journals about sales
Hi I really like journalling about my sales, for a number of reasons. Some people feel it’s akin to bragging and rather shallow, but there are different ways of going about a sales journal, so that they can also be interesting and newsy.
One great benefit of a sales journal is that customers who are first time buyers actually get to see products that are selling, and it helps to create a feeling of trust between the artist, the buyer and the manufacturer of the goods. I think that’s really important. I know myself, that as a potential customer, i really look for this type of thing before committing to buy.
What customer doesn’t want to see sales that have been successfully made prior to them purchasing something.
Journalling and blogging about sales, also allows me to draw attention to some of my older works and it reminds me that art that you’ve done a while ago, can still be appreciated… new work is always important and to keep it fresh and maintain a high standard, but it’s so wonderful when someone buys your work, and it’s nice to celebrate that a little.
It also reminds me, that series I did in the past, like the asia series, still has appeal…the more I dwell on it, the more inspired I become. Perhaps I think about doing another series of this type in the future…etc.
I also enjoy the additional opportunity we sometimes get in these journals for a bit more interaction with each other, when we have the time. It’s also a way of saying thank you to the buyer who remains anonymous, as was the case this afternoon, when I noticed I had a few sales, and so i thought I’d mention them here, as it’s not possible to thank them personally:
thank you so much to the buyers of these greeting cards from my early Asia Series
thank you also to the buyers of the above Christmas Cards, a reminder of how close we are getting to the 25th of December!! yikes…!
so sorry i haven’t been around much lately, there’s a lot going on my end, but i hope to be getting around to see your new works soon, i miss them and i miss you all… love karin
ps… i dunno if it’s my imagination or not, but after a sales journal, usually more sales follow
Steven Agius
Great write up Karin, also congrats on your latest sales well done.
Karin Taylor
replied
hey thank you Steve, good to see you too :)
MuscularTeeth
its your business, run it as you feel you should. if others dont like it, they dont have to look. as i said, its your artistic business.
Karin Taylor
replied
yes, that’s right too, there are different lines of thought about it, just felt I’d point out a few good reasons to do so if people feel inclined not to, it doesn’t have to be a negative thing to blog or journal about sales necessarily. It depends a little on how you go about it I guess…but it’s great to include other stuff in a sales journal so it’s a bit of fun as well.
Karin Taylor
replied
ps… i know it’s not your thing MT… so I appreciate your response :)
lacitrouille
Well, I’ve always enjoyed your sales journal my friend. They give me hope, and I’m glad for you too. :)
Karin Taylor
replied
thank you Josette, I appreciate that too, it’s nice that a sales journal could have the effect of building hope, because they can be hard to look at during times when sales are slow. I know myself, I’ve had slow times and although I am happy for the person, it has been hard… but I just use those feelings to make myself work harder on my art and pursuit of the goal… and i also try to remember that it’s all about the journey :) x
Carla Jensen
Congrats on the new sales …Karin!! It is always such wonderful News to here when a fellow artist has made a sale !! A Fantastic write up as well my friend!! WTG!!! =D
Karin Taylor
replied
...that’s cool Carla, i’m happy to hear that too, it’s really nice when people are genuinely happy and see it as good news :) xxx
MuscularTeeth
ha its only not my thing dear KT, because i dont near sell anything often enough to warrant a contiuned, regular posting about sales.
:)
i get visits, and evena few comments, but sales for me, is not like it is for you. but then of course i lack the formidable artistic talent of you dear sis.
Karin Taylor
replied
no way bruz, i won’t hear of it… you are a formidable artistic talent and it is i that is lacking in the many ways … i promise you :)
Pip Gerard
I completely agree with MT. And it is a perfect opportunity… like you said.. to highlight older works that new people to your watchlist have not seen. I have to admit.. .that many a time only through your journals have I taken better notice of some of your previous works. so it does work.
Karin Taylor
replied
...hey Pip that’s cool then, I know that I’ve often clicked on a work made by another member and been really interested, as I’d never seen that work before, I’ve really relished the community journals lately where they show some older works related to different photography techniques, it’s splendiferous to find new/old artists… wthout those i would never have seen those artists (although I know they’re not sales journals, but they still draw my attention to some older works and it’s like finding buried treasure lol)
Mui-Ling Teh
I agree with MT… Err… his initials are the same as mine… I agree with Mr. Teeth :P
I’ve always posted about sales myself (which tells I made very little :P); well, with exception to the one time you requested to make that card for Mitchell for sale as that was a unique situation; or b/c I win challenges and make sales as a prize. I had one other which the journal of was belated due to it being a busy time at school, but I eventually got to it. I usually don’t post about features as that is generally something that is done out of duty of the moderator or administrator; although I am thankful nonetheless when something of mine is chosen. But it’s different when its a sale; it’s more personal and touching; and so I’ve always posted them myself to show how thankful I am. It is also inspiring to see the number of sales you make; everyone here has a different pace with the sales but at least we can see it is not impossible to be a big seller.
Karin Taylor
replied
thank you very much its great hearing your perspective Mui-Ling, I have always loved reading your journals and updates and love to hear who bought your work, particularly so interested in your progress with the tiny treasures/origami works, everything you do is so exceedingly well thought out and planned…it’s fascinating and i love to learn more about you.
