’t give up.
Reward yourself. As you achieve your goals, be sure to celebrate your successes. This will help to keep you motivated and focused. Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Celebrate milestones
You’ve set your sights on some lofty art business goals and you’re ready to achieve them. But how do you keep motivated throughout the journey? How do you ensure that you don’t get bogged down in the day-to-day and lose sight of the bigger picture?
One way to stay on track is to celebrate your milestones. When you reach a goal, big or small, take some time to reflect on your accomplishment. This will not only help you maintain your momentum, but it will also give you a much-needed confidence boost. Here are a few tips for celebrating your milestones:
Set aside time to reflect on your achievements. Take some time, even if it’s just 10 minutes, to really think about what you’ve accomplished. What did you have to overcome to get to this point? What did you learn along the way? How does this new accomplishment make you feel?
Share your successes with others. Telling others about your accomplishments can help you to solidify them in your own mind. It can also be a great way to get some much-needed positive feedback. So, don’t be shy about sharing your news, whether it’s with your inner circle or a wider audience.
Treat yourself to something special. After all your hard work, you deserve a little reward. Whether it’s a night out, some new art supplies, or simply some extra time to relax, take some time to enjoy your success.
Use your achievements as motivation for the future. When you look back on your accomplishments, it can be easy to get complacent. But instead of letting your successes lull you into a false sense of security, use them as motivation to keep pushing forward. Remember, you’re capable of great things and you have what it takes to reach your goals.
Keep a record of your milestones. One way to keep track of your successes is to maintain a record of them, whether it’s in a physical journal or an online document. This can be a great way to look back on your progress and see how far you’ve come.
Set new goals. Once you’ve celebrated your current accomplishments, it’s time to set your sights on new goals. What do you want to achieve next? What’s your next big challenge? By continually setting and achieving goals, you’ll keep your art business journey interesting and rewarding.
Celebrate often. Don’t wait until you’ve reached your ultimate goal to start celebrating. Instead, take the time to appreciate your successes along the way. By celebrating often, you’ll stay motivated and inspired to keep reaching for your goals.
Conclusion
Setting and achieving your art business goals is a lot of work but also highly rewarding. If you can create a plan, work hard, and stay motivated, you can build something that is all your own and that you can continue to build for years to come.
I recently created this fun and easy pattern design tutorial in which I teach you how to make an ogee and an argyle pattern with the Procreate app for Apple iPad.
In this tutorial I take you step by step through the process of making these 2 easy seamless pattern designs, an ogee and argyle pattern, right on your iPad in Procreate. Watch the video below!
I’ve also got a video for Procreate newbies which includes several tips and tricks to help you get started with the app.
I’ve been kind of obsessed with creating designs and patterns in Procreate over the past year. So I’ll likely be creating more tutorials and videos on this topic in the near future.
Let me know in the comments below if this is something you’re interested in, or if there’s something else you’d like me to cover!
Thanks for stopping by, have a great rest of your day.
Do you want to start selling your print on demand products through social media? In this post I’m going to explain how you can sell your print on demand products, from multiple stores, on your Facebook page.
You can include products from multiple print on demand sites like Redbubble, Society6, Zazzle and more!
The first step to being able to sell print on demand products on Facebook is to have a Facebook Page set up for your business. You’ll also need to have it set as a Business or Creator account.
If you don’t have a Facebook page for your business yet, you can also set it up at the same time as you are creating your shop.
Your page will have to meet their eligibility requirements including location and other criteria. It also helps if you have your own website domain to use as a primary domain (it does not have to be set up as a store, and you can still direct people to your print on demand links).
If you’re selling Print on Demand products through your own website using Shopify (or a similar service) you can use theirpartner connect option. This is more simple, but today I’m discussing how to add third party print on demand products from websites you don’t own, such as Redbubble or Society6.
Apply for shopping through the Commerce Manager (connected to your Business or Creator Facebook account)
Once you’ve applied and been approved for Shopping (this may take a few days for them to review your eligibility), head back over to the Commerce Manager. Now you can start adding products!
For this to work you will have to add products manually (Under Catalog > Items, then Add Items > Add Multiple Items). This will give you a sort of spreadsheet which you can fill out with an image of your products, link, description, title etc. Fill out as much as you can here, but you don’t have to fill out everything.
Just add a couple of products to get started.
