I’ve spent years trying to figure out how to get my work in front of people without feeling like a used-car salesman. Here’s what I’ve learned. Some of it’s weird. Some of it’s counterintuitive. But all of it works. And if you’re still reading, congrats, you’re already engaging with marketing.

1. Stop Hiding – People Need to Know You Exist

Marketing Tips for Artists 101: No one can buy your work if they don’t know you exist. I know, wild concept. The amateur artist problem isn’t just talent—it’s obscurity. You might be a creative genius, but if your art is hidden in a dusty studio, it’s about as useful to the world as a harmonica at a death metal concert.

Post your work online. Regularly. Stop waiting for perfection. Show your messy, unfinished, in-progress disasters. People love seeing the journey, not just the destination.

2. Embrace Your Inner Narcissist (In a Good Way)

I hate to break it to you, but you need to talk about yourself. A lot.

I know, I know—modesty, humility, “let the work speak for itself”—blah blah blah. But unless you’re Banksy, people aren’t actively searching for your work. Becoming a popular Twitter artist (X.com artist), for example, doesn’t happen because someone magically discovers your tweet buried under 10,000 other posts. It happens because you’re consistently showing up and engaging with people.

Tell stories. Share why you made something. Let people into your weird little world.

3. Social Media is a Necessary Evil (But It’s Not the Only One)

Yes, you should be on Instagram. No, it’s not the only way to sell art. The best way to sell art online isn’t just blasting pictures into the void and hoping for the best. Engage. Comment. Start conversations. Nobody likes a “post-and-ghost” artist.

Facebook? Still alive. How to sell art quickly on Facebook? Post in groups, run a small ad, and actually interact with potential buyers. X.com? Great for witty artists and writers. TikTok? If you’re comfortable making videos, go for it. Instagram is great for visual artists and performers. Just don’t try to do everything at once. Pick one or two platforms and go all in.

4. Newsletters Are Not Dead (And They Make You Money)

Email is the cockroach of the internet—it just won’t die. And that’s a good thing! Social media algorithms are about as reliable as a caffeine-fueled raccoon. Your email list, however, is yours. If someone signs up, they actually want to hear from you.

Send a fun, engaging newsletter. Not just sales pitches, but real stories. Behind-the-scenes moments. A weird thing that happened in your studio. The day you accidentally dipped your paintbrush in your coffee. (We’ve all been there.)

5. Pricing Art: The Eternal Headache

Ah yes, pricing. The part where we all stare at our work, whisper “what are you worth?” and hope it whispers back. Whether you’re figuring out how to price sculpture, paintings, commissions, or music gigs, here’s a simple rule:

Charge more than you think you should.

If people aren’t hesitating a little at your prices, you’re probably too cheap. And remember: pricing isn’t just about money—it’s about perceived value. People respect what they pay for.

6. Licensing: The Secret Money Machine

Most artists think selling originals is the only way to make money. Nope. Licensing artwork for commercial use – beginner guide level: you let companies pay you to use your art. Think greeting cards, t-shirts, book covers, album artwork. It’s passive income. It’s magical. Look into it.

7. Your Website: The Digital Studio Tour

If your website looks like it was built in 2009, we have a problem. Your site should be clean, simple, and—most importantly—functional. List your work, make buying easy, and for the love of all that is creative, don’t hide your prices. No one wants to email you to ask how much something costs. They just won’t.

8. Time Management for Artists (Or: Stop Scrolling and Start Creating)

Marketing is important, but so is actually making art. Time management for artists is tough because creativity doesn’t fit into neat little boxes. But you need structure. Try this:

• Mornings: Create art.
• Afternoons: Do marketing/business stuff.
• Evenings: Stare existentially into the void, or whatever helps you wind down.

Batch tasks. Schedule posts. But don’t let marketing eat all your creative time.

9. The Business Plan You Swore You’d Never Write

Business plans for artists sound like an oxymoron, but having even a simple one helps. Where do you want your art to take you in five years? What’s your income goal? How will you get there? It doesn’t have to be fancy—just a roadmap so you’re not wandering aimlessly through the art world like a lost tourist.

10. The Art of Selling Without Feeling Like a Sellout

Selling isn’t about convincing people to buy—it’s about helping the right people find the right art. Stop thinking of it as “selling” and start thinking of it as matchmaking.

People buy art because it makes them feel something. Tell the story behind your work. Connect. And when someone buys? Celebrate that you just added beauty to their world.

11. Procrastination: The Artist’s Favorite Hobby

Ah, procrastination. The silent killer of artistic careers. It’s easy to say “I’ll market my work tomorrow.” But tomorrow turns into next week, next month, next year. The best way to sell art online? Start marketing now. Even if it’s messy. Even if you feel clueless. Even if your website is still half-finished. Just start.

Marketing is Just Sharing Your Passion

At the end of the day, marketing tips for artists boil down to one thing: share what you love with the world. Enthusiasm is contagious. If you love what you do, show it. Talk about it. Let people in. Marketing isn’t about tricking people into buying—it’s about helping them discover something they didn’t know they needed. And if that something is your art? Even better.

Now go forth and make something awesome. And tell people about it.