Be easy…when you’re selling your work, don’t hassle your nice collectors. Make it a fabulous experience for them!
Recently, a wonderful artist in my city completed a news worthy project, “1000 Bowls to Feed the Hungry.” This artist, Chris Thompson, threw over 1,000 pottery bowls and invited the art community to help glaze them. Lots of artists were involved in helping create these incredible bowls. Chris spent many months organizing the affair, promoting it, getting the bowls into local galleries. At the end of the day, proceeds from these 1,000 bowls went to fund 3 local food banks and multiplied each dollar spent to feed the hungry. It was a wonderful project.
First I attended Chris’ display of ALL of the bowls. Well, of course, I couldn’t walk out without a bowl. I chose a big, beautiful, earthy one. It wasn’t easy to choose, but it sure was easy to buy. There were so many unique and colourful designs and shapes. It was such a blast I thought everyone should have one so I promoted the event to friends.
My awesome friends bought bowls. They told me they hunted through galleries to find the perfect match. Some friends asked me to buy bowls for them. I happily obliged. I perused the local galleries, and carefully sought out bowls I felt befitting of the future owner. As I embarked on my mission, I couldn’t help but find additional bowls for myself. I became a collector! At the next to the last gallery, I selected a spirited little bowl, took my card to the counter and was told I had to pay in cash (audible gasp!). This was a full service art gallery….or so I thought. They asked me to go find an ATM, there was one about ¾ of a mile away, the man thought. Could I write a check? I’m sorry, I don’t even use checks, unless someone pays me with one. What??? They didn’t have the ability to run credit or debit cards. The man behind the counter didn’t seem the least bit bothered that he had boldly asked me to inconvenience myself. I could take it or leave it.
Notice, this was the NEXT TO THE LAST gallery. Because, why buy from a place that makes it so inconvenient to buy you wish you’d gone elsewhere?
Are you “easy to buy from”? Are you equipped to take various forms of payment? Have change? Ship well? Follow up? Will you take commissions? Do you send thank you notes?
Square and Paypal both provide easy credit processing options that work well with mobile devices like tablets and phones. Let your exchange be a seamless delight for your collectors. Wrap it up or ship it, provide a receipt, express some sincere gratitude and follow up. You’re success factor will get a boost because:
The first rule of selling is….”BE EASY TO BUY FROM!”
Just a little something to think about as many artists move into open studio and the holiday season and are working so hard to create incredible art. As you’re putting all that effort into the final product, remember, whether you intend for it to be or not, the customer experience is part of your product (click to Tweet). Don’t be a bold inconvenience, be easy. After all, you probably don’t want to be collecting your art for yourself!
Bowl ‘Em Over!
Michelle Andres is a coach, writer and artist who teaches creatives business behaviours that boost their
productivity and happiness…all the while honoring their unique and artsy selves.
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15 Comments
September 7, 2013 at 4:52 pm
I love your wonderful sense of sharing, your kindess, your generosity and your words of wisdom. Need I say more…other than heartfelt thanks, you have added to my life!!!
September 7, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Thank you for your kind words, Francesca! I love working with the art community. By the way, your work is BEAUTIFUL! Keep arting! ~m
September 8, 2013 at 3:13 pm
Michelle, I could not agree more! Every artist with a smart phone should have a Square or Paypal Here device, no excuses. The devices are free and rates very reasonable. No monthly fees!!
I compare this experience to less than 10 years ago doing art festivals, using an old-fashioned card stamper, going home to input the numbers into an electronic machine plugged into a phone jack, hoping the transaction went ok since the art was already gone, and being charged for both per-transaction and monthly fees!
Too many people “in business” overlook the fact that credit card acceptance dramatically increases your sales volume and price point. Instead of selling the $60 print, you can sell the $500 original. It’s worth the effort and very small fee.
September 9, 2013 at 4:06 pm
Thank you for your very salient thoughts, Joanne. Yes, that trip down memory lane…times have changed for the better, we must change with them and be better as well!
September 9, 2013 at 3:25 pm
The article is really about very important issue. The work is not finished even after a successful sale and shipping. You may ask your customers to provide you with their feedbacks. And continue your work towards improving the level of service.
September 9, 2013 at 4:07 pm
Great Point! Getting feedback helps us improve our sales systems and the customer sales experience. It’s important to take the information without being defensive and use it to build a better business. Your art is your BUSINESS! Thanks for your input! ~m
September 10, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Great article and since having the ability to process card payments I have found an increase in turnover. For those in the UK Sumup is a great alternative and the same as square
September 17, 2013 at 4:05 pm
Thanks, Garth for the UK alternative. I’m so happy it’s working well for you!
December 14, 2013 at 9:38 pm
I wish this article had come to my attention before. Because of it I have just challenged all the local potters to make 100 bowls and donate the proceeds to our local food bank. Also since I have over 100 mugs in storage waiting for next season’s farmer’s market I might change the challenge to mugs. What a nice way to serve the community! Thanks. Pat
December 14, 2013 at 10:17 pm
I’m glad you can serve the cause, Pat. Drop me a note and let me know how it goes. Make the mugs and bowls easy to buy! I wish you great success! ~ Michelle
February 14, 2015 at 11:35 pm
Really enjoy your posts !
SO interesting, generous and optimistic.
Best wishes to you.
Irena
February 18, 2015 at 7:15 pm
Thank you, Irena. I’m glad you enjoy them. Thank you for being a reader! ~m
May 22, 2016 at 12:18 pm
As I am trying to get my art business going this 2016, I am reading over some more of your newsletters that I have overlooked in the past. This one was great. I have been on the fence about getting a smartphone that will work with a square. I am going to get one for sure now. Now that this is 2016, what are my options? Do you know? Jenn
May 22, 2016 at 3:27 pm
Hi Jennifer! I’m so glad these are there for you. You can type any topic in the search bar at the top of the page, and find previous blog posts that have addressed that topic. So proud of you for putting some energy behind your business – GO GIRL!!! You can use a Square or Paypal account with any smartphone. I’m not sure about the options since I got mine before the cards had chips. You certainly should find out about it. I still use mine, but simply slide the card. I hope you use it a lot in 2016. Sell your art – and be easy to buy from!