Subtotal
$0.00
Congratulations on your first art order! This is an exciting milestone in your journey as an artist. The process that follows the sale is crucial to ensuring a positive experience for both you and the buyer. In this article, we will outline the key steps you should take after making your first art sale, including confirming order details, communicating effectively with the buyer, securing payment, preparing and shipping the artwork, post-sale follow-up, and record-keeping.
Step 1: Confirm the order details
Before proceeding with anything else, carefully review the order details. Verify the size, medium, subject, and any special requests the buyer may have made. It’s essential to ensure that every detail matches the buyer’s request to avoid any misunderstandings.
If you have any doubts or questions about the order, communicate them promptly to the buyer. Establish a clear understanding of their expectations and get confirmation on any details you are unsure about. This step can prevent potential issues and ensure that the buyer receives exactly what they ordered.
Step 2: Communicate with the buyer
Once you’ve reviewed the order, send a confirmation message to the buyer. Thank them for their purchase and confirm their shipping address. Provide an estimated delivery timeline so the buyer knows when to expect their artwork. This is a great way to begin building a positive relationship with your buyer.
Remember to give them your contact details and let the buyer know they can reach out to you if they have any questions. Keep the buyer updated on the progress of their order. Effective communication helps build trust and ensures that the buyer feels valued and informed throughout the process.
Step 3: Arrange payment
Before shipping the artwork, ensure that the payment is secured and complete. Use trustworthy platforms like PayPal, Stripe, or bank transfer to process the transaction. Be cautious of potential scams and always confirm the transfer before proceeding.
Make it a point to create and send a professional receipt to the buyer. The receipt should include the artwork title, price, and payment confirmation details. Sending a prompt receipt reflects professionalism and helps maintain clear records for both you and the buyer.
Step 4: Prepare the artwork for shipping
To ensure your artwork arrives in perfect condition, gather high-quality packaging materials such as bubble wrap, foam boards, sturdy boxes, and packaging tape. You can find all of these items at your local post office or office supply store. Additional materials like cardboard corners can provide extra protection during transit. It’s important to note that investing in good quality supplies and shipping will reflect well on your professionalism; after all, you are running a business. When looking into packaging materials and shipping services, consider which of your options is both economical and efficient.
After securing the tools you’ll need to ship, carefully wrap the artwork using protective layers to prevent any damage. Pay special attention to the corners, which are most prone to damage. A general rule of thumb for the box size you choose for the piece should be that the artwork has around 2 inches of buffer on all sides.
Use ample padding inside the box to keep the artwork from moving during shipping. Consider double-boxing your piece, which adds an extra layer of security.
Make sure you choose a reliable shipping service that offers tracking and insurance options. While this might be a bit more costly, it ensures that both you and the buyer are covered in case of any issues during delivery. Make sure to communicate and confirm who will cover the shipping costs. Once the artwork is shipped, provide the buyer with the tracking number. This allows them to monitor the delivery process and adds an extra layer of transparency to the transaction.
Step 5: Follow up after the sale
After the delivery, follow up with the buyer to ensure the artwork arrived safely and in good condition. This step shows that you care about their satisfaction and are ready to address any issues or concerns they might have.
This is a great opportunity to encourage the buyer to join your mailing list or follow you on social media for updates on future artworks. Building a connection with your buyers can lead to repeat sales and word-of-mouth referrals, which are invaluable for any artist. Once you have their contact information, you can add them to a contact list. Keeping an organized list of all of your contacts, including your buyers, gives you a reference point for future sales, newsletters, and promotional updates, helping you maintain a solid customer base.
Step 6: Maintain record keeping
Beyond keeping a contact list, we also highly advise maintaining a record of all art sales and transactions. Maintain comprehensive records of each sale, including buyer information, artwork details, and payment confirmations. This practice not only keeps you organized but also helps in case there are any disputes or questions about the sale in the future.
Additionally, update your online portfolio or website to mark the sold artwork as unavailable. Keeping your portfolio current gives prospective buyers an accurate view of what is still in stock and prevents overselling.
Conclusion
Congratulations again on making your first sale. Reflect on the sales process and consider any feedback from the buyer to identify areas for improvement. Use these insights to enhance the experience for your future buyers. Selling art can be a fulfilling endeavor, and with each sale, you will learn more about how to sell your art more effectively.
RevArt SMART Manager helps you, as an artist, monitor and manage each process in the after sales follow up….
Remember, each step in the selling process is crucial to building a strong reputation as an artist. By following these guidelines, you can ensure a smooth transaction, create lasting relationships with your buyers, and set yourself up for future success in the art market.