How to Sell Art From a Home Studio

If you want to sell your work from a home studio, you need a well-researched plan. Selling on your own, without the help of an agent, gallery or well-known website behind you, may prove to be a challenge. This is true whether you live in a large city, where the competition is fierce, or in a small town, where you don't have enough potential customers to balance out the sales.

Things You'll Need

• Organizational system
• Computer with financial and design software
• Table and chairs
• Portfolio
• High-end printer
• Promotional plan

Instructions

1. Set up your home studio in a way that is conducive to both creativity and business. Having a basic organizational system will allow you to be more effective, and it will also create a good impression on those visiting your studio to buy art.

2. Get a computer that holds financial software to keep track of expenses and income for tax purposes and some kind of design program, such as Photoshop. You will also need a small table and chairs, so you can have a comfortable place to sit and deal with buyers.

3. Create a portfolio to showcase the work you want to sell. This can be done virtually (through your own website) or in print (by photographing or scanning your work). For print portfolios, you need a printer that is professional quality, so you can reproduce your work in a way that showcases it best.

4. Create a promotional plan that helps you get the word out about your work. When you sell art from a home studio, one of the challenges you'll face is convincing buyers to come over to see the items. Once you attract potential customers to your workspace, it becomes easier to close the sale. Distributing business cards, advertising in art magazines and associating with other artists are all good ways to spread the word about your new shop.

5. Set up a system that allows you to locate different works quickly and easily. If you have works of different sizes and materials, you can divide them in several groups. Alternatively, organize the work by topic. No matter what system you choose, make sure it is easy enough to remember so that you will not have problems finding the items in the future.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider renting a small office or studio if you don't have a separate room in your own home. Selling art from your kitchen doesn't have a professional feel and may lead customers to believe you are not a professional artist. This, in turn, may lower the amount they are willing to pay for your work.