Sage advice on online retail marketplaces?

I’m a newcomer, trying to find a niche in the Artisan/craft market, and in need of some timely, sage advice.

I am sure that it is a common dilemma, but, the products I have been able to develop so far (see photo), sell well retail, but take too long to make to consider selling them wholesale at a 100% markup, although I might be able to mark them up, say 30%.

Even selling retail at full price, I need to stay in the shop as much as possible. I don’t see how I could manage to do more than a few retail shows a year maybe four at the most. Not enough to sell what I would need to produce (unless I am doing the wrong shows).

I have a website and see a lot of good advice on line about how to drive traffic to it, but don’t see how I could possibly find time to do it (unless I could clone myself).

So, my question is;

I know there are sites online that will sell your product for you (presumably having their own followers), for either a yearly fee, or a percentage of the sale. Is it reasonable to think that I could actually sell this way? Has anyone had success on a site like this? Which one? How many of these sites would I have to belong to?

Any other suggestions, would it be possible to find someone to market for me? It seems like a savvy person could market for two or three others for a more reasonable commission.

Do artists sometimes share booth fees and selling responsibilities, so that they can maximize the number of shows they can attend?

Sorry for so many questions but if I keep trying this trial and error I will be broke soon.

Hi,

I actually own one of those sites you are looking for and you can find more information by going to https://bmp-fine-art.com/about-featured-artists to learn more about it.

It is a new site so i make no promises, but the good news is I work on a split commission structure and i dont require exclusivity so there is no financial risk if you are interested.

I started the site specifically to help talented artists who love creating but hate selling, i love selling and i love art which makes me an odd bird but perfect for this business.

We work very closely with our artists and are working to build a quality presence focused on the introducing customers to the artists and their vision and not just selling pretty pictures. As I said you can learn more by going to the site and if you are interested we can discuss it further.

I can also tell you that you are 100% right about traffic, it is a full time job and requires hours each day just to do that so don't feel frustrated its not an easy thing and you are not alone in this aspect. in fact the biggest problem with even the biggest online sites like etsy or fine art america is that while the site itself gets plenty of traffic you are one of tens of thousands and if you want people to find YOUR work you still have to do all the time and effort of marketing and advertising to people so they can find you.

also, because this is my niche even if you dont decide to work with me feel free to ping me with any questions you have ill be more then happy to share what knowledge i have and advise you to the best of my ability.

Replies

brian murphy February 22, 2017 at 4:57pm

Hi,

I actually own one of those sites you are looking for and you can find more information by going to https://bmp-fine-art.com/about-featured-artists to learn more about it.

It is a new site so i make no promises, but the good news is I work on a split commission structure and i dont require exclusivity so there is no financial risk if you are interested.

I started the site specifically to help talented artists who love creating but hate selling, i love selling and i love art which makes me an odd bird but perfect for this business.

We work very closely with our artists and are working to build a quality presence focused on the introducing customers to the artists and their vision and not just selling pretty pictures. As I said you can learn more by going to the site and if you are interested we can discuss it further.

I can also tell you that you are 100% right about traffic, it is a full time job and requires hours each day just to do that so don't feel frustrated its not an easy thing and you are not alone in this aspect. in fact the biggest problem with even the biggest online sites like etsy or fine art america is that while the site itself gets plenty of traffic you are one of tens of thousands and if you want people to find YOUR work you still have to do all the time and effort of marketing and advertising to people so they can find you.

also, because this is my niche even if you dont decide to work with me feel free to ping me with any questions you have ill be more then happy to share what knowledge i have and advise you to the best of my ability.
- James Kimbriel > brian murphy February 25, 2017 at 4:12pm
  
  Hi Brian,
  
  I appreciate your reaching out to me. I looked at your site, and will contact you, maybe early next week.
  
  James
Ellen Gordon May 17, 2015 at 10:44am

Many thanks for such an interesting conversational thread! James, your work is lovely, and you are certainly grappling with all usual questions we face. Interesting to see your thinking evolve over the months of this discussion.

Not sure I can add anything useful (others have already suggested uncommongoods.com and artfulhome.com). I've been curious about Supermarket.com, but haven't really looked into it. It appears to be targeted to a bit more of a hipster/youthful audience than I go after, but the product quality and originality seem high, and the prices solid, not super discounted, as on etsy. (I'd be happier if their search function was more prominent, but . . . )

As you've said you're not really going after custom work any more, this may not be of interest, but http://www.custommade.com/ seems like an interesting business model you may want to check out.

