Welcome to the dark side of being a creator—social media.

Selling art is a difficult business. No matter how talented or creative you are, it's hard to make enough money to live off of your art if you don't have a platform to get your work in front of your customers. This is why many artists turn to social media as a way to market their artwork and reach potential customers—it seems like an easy way of getting your products in front of the right faces. And it does work, if you play the game right and you are uber consistent...and you look at social media like a business endeavor and take out the emotion.

Ever felt like all your hard work isn't good enough? You're not alone. I hear this all the time, and social media makes amplifies this feeling.

Questions of worth and validation can often arise with no clear answer in sight.

Social Media provides an "all too easy" distraction, one that promises waves of approval when 2000 likes are achieved or our followers skyrocket—yet if we let it take over our creative process, what's left is nothing but conflict between self-validation versus and chasing recognition...So instead ask yourself: do you create for love; or purely out of wanting others' validation?

The dark side of social media is this addiction to the way recognition can fuel our ego and make us feel depressed if our content isn't being liked shared and adored.

This dark side quickly turns into an abusive narcissistic never ending game with whom you’ll never be good enough for, and YOU can never get enough of.

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So have you ever thought to stop and ask:

Is social media right for you, and your brand?

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

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Do you let let social media be the sole source of your ego-driven highs and lows? Has social media become your indicator of business success?

Step away from being dependent on others for gratification, and turn inward to create something beautiful, out of passio —not obligation or for the desire to be liked! If posting online has become a chore instead of an enjoyable activity, then it's time to call it quits with that platform or create a system that allows you to post without feeling sucked in.

Do you let feelings or facts help you make your social media decisions?

If you don't look at the facts or look at analytics frequently and only look at likes, shares and comments...you are probably letting social media drive your business with emotion. Stop letting feelings guide your decisions and start listening to the facts. Take a closer look at your Google Analytics data - how many purchases have come from "likes" on social media? What percentages of visitors are arriving via these platforms? And, just as importantly, which ones actually engage with you in some way or another? Letting emotions lead isn't going to get you anywhere; don't forget that cold hard numbers tell it like it is! Be sure to register for our upcoming Google Analytics Lunch & Learn so we can help crunch those digits together.

Is social media fueling you?

Do you ever find yourself scrolling through your social media feeds for hours at a time, yet not gaining anything meaningful from the experience? If so, it's likely that Facebook and Instagram are sucking away valuable energy—both mental and financial. But if they provide entertainment or an opportunity to re-connect with old friends then maybe these platforms can be part of a healthy relationship! Ask yourself: what is really feeding my soul?

As an artist, it's easy to get caught up in the digital age of marketing and selling your art. But when I really look at your sales history, there's one source that always rings true—face-to-face interaction! Whether it’s displaying artwork at a physical location, participating in art shows or simply handing out business cards—engaging with people from all walks of life is truly where you'll find success. Sure social media has its place but if you want loyal customers who appreciate your work for years down the line? In real life will be best bet every time.

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There are plenty of other ways to sell art without relying solely on social media.

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Here are a few ways to sell your art without social media:

1. Reach Out To Local Art Galleries & Businesses

One of the best ways to get your artwork in front of people who may be interested in buying it is by reaching out to local art galleries, businesses, and other venues that host exhibitions and events featuring local artists' works. Many galleries will accept submissions from artists and showcase pieces they like in their space. In addition, businesses often host events featuring local artists and may be willing to feature some of your work as well. Plus, you can even reach out directly to people in your community who might be interested in purchasing art - this could include interior designers, restaurant owners, or even just friends and family members!

*Wait before you spend hours reaching out to galleries do a few things first:

1. Research The Galleries You Are Interested In—especially their audience.

Not all gallery spaces are created equal and each one has a different style, price point and selling style. Make sure that the galleries that you are reaching out to make sense for your brand and your own style.

2. Have a professional brand presence.

Being professional goes a long way in any industry. It also is pretty helpful when you come with a polished brand presence as a creative too. Make sure you put your best "most polished" version of your work, business cards, etc so that you stand out and come off as a "sane" and safe person to work with. No one likes working with unreliable or wishy washy people. And yes, that includes us creatives.

3. Have a consistent pricing structure.

Know your worth and know your numbers. Not having a consistent pricing method makes you look un professional and well, messy. Have a consistent pricing method and come prepared.

2. Utilize Online Platforms & Marketplaces

Although social media may not be the right fit for everyone when it comes to selling their artwork, there are still other online platforms you can use to reach potential buyers. Websites such as Etsy and Fine Art America provide easy-to-use interfaces so that you can quickly set up an account and start selling your artwork online without any hassle. You might know that I myself am not a huge fan of Etsy but there are plenty of other online market places that are awesome!

Additionally, many cities have their own local marketplaces dedicated specifically for handmade goods where you can list your art for sale as well!

3. Participate in Local Events & Festivals

Participating in local events is another great way to sell your artwork without relying on social media for promotion. Many cities have regular festivals or fairs dedicated specifically for showcasing the talents of local creatives - these events offer invaluable exposure for selling artwork because they bring together hundreds (or even thousands!) of people from all over the city who could potentially be interested in buying what you have created! Plus, they usually require very little setup time or effort on your part - just show up with some nice prints or paintings and start talking about what makes them special!  

4. Collaborate or cross promote another Creative

Use another creative's connections or friend to cross promote your work. Do a giveaway or launch your own event. Nothing is better than a little friendly assistance and love from another creative or small business owner. Host a giveaway, host a dinner or special event, launch a new collaborative event and do it with some help. Take advantage of each others connections and online presence. Just be sure to pick partnerships that are advantageous for all of you and get contracts.

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Selling art without social media can seem daunting at first but it doesn't have to be so difficult!

There are plenty of creative ways that you can get your artwork out into the world without relying solely on social media platforms such as Instagram or Twitter—all it takes is a bit of research and creativity on your part!

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By reaching out directly to galleries and businesses or participating in online marketplaces and local events, you can find new avenues for selling art without needing a huge following on social media first.

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Good luck you got this!

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