Drawing of Someone With Pins Thorugh Their Head

Which one is it you ask? Pinterest.

If you aren't familiar with Pinterest, it is best described as an online bulletin board where you can save images that you love by categorizing them into one of your "boards." You can also browse Pinterest's main categories like "Art" and "Design" or search for a certain painting you want by typing in keywords like a Google search.

But, the best part of all is that the images you save link back directly to the website where they were first on, making it the perfect social media site for potential buyers to find art they love and go directly to the artist's website to purchase it.

Learn how to easily use Pinterest to promote and sell your art with these four steps.

Build your business page

Let's start with the basics!

Setting up your page as a business account will be best for your art business for many reasons, a big one being you can keep track of how your account and audience are doing with Pinterest's insights. Learn everything from what potential buyers are loving most about your page to what kind of fans are engaging with your art business, so then you can strategize and help your art business flourish even more.

If you have a personal account, don't worry! You can convert it to a business account here.

Once your Pinterest account is all set up with the name you consistently use for your brand and your art business's website or Artwork Archive Public Page, add in the intriguing details about yourself and what you do as an artist. Remember to use keywords so other pinners can find you in their search. And, if you are drawing a blank writing your artist About section, follow our how-to guide!

Tangerine Meg, an Artwork Archive artist, includes a fun artist description and links to her website and Twitter account on her Pinterest page.

The easy, final step is to add in the links to the rest of your artist social media accounts so fans can easily peruse all the happenings of your art business while you can hook them into buying your latest piece.

Pin some pieces with panache

Now that your account is up and looking good with the right information, it's time to start pinning. Cue excitement! To help your art business get more exposure, start by "pinning" a few of your favorite works to your Pinterest page.

There are a few ways to do this. It sounds daunting, but one of the easiest ways is to follow these directions to install a "Pin It" button to the top of your internet browser. So, whenever you are looking at your artwork on your website, you can click "Pin It" and a pop-up window will appear where you can select the image of the artwork and the board you want to save the piece to on Pinterest.

Why pin your own artwork?

Many reasons! First, it helps your artwork be seen by even more admiring eyes online. But what's equally important is making sure the pins are done correctly, so it actually benefits your art business.

What do we mean by pinning correctly? Start by adding your own description about the artwork you are saving with words like the style, medium, and your art business's name. Then when fans and potential buyers come across your art on Pinterest, all the details you wish them to know will be included in the image's description.

Again, adding in specific keywords to your description, such as "yellow and blue abstract painting," will help your art come up in the search results when collectors are trying to find the perfect piece.

Artwork Archive artist M. Jane Johnson includes lots of important details in the description of her art.

Also, when pinning your artwork yourself, you can double check to make sure the link to your website works when people click on the image of your art, which should work automatically with the "Pin It" button. With the right link attached to the image, people will be redirected back to your page of stunning, new pieces, so they can actually buy your artwork besides simply admiring it. Link not there? Click on the pin, hit "Edit", and add in your website's link.

Want to know the best part?

Then when people come across your pin, they can repin your art to their page which will already include all of the right information and have the correct link where they can buy it. Then all their followers will be able to see it and click right through to your art business!

Keep up with the community

Now that you've pinned a few of your pieces, you'll want to keep up with Pinterest as a whole. Being social by pinning and commenting on more than just your own work will help you not only establish networks and contribute to the larger artist community, but build up your credibility as an artist.

Need a few ideas? Besides pinning articles from your own artist blog, make an Art Marketing board and save blogs from art business experts like Felicity O'Connor or tips you've found useful on Artwork Archive's blog. Make an inspirational board dedicated to art quotes and new piece ideas or your favorite Edgar Degas paintings—anything that illustrates who you are as an artist will bolster your brand.

Artwork Archive artist Kelly O'Brien has Pinterest boards featuring not only her own art, but inspiration.

Don't forget this last rule about pinning! It is always good manners when someone pins your art to leave a comment saying thank you and maybe even give them more information about the piece. Follow anyone in the artist community—like interior designers and collectors—or any art-related board you find inspiring, because you never know what will lead someone to you or what will give you the next burst of inspiration.

Kick your copyright fears

Many artists have steered clear of Pinterest after hearing rumors about artwork getting ripped off and spread over the internet without the artists getting credit. The Abundant Artist's Cory Huff has acknowledged this issue, saying, "If it's a big deal for you, watermark your images." Simply use Canva to add in your website or art business name.

Artist Joanie Springer added a subtle watermark to the image of her painting "Sweetie Pie."

Art Biz Coach Alyson Stanfield's advice? Be aware of what's happening on Pinterest! "If you find that your work is being pinned on Pinterest without a proper link back to you, you have the right to ask that user to either remove the pin or provide correct attribution," advises Alyson.

What's the bottom line?

Pinterest can be one of the best marketing tools out there for artists. Pinterest users' feeds are all visual, which is perfect for displaying art. But unlike other social media channels, clicking on an image in Pinterest will lead you right to the source, making it so incredibly easy for fans to buy your art. Give your art business the boost it needs, and pin away!

For more Pinterest inspiration, check out "7 Fine Artists You Should Follow on Pinterest."

Drawing of Someone With Pins Thorugh Their Head

Source: https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/how-to-promote-and-sell-your-art-on-pinterest

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