How Not To Sell Your Artwork!

Again as ridiculous as some of these seem I have personally witnessed them. Although most artists have not taken business or sales marketing courses I believe that artists should make an attempt at least to learn the business aspect of selling ones art.
Here are some ways to NOT sell your artwork

Whether in a gallery, in your studio, online at an exhibition make sure you don't have a resume or/and a business card available. As most artists have a business card handy there are many at i.e. exhibitions that do not. Generally information will only help the customer in a positive way to decide when they are on the ball to purchase.

Lean your artwork on the floor against the wall or stack them so nobody can see what you have to offer. This also looks very unprofessional. When I see a huge stack of paintings leaning against the wall I make an immediate assumption that this person works fast and they must not spend a lot of time on their work. This assumption is most likely wrong however you don't want people to assume wrong things about you.

At an exhibition act uninterested when people are browsing your artwork, read a book, have a friend fill in for you, don't approach. I was shocked at the amount of times this happened at the last exhibition I attended.

Don't put a price tag when displaying your artwork at art shows, openings, online, etc. This is probably the most frustrating thing I see individuals do for any merchandise that is sold. People want to know what the price is and most people do not have the patience to call you, write a letter, an email, walk into a gallery and wait for someone to serve them they want to know and quickly and that is the reality.

Think of yourself as not only the artist who painted the artwork on display, think of yourself as the representative the PR of your work. If you give someone attitude or ignore someone that will reflect negatively onto your work and your name. I hope I don't have to tell you how small the world is or how burning one bridge can ruin your day/week/year down the road.

So here are more ideas of how NOT to sell your artwork:
Price your art higher then art by artists that have similar career accomplishments and experience as yours. Anyone who is going to comparison shop will surely not buy yours. If you are interested in how to price your work please read "How to Price Your Artwork Realistically," at www.houseofcachet.com

If someone asks or offers a lower price act personally offended. This can assure you won't get a sale at all. Negotiating is someone's right and it is your right to turn the price down. Do not act offended in anyway if you do turn it down.

Don't accept an offer even if it is reasonable and if you do make sure the buyer sees how upset and displeased you are.
If someone says they cannot afford the artwork of interest tell them a saying such as "you only get what you pay for, etc" and then show them a small cheap piece you want to get rid of. What you should really do is give them options (payment options, commission options, etc) remember you want the sale.

If you have a series of pieces you are showing that are related make sure you only sell them as a group and never individually. This will assure you do not get a sale from someone who cannot afford all pieces or does not have space for your series.

Talk only to people who you think are sure sales and not to people who are browsing or curious. This way when the curious person does make their mind up you wont be on their list of choices.

Talk only to people who might advance your career, buy your art or only talk to people you already know. This will assure that anyone who is interested in your work and doesn't know you will not be able to buy your work

This is one of the things that bother me the most in all realms of retail sales. A great example is the time I went into purchase a car. At the time I looked as though I was 20 years old, wearing sweat pants and t-shirt. I went into a "luxury car dealership" looking for a used sports car. I was so upset that nobody would even get up to help me or say hi. The one man sitting at his desk looked at me and then back to his paper and said nothing. I went up to him and asked him where I could find a used ABC model car. He told me and pointed saying "they are outside near the back of the building." He wouldn't even get up as he surely assumed I had no money and I was just a waste of time. I left the dealership and went to another dealership wearing the same sweatpants and shirt where I got superior service. Guess where I bought my car?

This long winded example was to prove to you don't EVER judge a sale potential by their age, race, sex, appearance, etc. And if you are having a bad day you need to put it to the side and deal with your personal problems later.

Be negative and complain a lot. Since nobody wants to hear a negative person ramble and complain a lot as this will help you NOT get a sale. Think of complaints as an equivalent to spraying mace in someone's eyes. Don't complain about ANYTHING not matter what. This frame costs too much or that artist doesn't know what they are talking about or this paint is too expensive are all negative comments.

We all know that the arts can be tough so after a long day at an outdoor exhibition, you have had no sales, your sunburned, tired, annoyed and in the last 15 minutes someone walks in and says hi. Don't act aloof or negative treat him/her as though they were your first customer.

Act aloof or inaccessible when someone enters your art exhibition space, gallery. Read a book or laugh with your friends when the customer looks as though they need help. This is yet another great way NOT to sell you artwork.

Overindulge in the available wine or beer or get stoned/high at your next exhibition/show. This will make it extra fun and challenging to sell you work. Don't do it.

In every conversation make hints towards or references towards your next upcoming show. This is similar to passing out business cards like candy. This is the biggest mistake you can make. You need to focus on the quality, conversation not on quantity the masses. It is far more productive to hand out three business cards in eight hours after developing a strong conversation and leads then to hand out 300 cards in eight hours.

Try convincing people who have or show little interest in your artwork that they should purchase it just like the street vendors do.

Tell people that your artwork is better and your style is better then other artists because of this and that.

Make people feel inferior by making them feel honoured to hear your superior intellect of art and when someone asks about your art make sure you sound smart by using insider words and new terminology.
Never say anything good about a fellow artist.

When someone asks you about your art do not stop talking even when they show disinterest or annoyance and don't ever ask if they understand what you are saying or if they have anymore questions.

Instantly correct anyone who misinterprets your art or sees it in ways other than how you want it to be seen.

When someone talks about art in his or her collection, make sure they can tell how little respect you have for those artists.
I really hope that this has helped as again I believe that by avoiding the above that it will only help the art community and art world.