Other than that, it sounds like you're doing all the right things: research, trying things, tweaking, etc. that we all do to find the right product for the right outlet . . . And continually re-tweaking to keep on top of market shifts! Your work is very handsome and unusual - hope you will stick it out and find a way to market it that works for you!
Kathleen V. Smith May 10, 2015 at 12:03am

Hi James! I would put Art Fairs out of your mind for the moment as I agree with Larry. You DO, however have a very nice product & I hope the information I give you helps. I have done the Minnesota State Fair in the "Heritage Square" section years ago with my Stained Glass & Jewelry, so I know the people there very well. What was then Heritage Square is now the "West End Market." In my travels, I believe that the MINNESOTA State Fair is one of, if not the BEST State Fair out there~it truly IS!

If you can stay home for several months building up stock as you will need ALOT of it, this is where I really think you will sell well! If you can make chickens or farm items, they would go well too!

The person you want to get in contact with is Pam Simon. If she is not in, contact Jim Sinclair & tell him Kathleen Smith sent you. Pam is the one in charge of the West End Market, & if they are full, perhaps Jim will have another location suggestion for you. Good Luck to you!
- Larry Berman > Kathleen V. Smith May 10, 2015 at 1:13am
  
  Hi Kathleen, you just reminds me. From early in my art show career, I knew a lot of New England crafts people who did the Big E. http://www.thebige.com the state fair in Massachusetts.
  
  Larry Berman
  - Chris Hoyt > Larry Berman May 17, 2015 at 7:12am
    
    I know a number of fellow exhibitors who do the Big E.
    
    17 Days, 12 hours a day. You sign up for the duration and must be open the entire time.
    
    One is a potter who developed a line of stoneware mushrooms for landscaping. It's just him and his wife. The first year they did the Big E they made over $35,000. Last September was their fourth year, and he says the sales were every bit as good.
    
    I have a friend who is in the Vermont Building, and he always says sales are fantastic.
    
    But the one thing everybody tells me is, sales completely die after dinner because the younger crowd shows up. Everyone is there for the entertainment or the fun.
  - Kathleen V. Smith > Larry Berman May 10, 2015 at 1:29am
    
    YEAH!! THE BIG E!!! Aside from the Great Minnesota State Fair~The Big E is like the Cadillac of State Fairs! I was going to apply, but that is when I started traveling doing Art Fairs full-time. That is REALLY hard to get into & SUPER expensive, however I am quite sure that customers in Massachusetts are more willing to part with their $$$ than the mighty midwest (LOL). I don't want to discourage you James, because you could very well have the RIGHT product & it may not be so hard to get in! I don't know why I didn't think of the Big E!! Good idea Larry! Something to check out I would say James.
    - Chris Hoyt > Kathleen V. Smith May 17, 2015 at 7:22am
      
      The Big E is more than just Massachusetts. It's really a "New England State fair". All five new England states are represented and each state has its own building that showcases the products of that state.
      
      My friend who is in the Vermont building sells.... Maple syrup that he produces in his own sugarhouse.
      - Kathleen V. Smith > Chris Hoyt May 17, 2015 at 12:51pm
        
        James K.,
        
        You better believe they sell...BUT LOCATION is the key. Usually a State Fair has a section for handcrafted or ART & customers KNOW where they are as they are there every year! You make tons of contacts & it is a KILLER with the hours, but just schedule nothing close to it for a couple weeks to recoup! IF you have the RIGHT product, it iS worth it!!! Hey, if your daughter missed the application date, she should STILL at least try & show them what she has, as they may put her on top of the cancellation list, as people do cancel sometimes...worth a try.
    - James Kimbriel > Kathleen V. Smith May 16, 2015 at 12:03pm
      
      Hi Kathleen,
      
      This is some thing I never thought of! When Larry had mentioned State Fairs earlier, it hadn't registered. I had been told never to try to sell at an event where the people had come for some other reason besides shopping. But I do believe you when you say that people do sell at these specific events. It looks like you can sign up to sell as many days as you want up to seventeen days (the Big E). Many seem to be staying the whole seventeen days (they must be selling!).
      
      We have a daughter in Boston so this will be a good excuse to see her and check out the show (I think I have already missed the application date).

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