What is the best way to promote a portrait drawing business besides a website?
My husband is an excellent artist, but business is slow. He has decent prices on his art. Could it be that he doesn’t charge outrageous prices so no one is taking him seriously?
www.darrensdrawings.com
Thanks for the great advice! He is working with someone to update his website and it is almost complete. I will let him read the comments and put them to good use!
Tagged with: decent prices • outrageous prices
Filed under: Website Business
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Portrait drawing is kind of an in-person business. I would suggest setting up a booth at a local art fair. He should sketch while he is displaying samples of his work, and have lots of business cards available. He might not make a lot of money at the show, but if his work is well done he should get follow up calls.
I just looked at his website, and I don’t mean to be rude but it needs some work. There are no samples of what he can do! That’s so important! oh, wait, I finally found them. But for a website to be effective, the viewer shouldn’t have to search for what you want to sell them. I only searched further as I am answering this question; as a regular shopper I would have gone right on to the next website. The website needs to be set up a bit more professionally, also, for people to take him seriously. An artistic person should have a really unique website, I think.
His work is excellent, by the way! He is very talented! But have him draw YOUR portrait, and post that on the start page of his website. Or your kids, or your dog. People LOVE to get portraits of their dogs!!
That initial drawing should draw people into the website, wanting to see more of his work and how skilled of an artist he is.
I hope his helps, it’s not meant to critcize, but to give some suggestions for improvement!
Sit in the park and draw… people will want to see what he is drawing… he can ask people if they are interested in a drawing. Also go to community events to perform drawings.
Hi. I am a portrait drawing artist also. I have sold a fair amount of stuff in the last year, but not enough to make a good living yet. Your theory that he is charging too little is definitely not true, unless it is less than 5 dollars. People generally want a bargain with anything, including art. The only exception are rich art collectors who buy famous art prints and originals for $500 dollars and up. Since he is not famous and self-taught he will sell more if he charges very affordable prices. Beyond that it is just a matter of how many people you can reach with your advertising. The biggest selling point will be examples of actual artworks. Hope that helps.
Put up fliers on Church bulletin boards.It’s practically free with the exception of the printing cost.You might also try advertising on Craigslist it’s free to post things for sale there, I would put a listing under different categories like baby&kids, boats, bikes etc.People may not know they want a drawing of such items until they stumble accross an add and think how neat it would be.Good luck!
I have worked as an illustrator for many years. when work got slow due to the take over of the computer for most jobs, I started to do portait work. I went to all the starbucks in the area and many of them showcased local artist, often there is a waiting list but just talk to the manager and try to get in. I would look around for any other coffee shops or just any place that will be willing to show his work. Tell them it is free for them and it is an easy way for them to have decor.
Best of luck.