Now obviously this will take time since you may have hundreds or more products across multiple retailers. So I recommend starting by adding a few best sellers from each of your stores. This will drive people to those stores where they can browse the rest of your offerings from there.
After you’ve submitted your products it may take about 30 minutes to an hour for them to process before showing up in your Facebook store.
Tips for Selling Print on Demand Products on Facebook
Be patient, each step in the process takes time.
Familiarize yourself with the Commerce Manager and how it works.
Create “sets” to organize your products by product type.
You can also create collections to showcase on your storefront.
You can only use ONE currency in your store (ex. list everything in USD or your local currency).
Add a few of your best selling designs and products from your different stores.
Add a few products per week, or per month, or whatever you have time for. This can help drive traffic to your shop since they will show up on some people’s feeds.
Don’t add too many products at one time or it will spam people’s feeds and they may unfollow or miss the new items you’ve added.
You can’t tag these products in your photos unfortunately. This only works for products from a domain you own (such as a Shopify store).
Check the Insights section for analytics to see how many people are clicking on your products and visiting your stores!
I hope you’ve found this blog post useful! Make sure to follow my blog for more art business content in the future.
I decided to create some more aesthetic wallpaper for your cell phones! Many of these are also available on Popsockets and Phone Cases in my Amazon store.
Just right click and download them to your phone and then choose Set as Wallpaper (on Android).
The first one has some delicate white butterflies over a pink and blue ombre gradient.
Next we have this chic and modern geometric design with golden lines forming triangles over a light pink background.
Lavender and checker patterns are both super trendy at the moment, so I combined them into this simple but chic wallpaper design.
Alcohol ink is also having a moment right now so I created this modern blue and gold alcohol ink wallpaper entirely digitally. It looks like the real thing!
Keep the summer vibes going all year round with this turquoise blue summer pool water background. I used a photograph I took of an actual swimming pool for this one.
For the last one, I couldn’t leave you without one of my signature mandala designs in rose gold over a white marble texture.
I hope you enjoy your new aesthetic cell phone wallpaper!
Brighten up your virtual Holiday parties with these free festive Zoom meeting backgrounds!
Many Christmas parties are going virtual this year, which is better than nothing and can even be fun! Safely spread some holiday cheer by adding one of these custom festive background to your Zoom or Microsoft Teams meetings.
If you don’t know how to add a custom background here are some links with instructions.
All images were created by me in Microsoft Paint 3D and Pixlr Editor.
Just right click and Save As the images below. They are all 1920x 1080 pixels which is the perfect size.
Free Festive Meeting Backgrounds
I also made some New Year themed background for your virtual New Years Eve parties!
Fun fact: I actually created these for my own office’s virtual Christmas party background, and then decided to do a whole series to share with all of you!
I’d love to know if you use any of these festive meeting backgrounds! Which one is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below.
By now you’ve probably heard of TikTok. It’s an app where you can make short videos along with music, filters and other effects to share with your followers and others using hashtags, similar to Instagram. I’ve been experimenting with growing a following on there so I wanted to share some tips for how artists can use TikTok to expand their audience.
You may think the app is only for teenagers, but now you can find Millennials and even Grandmas amassing huge followings on TikTok, and having a great time doing it.
How to use TikTok for Artists
Create an account and simply observe. Watch videos that come up on your “for you” page. At first there will be a lot of different subjects but as you “like” and interact, the algorithm will begin to show you more videos attuned to your interests.
As an artist, you will want to follow other artists to get inspiration for the kinds of videos you can make on TikTok. You can find them with hashtags or by connecting with people from your other social media channels.
Start experimenting. It takes time to learn how to use the different tools, filters, add music and so on. You can create videos and save them as a draft, then go back and decide which ones to post. Don’t be too concerned with perfection. People like to see “real” and “unfiltered” life on TikTok.
There are some great tutorials on Youtube for how to use the various tools.
Once you’ve figured out how to use the app, check the Discover page for trending hashtags. Many are tied to a particular song or video style. You can work these trends into your videos, like the “wipe it down challenge”. Don’t feel obligated to do this but it might give you some ideas for videos and help you get more views.
ALWAYS attach a song to your video. Use “Trending” songs where possible.
Add a couple of hashtags, but don’t go overboard. If you did a challenge or trend, make sure to include the hashtag for that trend, plus a couple of other relevant ones. 3-4 hashtags per video is enough.
