I’ve been “retired” at the age of 72 since 2018. I’ve been a hobby artist since childhood. In 2005 with mild success, I joined Art.com and CafePress, made videos on YouTube under the name of Artsali. In 2011, I joined Zazzle. After 2018, I spent a major part of my time, working on digital art refinement.
Along with purchasing a subscription to Adobe Products: Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, and more, I have enjoyed learning many secrets to designing with my iPad, computer and laptop. It is amazingly fun! It is a happy addiction! I have joined Society6 and Redbubble. All of it delights me. It is my investment in my mental health which colors everything, and an adventure in our financial future. So, I do look at marketing aspects of selling art products on-line.
When I was employed, I had a fine reputation in marketing success and training others how to educate the public to the advantages of extraordinary service. I think it was natural to sell my high standards to the employees within my charge. My motto was, You will never go wrong, when you champion a patient.
Yet, it is a different matter when marketing myself. To me, selling art on-line is like boasting about myself…. a kind of, look what I can do … and this attitude holds me back.
How comfortable are you with publishing yourself, or freelancing? Do you have an agent? Do you use an on-line marketing firm … and if you do, is it successful (up to your goal standards)? I would appreciate hearing from people who are able to turn a hobby into a financial supplement or livelihood income without uneasiness.
In the meantime, I will continue to create into a mysterious void.
If it were easy, everyone would do it! Those words have the power to keep on with my projects.
Hitting your head against a wall usually doesn’t create a doorway!. Compliance with these words are really hard for me. I replace the recommendation with Never give up!
So, how do we market ourselves and our products into a successful enterprise? It’s trial and error, while watching your goals without drama, and focusing on the enjoyment of creativity. Educating, rather than boasting may also be helpful.
