12 ways to sell your art without social media

12 ways to Sell Your Art Without Social Media

I was recently asked if I could create a video on how to sell art using social media. And whilst I’d love to grow a larger following on platforms like Instagram and eventually sell more of my work there, the truth is that I sell most of my artwork using other methods. I'm successfully building my art business without relying on social media for sales.

I wanted to share some tips on how you can sell art without social media, whether it's because you prefer not to go that route or are having trouble building a large following. Growing on social media can be especially challenging right now, so your time and effort might be more effectively spent on other strategies. That’s not to say that I don’t think social media is a valuable way of interacting with a growing a following, it’s still a big target of mine to grow on these platforms but the key is to diversify how you reach your target audience and determine which methods work best for you.

Keep a Portfolio

My first piece of advice is to have a dedicated space for your portfolio—somewhere you can showcase photos of your previous artwork and current pieces available for sale. If you do commission work, include photos of past commissions along with testimonials from satisfied clients. I’m a strong advocate for having your own website, and platforms like Wix or Squarespace make it easy to set one up. If you're not ready to commit to a website or don’t want to pay the annual fees, you could use an online marketplace like Etsy. It’s affordable to start a shop on Etsy, but keep in mind that they charge a significant commission on sales. I’ve made an entire video about my experience selling on Etsy, which you can watch here. You could also create a porftfolio on online galleries where you pay a small fee to submit artworks for sale and then pay a commission on top when you make a sale.

Craft Fairs and Art Markets

If you'd prefer not to have your portfolio online, another option is to participate in local shows and art fairs. In my opinion, these are a cost-effective choice. You can select which fairs or markets to attend, with some being more expensive than others, but once you've covered the registration fee, any sales you make are entirely yours—there’s no commission taken.

Use Relevant Keywords

If you decide to create your own website and want to drive more traffic to it, there are several steps you can take. One key strategy is implementing SEO (Search Engine Optimization), which involves using relevant keywords that search engines like Google can easily recognize. While it may take some time to see results, starting early will help your site get indexed faster. Although SEO is a broad field, you don’t need to be an expert to get started. There are plenty of resources available, including YouTube tutorials, that can walk you through the process.

Local Events

I’m part of a local art group called Horsham Artists, and each year we organize two events. The first is an art trail, where the public is invited to visit open studios set up around town, either in people's homes or local businesses displaying their artwork. The second event is an art fair, where participants set up stands in the town hall to showcase their work. Both events are always well received, and traditional marketing methods like handing out flyers, putting up signs around town, and word of mouth work well since the events are held annually. You might want to look for something similar in your area, or if nothing exists, consider starting something yourself.

Word of Mouth

Networking and word of mouth remain some of the most effective ways to sell art. Be sure to regularly engage with people in your community, and don’t hesitate to share what you do. Many artists avoid talking about their work due to fear of criticism, but it's important to promote yourself. Additionally, ask satisfied clients to provide feedback and testimonials—this helps demonstrate not only the quality of your art but also your customer service, building trust with potential buyers. If you're just starting out, it takes time to build a reputation, but selling to friends and family can create a snowball effect, as they’ll spread the word to others.

Painting a design for some greeting cards and bookmarks.

Approach Local Businesses

Contact local businesses, such as cafes and farm shops, to see if they’d be interested in displaying your art. This is something that is on my list of goals for next year. I have thoughts of approaching dog friendly businesses like hotels and cafes. Many may be happy to do this for free, as it enhances their space with artwork while giving you the chance to showcase your work to a wide audience—a win-win situation. You could also see if they would have space to display some of your cheaper price point items like greeting cards – they may ask for a small commission. Make up some business cards and flyers with all your details on and ask the business if they aill display these alongside the painting so that people have a way of contacting you either if they would like to buy an original or commission you to do a painting.

Traditional Marketing

Traditional marketing methods can still be highly effective. You could do a leaflet drop in your local area, October/November is a great time of year to do it as people are starting to think about Christmas gift ideas. Another option is to create posters and display them in available spots around town. You might also consider placing a small ad in a local magazine. If you're a pet portrait artist like I am, you have access to a wide network of pet owners. Introduce yourself and promote your services at places like vet clinics, kennels, dog walkers, and pet shops.

Email Newsletter

An email newsletter is a great way to connect with others and share updates. I’m currently working on the first edition of my newsletter, which I plan to use not only to showcase my work but also as a resource for fellow artists growing their businesses. Each month, I’ll share a breakdown of the projects I’ve been working on, along with the amount of time spent on each task—whether it’s commissions, creating YouTube content, updating my website, communicating with clients, or managing social media.

Public Spaces

Paint or draw in local places and have some business cards next to you. This one definitely takes guts and confidence but could you take a piece you are working on to an area in public so that people can see you painting. If people come over for a chat then have a stack of business cards you can hand out or leave them on a little table or chair next to you so they can come and take one.

Start a Blog

Another option to consider is starting a blog, which you can easily integrate into your website if you have one. Blogs are an excellent way to incorporate keywords into your content. Alternatively, you can create a blog on platforms like Substack, Blogger, or WordPress—many of which are free and simple to set up. A blog can be a great space to showcase your artwork, discuss your creative process, and build a regular subscriber base.

Enter Art Competitions

Consider submitting your work to art competitions, as this can help you gain exposure and potentially get your artwork featured in a gallery or magazine. As a wildlife artist in the UK, you might look into the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year competition, or the annual competitions run by the popular Artists & Illustrators magazine. Both offer great opportunities to showcase your talent and reach a wider audience.

Feature in Publications

And speaking of getting your work featured in a magazine, consider reaching out to publications that align with your subject matter and artistic style. Don’t wait for them to come to you, instead write your own article with a unique angle, and submit it to several magazines to see what opportunities come up. This could offer fantastic exposure, especially if they include a link to your website. Additionally, you could write a blog post about the experience, giving you valuable content to share with your audience. Again this is something that is on my list of targets for next year.

Grow on Pinterest

Contrary to popular belief, Pinterest is more of a search engine than a social media platform. I started a new Pinterest account for my business this year, and I've already seen impressive results—some of my pins from months ago are still being repinned. Unlike Instagram, where posts have a short lifespan, Pinterest pins can continue to gain traction for months or even years. Plus, Pinterest is less competitive than Google, making it easier for your art to get discovered. I use pins to link directly to my Etsy shop, website, blog posts, and YouTube videos. It's a great way to connect your products to potential customers, especially when they're browsing for gift ideas. Since Pinterest users are often looking to make purchases, it can lead to higher conversion rates as well.

I hope you found this helpful and have identified a few methods you'd like to try for selling your artwork. Remember, social media isn't the only way to sell your work—there are many other strategies you can explore as well, good luck!

12 ways to sell your art without social media