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Blog: Artist Resources

FestivalNet

The Impact of High-Quality Images when Applying to Art Shows

posted March 8, 2024   category » Artist Resources
The Impact of High-Quality Images when Applying to Art Shows

Having high-quality images is crucial for achieving professional success, especially in the art world. Excellent photographic images can greatly influence acceptance in exhibitions, so make it a priority to get the right shots of your hard work before applying for shows!

Importance of Professional Photography

Hiring a professional photographer offers numerous benefits in capturing top-notch images. These visuals play a pivotal role in grabbing attention and generating publicity, making them invaluable for artists seeking recognition. It's an investment in your success as an artist!  If you can't afford a pro, research ways to DIY your own light box or work with student photographers!

Negotiation Skills for Artists: Contracts, Rates, and Professional Agreements

posted January 26, 2024   category » Artist Resources
Negotiation Skills for Artists: Contracts, Rates, and Professional Agreements

As a creative soul, your instinct might be to channel all your energy into your art, but acquiring negotiation skills for artists is equally important. This skill set is essential for advocating the worth of your work and navigating the complexities of professional agreements. So, let's explore how these skills can elevate your artistic career and help you maximize success in booking events.

Knowing the Value of Your Art

Understanding the value of your art is the most important step that comes before any negotiations and agreements. It involves so much more than just slapping a price tag on your masterpiece. Here's how to determine your art's value:

Handling Sales and Transactions at Art Fairs with Finesse

posted November 27, 2023   category » Artist Resources
Handling Sales and Transactions at Art Fairs with Finesse

Heading to an art fair can stir up a mix of excitement and nerves, especially when it's time to sell. But, with some know-how, you can handle sales and transactions at art fairs like a pro. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned artist, mastering the exchange from browser to buyer is crucial. In this post, we'll walk you through the steps to ensure your transactions go smoothly, leaving you to focus on what you do best—showcasing your art. Get ready to learn the ins and outs of handling sales and transactions at art fairs and turn those casual conversations into successful sales.

Good Practices + Tips for Art Fair Newbies

posted November 3, 2023   category » Artist Resources
Good Practices + Tips for Art Fair Newbies

Art fairs and festivals are an ideal opportunity for artists to sell their creations to grow their audiences and brands, in addition to custom orders, e-commerce, and personal sales. Artists can create a community, build an audience, & attract the attention and curiosity of curators and galleries all while exhibiting at art fairs. If you are looking to make festivals one of the ways to develop your art career, the following tips will be helpful.

The Pros and Cons of Selling Your Art Online vs. at Art Fairs

posted August 4, 2023   category » Artist Resources
The Pros and Cons of Selling Your Art Online vs. at Art Fairs

Selling your art is a unique and deeply personal experience. The channels through which you market and sell your pieces can shape not only your profit but your entire career. In the dynamic world of art, two prominent methods stand out: selling your art online vs. at art fairs. Both have their merits and drawbacks, and your choice depends on your particular needs and circumstances. Here's everything you need to know about both options.

The Artist's Palette: Crafting a Career Through Sales

Being an artist is not just about creating; it's about connecting with your audience, sparking emotions, and turning a passion into a livelihood. With the rise of digital platforms, artists have more options than ever to showcase their talent. But art fairs have a timeless allure that can't be overlooked.

3 Creative Ways to Promote Your Art at Fairs and Festivals

posted May 5, 2023   category » Artist Resources
3 Creative Ways to Promote Your Art at Fairs and Festivals

Summer art festivals and art fairs provide great opportunities for artists. And, while these big events mean more potential customers, they also come with a challenge: how do you make your artwork stand out amongst all the rest? The following ideas are fun, creative ways to add a personal touch to your art display—I use them all the time myself, and hopefully they'll prove successful for you as well!