You can download your TikTok videos to your phone to share them other platforms. For example, Pinterest. You can add a link to your TikTok profile, or your website. I’ve seen a huge increase in my Pinterest stats since posting short drawing or painting clips I created in TikTok.
You can also share your videos to Instagram Stories directly from the app, and more recently Instagram Reels! My Instagram followers love to watch my process videos. Instagram Stories can also be shared to your Facebook Stories as well with one click.
Keep in mind, optimal video length is around 15-30 seconds long.
Process videos. Share how you create your art. This could be in real time or time lapse format (I usually create time lapse videos outside of the app , then edit in Tiktok after).
Close ups of yourself creating in real time, again sharing your process.
Finished artwork reveals. Start with your phone on the artwork and slowly pull out until it comes into focus. Or, place multiple art pieces on a table along to music. You can also stand holding one of your art pieces and slowly turn it around to reveal the piece (like my video above).
Real life, behind the scenes. Show yourself and your personality. People love to see who you are and connect with you personally. You could have your artwork in the background and use text on the screen to talk about something like your struggles as an artist, the inspiration behind your art, or even something totally unrelated to your art. It doesn’t have to be all art all the time.
An art spin on trending videos. As mentioned above, use the trends on the Discover page to inspire your own videos, and put an artsy spin on them.
Tutorials. Share your knowledge. Simple drawing or painting videos for beginners. Or a tutorial on how you started selling stickers, or something business related.
Duets and challenges. You can duet with other artists or people who create challenges to increase your audience or try something new!
Hey guys! If you’ve been online pretty much ever, you’ve probably seen a scammer in action. But did you know there are scams that specifically target artists and creatives?
I have personally encountered some of these scams and they can be very difficult to identify. I created this post in order to share them with you so you don’t fall prey to them!
Scammers are always coming up with new ways to take your money or intellectual property, so I’m sure this list will be outdated as soon as it’s published. However, I’ve also provided some tips on how to weed out a scam if you think you’ve encountered one.
How to Identify a Scam
It’s always exciting as an artist when people reach out to you and recognize your talent. Many people and companies prey on this and find ways to disguise their scams as “opportunities” for artists.
Read every e-mail or message thoroughly. If the language and grammar is very poor and sentences don’t make sense, it’s likely not worth your time and could even just be an automated message.
Whenever you are approached by a person or company find out as much as you can about them before proceeding. Google the company, and read reviews about them on websites like Better Business Bureau. Ask friends or other artists if they have experience with this company. If you can’t find anything about them online that’s usually a red flag.
When a company sends you an offer or contract, thoroughly read the fine print because there could be a catch. If you have to spend any of your own money up front, it’s probably a scam.
Always consider what’s in it for them. Why are they interested in you and your art? What do they get out of the partnership? Not to say your art isn’t good, but no one works for free or without motive.
Here are some common scams for Artists to watch out for
Companies reaching out to you for a “media feature” – Don’t waste your time. You will later learn you have to pay upwards of $5000 for this feature that probably doesn’t reach your target audience at all.
People asking to “collaborate” only to get free content from you, such as a photo of yourself using their product. Unless it is a big company which aligns with your brand, don’t give away your content for free.
Someone asking to use your art for their website or logo. Be very wary and do your research before sending them anything. Do not give it to them for free either. At least create some sort of contract saying they cannot re-sell your art and only use it for a specific purpose so you could take legal action if needed.
People asking for free art or products in exchange for a social media shout-out. I strongly encourage you never to give your art away for free. If the person is a legitimate social media influencer they probably would not be approaching you.
Amateur art shows that are paid for by the artists. These art shows sound exciting but you should not be forced to sell tickets or pay to fund the show yourself. Always research the company, read reviews, and consider what they are getting out of it.
So-called “gurus” trying to you sell you expensive courses to “help your business”. Some of them ask for $20,000 or more! Don’t give up your life savings for the same things you can learn online for free.
People asking to buy your artwork, but want to pay through non-traditional payment methods. ONLY accept payment through Paypal, Cards or E-transfer. Do not accept cheques. Never send files or ship art until after you’ve received payment and it’s in your bank account.
Sellers ripping off your designs to sell on websites like Amazon, AliExpress, TeeSpring etc. Google the keywords of your most popular works every few months to see if it shows up on websites that are not your own. Then submit take-down notices.
Have you ever been scammed or encountered an artist-specific scam? Leave your experience below for others to learn from!
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.
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.
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 Pinterestand 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.
