How do you start a small business of selling art online and at art shows?

One source of great information about any subject is Yahoo Answers.  Anyone can post a question there and many highly knowledgeable experts will post answers because by doing so they are also adding a back link to their website.  Back links are one those critical items you will want to learn more about as you promote your website.  They are one of the keys necessary to unlock the mysteries of getting your web site in the public eye.

When Joe or Janis Q Public looks for something on the internet, whether it be “what is the best fishing pole” or “cheap air” or “popular artists” he or she will use a tool known as a search engine.  There are many popular search engines (i.e. Google, Yahoo and Bing) and you are probably familiar with at least one of these.  Sometimes you will see a “custom search engine” like this:

The question below is an example of actual question and answer you might find on Yahoo Answers.  The answers received to this question will appear below this post in the comments section.

My husband is an artist and we are looking to start doing art shows and selling online. I was wondering about some resources that could help with this process. I know I need a Texas Sales Tax Certificate but that is really all I know. Anything would help.

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Breaking Through the Canvas Ceiling

My name is Susan Young and I am the mother of Staci Black, who has tagged herself as the Nuttiest Artist Ever. In an effort to promote Staci’s art on the Internet, I have read everything I could find, taken stacks of notes and even purchased several “how to” programs looking for the keys to building her a successful art career.

The first thing I learned was that Staci is not alone in her struggles to sell her work. Have you ever noticed that before you bought the car you are driving (say it’s a Honda Fit), you never noticed how many Fits are on the road? Since buying a Fit, you now see them everywhere? Well, that’s pretty much what happened since I began this project. Everywhere I go, I meet another artist who has not a clue as to how start building up a name for themselves in the world of art or a market for their works.

So since I was already doing all the research and learning the ropes for my daughter and since I believe there will always be enough fans of beauty and art to go around and there is no need to be greedy and horde what I have learned, I have decided to publish this report and make it available to other struggling artists free of charge. It is my sincere hope that it will benefit everyone who reads it and bring a glimmer of success and prosperity into your life!

To get you started I have put together a couple of helpful tips for setting up an online gallery and designing your first website.  All you need to do it have immediate access to this FREE report is sign up on the right to receive the Beyond Art Newsletter.

Sign up now, no cost, no membership fees, no obligation.

Did you ever look at the work of a famous artist and wonder why them?  I have.  I often look at the work of the “greats” hanging in a gallery and think, “Who decided that was special?”  Someone at sometime looked at a piece of art by a totally unknown artist and thought it was worth something.  Certainly there are people in the art world who’s opinion counts more than mine or the gallery owner down the street.  The question is how does an artist get to be seen by the people who first off buy art and second by buying an artist’s work make that artist someone other people will want to buy?

My project for the coming months is to delve into the secrets of the art world and research that question.  Join me in that adventure.  Sign up now to receive the Beyond Art Newsletter and together we will discover how to move from anonymity to fame.

Remember, no cost, no membership fees, no obligation.

Just us, learning together to how to break through that canvas ceiling that separates unknown artists from famous artists!

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Beyond Art – An Adventure in Melding Creativity With Commerce

Our Mission:

To enhance the new user’s internet experience and provide a safe place for beginners to learn how to market their products or services in this sometimes overwhelming world of the world wide web.  We specialize in helping the non-technical newbie.

Like life itself, this site is a work in progress.  Participation in voluntary and free of charge.  Our goal is to learn new ways of bringing the work of artists, artisans and small businesses into the public’s awareness and to open new doors to self-promotion and marketing on the internet.

Our objective is to teach you how to create your own web site and promote your work or your services using the many social media tools available.

Testimonials

I am learning this networking  thing. I had no idea that there were so many options out there for putting all this info together. I have been thanking GOD everyday for the help I have been getting from Mrs. Susan, from Beyond Art.  If it wasn’t for her expertise in this sort of thing I wouldn’t be blogging right now. Big shout out to Mrs.Susan THANK YOU!!!  — Corena Dixon or Corena’s Jewelrey Design

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