How to Promote Your Upcoming Art Event

posted April 27, 2023   category » Artist Resources
How to Promote Your Upcoming Art Event

Congratulations! You've just completed your latest masterpiece! There's nothing quite like the satisfaction and accomplishment of creating a new work of art. As you gaze upon your creation, you can't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. That is it - you're ready to show the world what you've got! But how do you ensure that your upcoming art exhibition is a success? Well, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll provide you with some valuable tips on how to promote your upcoming art event. So, let's dive in and get started with some thoughtful and strategic tips!

How to Stand Out as an Artist at an Art Fair

posted March 27, 2023   category » Artist Resources
How to Stand Out as an Artist at an Art Fair

Although you might believe that your art speaks for itself, the first thing that visitors and potential art buyers will notice about you at an art show is your booth. And with so many competitive artists around, becoming noticeable can be challenging. Yet, there are a few tested strategies for adequately organizing your booth, such as eye-catching layouts, striking wall writing, and ensuring you and your space are accessible to visitors. Fortunately, we know all of them and are happy to share the knowledge. Therefore, here is how to stand out as an artist at an art fair and make the most of your presence there.

Tips and Tricks to Get the Most Out of Attending an Art and Craft Fair

posted February 14, 2023   category » Artist Resources
Tips and Tricks to Get the Most Out of Attending an Art and Craft Fair

Globally, artists rely on art fairs and festivals to market their brands and sell their work. These occasions are a significant source of income for many artists, many of whom prosper. Furthermore, there seem to be more and more chances for artists to participate in art fairs as the direct-to-collector art fair model has increased in popularity. However, with so many opportunities available, it can be challenging to sort through them all. You must know the potential pitfalls of such an event and learn how to get the most out of attending an art fair. As a result, we would like to give you a hand and teach you some tips and tricks about art fairs and how to make the most of them.

How to Grow Your Creative Business From a Side Hustle

posted September 15, 2022   category » Artist Resources
How to Grow Your Creative Business From a Side Hustle

If you’re a part-time artist or crafter that wants to expand your side hustle into a full-scale business venture, look no further! Though there’s nothing wrong with leaving your craft as a passion and not monetizing it, there are certainly ways to get your work out in the world on a larger scale. Here are some of our best tips for getting exposure and scaling your business.

Find the Right Digital Space to Sell

Depending on your art medium or creative venture, the platform online that you sell your products on may be different. You should explore the use of a digital marketplace when putting your art out in the world! Whether you use FestivalNet's online platform or a larger-scale marketplace like Etsy or Redbubble to sell, you’ll want to compare what portion each site will take out of your sales.

The Art of Making an Emotional Connection

posted September 11, 2022   category » Artist Resources
The Art of Making an Emotional Connection

Sell more of your work by talking about what matters most to your customer.


When I first started the art festival guide I had a somewhat clear organization and, once I decided on the main points to cover, I kept to my outline more or less faithfully. During the course of art festivals, I would think of bits and pieces and almost all of them fit neatly into my chapters...almost. Another phenomenon that occurs in art festivals is that some of us get a lot of visits from artists that want to entertain the idea of embarking upon the art festival adventure.

Depth of Growth is More Important than Rate of Growth

posted August 23, 2022   category » Artist Resources
Depth of Growth is More Important than Rate of Growth

Attracting one new, deeply committed fan is worth far, far more than attracting 100 mildly interested visitors to your website.

The problem is, if you do what most articles tell you to do, you're mostly doing the wrong things or, at best, you're simply doing what everyone else is doing: you're optimizing for hundreds of mildly interested people instead of a few deeply committed people.

🪦 What's Killing Your Art Sales?

posted August 9, 2022   category » Artist Resources
🪦 What's Killing Your Art Sales?

Is your art business about to pass away? Here are some reasons why your sales may be dying.


Non-existent Website.  At this point in time, if you don't have an art website, there is simply no excuse. You are invisible to virtually the whole world. And if you have one that hasn't been updated in years, that doesn't help either. It will look like you're out of business, or perhaps you've expired.


Poor photos, anyone? Are shoppers inspired to buy after viewing blurry, poorly lit, or overly small photos of your art? Um.. No. Time to reincarnate your portfolio as a stunning visual feast for the viewer!


