calling artistic folk for poll

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calling artistic folk for poll

Downsizer Forum Index -> Small Business Questions, Ideas and Advice

Worth setting up online gallery or not?

Yeah, I use or would join new online gallery

60%

[ 6 ]

No way, bricks & mortar is the way to go

40%

[ 4 ]

Total Votes : 10

Author

Message

numberwang

Joined: 06 Jun 2009
Posts: 25
Location: South Wales

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 9:15 pm Post subject: calling artistic folk for poll

I'm pondering a escape plan from my current employment/career. I have a background in Art/Ceramics although my last 10 years employment has been in IT/business focused.

I'm getting a strong pull to do something I actually enjoy

both getting back into doing something creative, but also setting up a commercial gallery. My dilemma is on the gallery side whether it's worth starting something online as a side project, or is it something that really needs to be done in a physical sense from the outset???

Anyway my question to DS artists/makers (if the poll has worked!) is whether you would personally sign up with a gallery that had an online presence only....or are you happier dealing with brick & mortar galleries?

Happy to take thoughts & opinions on what's best for your current setup.

Thanks
NW

earthyvirgo

Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 7972
Location: creating prints in the loft, Gerlan

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 9:51 pm Post subject:

I probably wouldn't get involved with a gallery which was only online.

I think any artwork/creative work needs to be seen in the first instance. And I'd also want to hold and touch ceramics or textile based work.

An online gallery can definitely be used as a supplementary selling space but not the primary one, in my opinion.

I'm fairly sure that my online sales of original prints come from people who've viewed or previously bought my work from galleries.

EV

12Bore

Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Posts: 9089
Location: Paddling in the Mersey

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 10:27 pm Post subject:
What EV said, it's a tactile medium first and foremost, on-line sales would be secondary. Best of luck whichever you decide.

gz

Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8663
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Posted: Thu Sep 15, 11 7:24 am Post subject:
agree with EV, although I do sell on Etsy. Whereabouts in S Wales are you? I'm on duty in Court Cupboard, Abergavenny today and we have a pop up shop in the town this weekend. Galleries are struggling everywhere, and it is one way to cut costs although you lose touch with something tactile. There are a few online galleries already around, have you looked at how they present things?

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Thu Sep 15, 11 7:28 am Post subject:

my dilemma with any gallery, whether its b&m or online, is what it can offer me in addition to the places my work is already seen and whether the expense in commissions (and forgive me, I know gallery owners need to cover costs, but I generally feel that the 40-50% commission charged by galleries is far too steep to even contemplate) will be offset by a marked increase in exposure and sales.

If you have an exceptional marketing and mailing strategy that is going straight to the people with money and an inclination to buy, then I might consider it, but I'd want to see evidence of a fabulous sales strategy first. If you can offer that, then go for it!

numberwang

Joined: 06 Jun 2009
Posts: 25
Location: South Wales

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 11 8:03 pm Post subject:

Sorry for the long absence between asking questions & following up - probably not very good netiquette! Things a bit full-on work-wise & my life is not my own!!

Thanks for the replies, pretty much aligned with my gut feelings! If I go the gallery route it needs to be somewhere where people can see things in the flesh. While I've bought stuff on eBay occasionally, unless you know 100% what you're buying there is that element of risk.

Having looked into premises lease costs, rent & rates etc I totally get why they charge so much commission

I'd need to make a good few sales just to keep the lights on, let alone pay myself!

Sally brings up a good point - how much vetting do you usually do. As a former maker in my youth I was just grateful that galleries would take my stuff (!!!) I don't recall checking their marketing strategy was aligned with my personal goals... are makers just a lot more savvy these days, or something that comes with experience?!

numberwang

Joined: 06 Jun 2009
Posts: 25
Location: South Wales

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 11 8:21 pm Post subject:

At risk of talking to myself I realized the comments & the vote are at odds with each other! Currently the online option is more popular than b&m

One tiny follow up question if I may is for people selling via online galleries, are they doing it on a sale & return basis or other arrangement. If you's rather not say in public I'll happily take a PM (& be hugely grateful for the info - could even be life changing!!)

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