What does it take to sell your art online successfully? Do you need to hire someone else to do it or are there tools and resources out there to empower artists like you to run your business effectively? My guest, Jenni Waldrop has built a successful online business herself and now works to help others do the same. In our conversation, Jenni opens up about how she got started, lessons she has learned along the way, what you need to do to start building an online store, and a whole lot more. If you are looking for a way to cut through all the complicated and confusing barriers to building your online business, this is the episode for you!
Leveraging online platforms can help you succeed.
Let’s face it, building something from scratch is difficult. While you probably aren’t afraid of hard work, wouldn’t you rather spend your time on your art than building an online presence that garners enough traffic to sustain you financially? That’s where utilizing online platforms like Etsy come into play. My guest, Jenni Waldrop is a pro at getting the most out of platforms like Etsy to help artists like you sell your art online. Learn from Jenni about all the advantages and yes, the work that’s necessary to build an online shop and in a successful and sustainable way.
Why it’s important to understand your target audience.
If you want to sell your art online, you’ve got to know who your target audience is and what they are looking for. This doesn’t mean you have to compromise your principles or “Sell out.” Rather, think of it as a method for you to find out how you can connect with your fans in a way that allows them to support your work. Remember, the majority of your target audience doesn’t look like you! They don’t think like you, shop like you, or spend their time online the same way you do. Find out how to understand and connect with your audience by listening to Jenni Waldrop’s expert advice!
Work smarter, not harder!
Did you know that understanding how to read data and analytics can help you sell your art online more effectively? It’s true! You don’t always have to work harder to get the results you are looking for, sometimes is better to work smarter. In my conversation with Jenni, she explains how artists like you can locate and understand data from online sources like Instagram, Pinterest, and Etsy that will help you better understand where your audience is connecting with your activity. Wrapping your mind around this data is easier than you might think, once you’ve done that you’ll be better equipped to build your business and market your artwork.
Building an online shop can really pay off.
Trust me, I can understand how you may think that all of this talk about data and building an online shop to sell your art can be overwhelming and even daunting. I’ve built my Etsy shop and experienced less than impressive results. However, I’m convinced that Jenni Waldrop’s approach can work for artists like you and me. After considering all of Jenni’s advice and spending time with the information she’s provided, I’m ready to put give it another shot. Stay tuned as Jenni and I work on a special venture to rehab my Etsy shop and test how her approach can work for artists.
Outline of This Episode
- [1:05] I introduce my guest, Jenni Waldrop.
- [3:00] Jenni talks about her background and what she does.
- [5:30] How do artists on Etsy make themselves discoverable?
- [7:30] If you build it, will they really come?
- [10:00] What would Jenni suggest to revive or grow an Etsy business?
- [14:00] Jenni talks about print on demand options.
- [17:30] How do you build up and establish an audience?
- [20:00] Why it’s important to understand who your audience is.
- [25:30] Following the data can help you work smarter, not harder.
- [28:30] What does it take to get an Etsy shop off of the ground?
- [34:00] Advice Jenni would give to her younger self.
- [38:30] Selling original pieces of art instead of prints.
- [43:00] Parting advice for artists looking to sell their art online.