They're not hearing what they need to know. What is it that you really do? Don't keep them guessing. You have to tell your story, and share your inspiration and your process. Use that story to grab attention and use your message to let shoppers know how much they will love becoming one of your collectors.

5 Steps to Gaining Referral Business

posted May 16, 2022   category » Artist Resources
5 Steps to Gaining Referral Business
When you really think about it, you may realize that many of your current collectors and customers would be happy to recommend you and your work. And if you sell to a niche market, your customers are likely to know others who have the same interests, and could be potential clients as well.

How do you get referrals from your customer base? Ask for them. You may be pleasantly surprised at the very positive reaction you receive. After all, the worst they can say is "no."

🎨 Are Your Prices Unrealistic?

posted April 11, 2022   category » Artist Resources
🎨 Are Your Prices Unrealistic?

Many years ago, a certain art professor showed his portfolio slides to a class I attended, as a sample of how to put together a body of work for presentation. His beautiful ceramic perfume bottles were quite impressive and skillfully made. Along with the images were prices for each item, which averaged in the range of $600 each, which was his example of pricing to the class.


Not long ago, I happened to speak with an artist who by chance got the same talk from the same art professor with the same slides. She, however, had the presence of mind to raise her hand and ask "How many of these perfume bottles have you sold?" The answer: Zero.

Dazzle Juries with Amazing Images

posted March 17, 2022   category » Artist Resources
Dazzle Juries with Amazing Images

It cannot be stressed enough that fantastic, high quality images are the most important step towards professional success. Do not let the quality of your images eliminate your work from the next juried exhibition, craft show, book or magazine. Always keep in mind that the jury is looking at a photographic representation rather than the actual work. No matter how good your work may be in reality, your photographic image must capture that reality in a dynamic and compelling manner. In a competitive environment, jurors must sort through hundreds of images.

Six Ways For Artists to Improve Your Story-telling and Engage with Your Audience

posted February 24, 2022   category » Artist Resources
Six Ways For Artists to Improve Your Story-telling and Engage with Your Audience
Each one of us has a story to tell. Some of us have more than one story. Others are a bit more shy. The key thing to remember is that your customers want to relate to you as a person, not a product. Stories help us to engage with people and build relationships. In person, a quick anecdote can help to break the ice and establish common ground. But what can you do in this time of social distancing and remote selling? Here are six ways to improve your story-telling and encourage connections with your customers.

1) Focus on One Thing

Online audiences don't have time to focus on much before flitting off to the next bright shiny thing, so you have to grab them quickly. One hero image of your work as an attention-getter is often a great way to kick off a post or an email. (On the professional forums I visit, people will often use an unrelated image just to get attention.) You, as an artist, should have phenomenal images of your work that can be used to kick off a story. Think about how your work came into being, and let that drive the story.

Artists: Consider Your Entry Thoughtfully and Strategically

posted January 3, 2022   category » Artist Resources
Artists: Consider Your Entry Thoughtfully and Strategically

Whether you are applying for a juried art festival or to be considered in a gallery show, you want to put your best foot forward and make an outstanding impression. Here's an article from our archives helping you achieve the best possible outcome as an artist applying to showcase your work at events like art fairs and craft shows.

Read the application/prospectus thoroughly and determine how your work can best match the stated premise or expectation of the juried exhibition, craft show, book, or magazine. Know your audience and speak consistently to it from images to applications.

🎨 6 Myths About The Artist's Life

posted November 18, 2021   category » Artist Resources
🎨 6 Myths About The Artist's Life

I've been drawing from the time I was old enough to clutch a crayon in a pudgy hand. There was never a doubt about what I'd be when I grew up; my dreams were clear and well-defined.


I would be an artist.


However. . . I've come to realize those youthful dreams about what it meant to be an artist were in error. Here are 6 of my early misconceptions:


1. The life of an artist is easy


All I had to do was make art, right? No nine-to-five job. No commute. Just stand (or sit) at an easel and paint things I loved to paint. How difficult is that?