What am I doing wrong?

[Maria Wiley]

I am trying pretty hard with the marketing & promotion side of being an artist ... have 8 sites all over the place (including a public profile I just started on Facebook) and spending quite a bit of time trying to upkeep all & keep them interesting, time I feel I should be spending on my painting, but nevertheless, I enjoy that side of it & it's also using my creativity ...
Well, I'm so far resisting ebay & etsy to sell, I just thought I'd give all the other 8 sites a go BUT I don't seem to sell anything on the Internet through any of these sites.

My sales have all been local ones & I'm not complaining about that, it's just that I thought I'd be generating more interest in comparision to the amount of time I'm puttting in on the computer.

SO

what are your thoughts? Any suggestions? How can I get more traffic on these sites (in particular my personal blog which has been going for 2 years) and more sales?

Sorry if I sound like I'm whinging ... just having one of those 'down' days & feel like talking to someone that knows how I feel.

Maria :)

[Maria Wiley]

Thanks Debi, yes we are all in the same boat ... I am feeling much better about it all, I guess I was having a bad day. I am really grateful for the opportunities I have & happy that I can be a part of the art community as a whole:) You are never too old Deb!!

[Debi Lowe]

Maria, in this post you addressed a concern of mine too. I Just started promoting myself & my art over the last 30 days. This site was the first social networking place I've tried-Facebook didn't seem right for me. Even though I'm brand new & have'nt sold anything yet, the people I have talked to in just 3 days have been very encouraging to me. Gary is so right-we just have to get ourselves out there. I told myself that I was too old to be promoting on these new networking sites. But....after some contemplation, I found out that it was just insecurity about my work. I have been in an Art making frenzy for about 8 years now, & the work I have done is immense! But I have'nt known how to plug myself into the art scene. The voices are many & they are loud!! So Gary is right about jumping off that shelf! I Love this site!!!

[Maria Wiley]

Thank you Lindsay! appreciate your kind words!

[Maria Wiley]

Thanks Shishi!!

[Shishi]

Maria....I just want to add....I think that you are amazing...such a talent. I will be watching and learning. Thanks

[Maria Wiley]

Yes, I'd like to get my things up in a good gallery one day (more than one if possible) ! That is one of my goals. I have my paintings up at one of our local coffee shops once a year (our art group members each get one month) & have been able to sell that way also. I've now simplified my blog & am getting a more professional website for my gallery of paintings ... I like your idea too Janet, of having mini-exhibitions at home!

[Janet Stevens]

I also agree with Lidija above - face to face with a 'live one ' is the way to sell most things.
Even nowadays with the internet personal contact and for me - I have to touch what I buy. I buy nothing on line - for that reason.

If I was a " real artist " selling stuff. I would have tons of people at my house for any reason I could think up. Dinner, game nights, beer on the patio, birthdays, - anything and no one would leave my house without a free art work piece. however small. I would give art away all the time... I know a lot of people disagree with this approach... Sponsor everything... But this only works if you live in an area with lots of people..... oh well....

[Maria Wiley]

Agree whole-heartedly Roberta:)

[Maria Wiley]

Thank you Lu:) yes, that would suit me better as I get absorbed in what I'm doing ... me too, I love to just watch & get the feel of someone else's creative energy!

[roberta]

its so nice to have this community of friends to help support us on our journey! ox