Mui-Ling Teh
I do hope to share more process work; I have so many things in mind I want share but haven’t gotten around it. It’s funny that despite not working now I feel so occupied; it’s because this is the time I can do more of the things that I cannot do while in school or working that I have the urge to do EVERYTHING :P. Also lots of re-organising to do and catching up on personal life after missing out on so much from the lack of summer vacation over 4 years. There is also my new participation in Zazzle which is still slowly progressing :P. Well since I decided to join it I gotta deal with the consequencse I guess :o)
Karin Taylor
replied
Hi Mui-Ling, i thank you for the comments over at zazz as well, i must apologise for my lack of, but i rarely get the chance to visit these days… i really still wanted to wish you well tho in that venture too, some people do great over there!
Barbara Glatzeder
I agree 100% :-)) xxx
Karin Taylor
replied
thx Barbara!! cooooooooooooool :) xxx
valzart
Absolutely !! some of us are trying to run a business so anything goes lol! sweetheART so keep ‘em coming ;} happy hippy hugglez
Karin Taylor
replied
cool thanx Val… lol…happy hipppy hugglez to you also :) xxx
AnitaInverarity
Congratulations Sweetie :))))) I couldnt agree more, I think journals are a good way to increase profile, discover new work, document your acheivements and offer encouragement too.
I remember starting out and it took months to sell anything, but other peoples sales journals gave me hope it could happen and its very exciting to see whats selling and celebrate each little success with fellow artists.
I know a lot of people dont do it, probably out of modesty, thats OK too- but I personally love a good old celebration- Wheeeeeeeee :)))))) xxxxxxx
blamo
Congrats Karin ….......... more journals …...............more sales which has to be good news
Isa Rodriguez
we love to hear of sales!. thanks , Karin.. and congratz . wow, Christmas? huh?
Linda Callaghan
congratulations on all sales karin….it is great to hear your good news…and should be shared! well done! x
Renee Dawson
Congratulations on the sales Karin! I always look forward to your journals – even if I don’t take the time to respond to each one. They are well written and who doesn’t love a story to accompany a new creation – the thought behind the work. I find your journals inspiring and smart and hope to find (make) the time to do them more frequently some day too!
Keith Richardson
Hi Karin. Your sales journals ALWAYS provide me with inspiration, and I often wish that others would also do it similarly. They help to give a feeling for what is so appealing to people that they are prepared to pay out $$.
I often bubblemail my purchasers, and ask them to feedback to me as to what it was motivated them to make the purchase, explaining that it was my form of market research – trying to understand what has happened. Their replies are often quite surprising to me, and at times not at all what I had imagined!
Thanks Karin, & congrats on your sales.
Keith
Voila and Blac...
Oh my God !! Karin ! your work rocks :))) very well deserved really :D Very happy for you xxx
ElYPares
I love to know how Artists that I am interested in are doing in sales. It is inspiring and I think most people are happy to see a fellow Artist do well. My best always to you and keep sharing. xo
GittiArt
I agree 100% dear Karin and congrats on all your sales …your work is so beautiful, delightful and refreshing …thanks for sharing …I guess I ill do the same in the future;
)......Have a wonderful and creative time !!!:)Ingz
I love your sales journals dear Karin, it’s so encouraging and inspirational…I love reading all of your journals even though I don’t always have the time to add a little comment xxxx
Mags Williamson
Great idea – thanks for sharing!
catherine walker
Good one karin..all so true and interesting..well done!
Rosalie Scanlon
Congrats Karin, and I agree with you, it does make the buyer feel better as the sale is appreciated, and it also brings forward (at times) some of your older work. Keep up the journals.
MoonSpiral
Great points Karin, of course we love these kind of journals in Journal Junkies ;o).
Jeannie Peters
congrats on your feature, well deserved, and well written.
F.A. Moore
Karin, congratulations on your sales. I’ve been loving the buyer’s market images that show your art framed and on the wall.
And now this journal. Your art is precious and beautiful.
You have certainly given me something to consider, too, as far as journaling the successes. I am one who had decided to go mute on them, including the features. But self-promotion, if its handled properly, is great for business and for building a network of good friends who are compatible with you and your goals in life. So I will be rethinking this….Thanks!
And again, Yay!!!!!!! Whoohoo!!!!! :D)
LionsRoar 12 days ago
Hey Karin, how’s it going? I was just wondering, how do you advertise? Like you sold all those cards in one setting? How does the popularity for that happen? And if it just happened, how does that work? Lol
LionsRoar 12 days ago
Lol, never mind, I just saw all the groups you have, lol. I still like to hear what you have to say.
Karin Taylor
replied 12 days ago
Hi … I have a blog, facebook, Twitter and have been painting and exhibiting since 2002… I hand out business cards and work 7-8 hours a day creating art In the studio. I’m very driven and motivated and work hard at self promotion … It hasn’t just happened, at first I had very few sales, but then I began selling my originals on eBay and developed a following of people who collected my original wirk, then created a website with images abd prices of my work, I outlayed $20000 to create a purpose built studio with a large format giclee printer and have a small business printing loose prints for other artists. I was pickedup by an art licensing agent 2 years ago through my presence on redbubble and also sell my works in Singapore through a collaboration with anitger rb, at one time was also selling my prints through gift stores in the UK. It’s been a lot of work forgery little gain, but I just love what I do. My husband has been very supportive also which helps greatly. I think the groups probably help too, but I wouldn’t say that’s the only reason for popularity. I do work very hard at my craft. I hope tgat helps to answer your question and thank you so much for asking me :)
Karin Taylor
replied 12 days ago
Apologies – forgery should read ‘for very’
LionsRoar 11 days ago
Wow! So you’ve made this like a full time, committed thing? Mind if I ask how much you make off of it? So cool you actually got a group of followers, so what do you say is an origenal? Because you weren’t well known at the time you started the E-bay thing were you? It does help a lot, thank you. I’ve thought about business cards before, just need to get around to it. Thank you so much!