It’s rough out there, we know. To turn a creative passion into a career is no easy feat, met with boundless obstacles along the way. Rest assured that even the most famous artists have battled fear and self-doubt along the way without the added anxiety of the seemingly limitless talent and competition brought forth by the Internet. The internet has without a doubt revolutionized access and opportunity within the art market. If you’re not using it to actively market your work and connect with art lovers around the world, you should be. And you better believe every other artist is as well. This, of course, is Saatchi Art’s mission and the unique value that online galleries can offer: showcasing your work in front of an international audience of millions of collectors. If you’re still wondering if you should sign up for Saatchi Art, we’ve put together this helpful FAQ just for you, “Why Sell?”

We’ve also gone ahead and asked our curators at Saatchi Art to weigh in on common questions they hear from artists seeking recognition in the digital age. Read on to hear their answers to these 5 frequently asked questions… 

1. What’s the best way to be discovered?

We can’t stress this enough (though we’ll try): make the most of online platforms! Use social media sites, like Instagram and Facebook, to reach a wider audience – be sure that collectors and curators do. Joining an online gallery means you can reach a vast global audience who are looking to find artists they love. As an online gallery, Saatchi Art is free and open to all artists, offering the opportunity for your work to be seen by collectors from all over the world – last year we sold work to collectors in over 70 countries.

2. How important is it to have gallery representation?

The world is changing and having representation from a brick and mortar gallery is no longer the only way to show your work. Many artists are now able to market themselves and sell most of their works online through online galleries and their own websites. The audience for buying art is growing, particularly online, which is why it’s so beneficial to have an online presence where you can reach a global audience. We started Saatchi Art because there are so many artists working away in their studios who never get visited by galleries, who now have the ability to extend their artistic practice beyond those walls.

3. Is it my role as an artist to seek out galleries, so many of which do not like or welcome submissions, or wait for an invitation?

Waiting for a gallery to approach you could take years, as they are limited to showing 10-12 artists a year. In the meantime, work on building up your CV by finding a community or collective of like minded artists to organize shows with, utilizing online platforms, and social media. Brick and mortar galleries and curators use and scout through online galleries and social media platforms to find new artists, so keep your accounts consistent and up to date. If you’re new to social media, read our guides to get you started.

4. What can an artist do to stand out amongst an image saturated world and connect with potential collectors?

It seems simple but in order to stand out, channel your individuality into your work. Building a signature sense of style is a breath of fresh air for curators who are most impressed when great ideas are realized through brilliant execution. It’s important to give your work some context by showing pieces on your studio wall or in a gallery. Be persistent with showing new work on social media and with an online gallery. Every day collectors ask us for more information about artists on Saatchi Art they like, so providing relevant info at the outset is really beneficial. Collectors might want to know where you studied, exhibition history and any statement about your work. One of the best ways to promote your work and increase your visibility on Saatchi Art is to have a well-organized, well-photographed portfolio with high-resolution images and detailed information about you and your artwork.

 5. How does an emerging artist find the correct monetary value for their art?

When pricing your work, it’s important to adopt a consistent fact-based price structure. As an artist, you should be prepared to explain how and why you set your price – but don’t sell yourself short! You need to factor in the cost of labor, materials, experience, and make sensible comparisons with works that are selling by other artists at the same stage. The price of your artwork should also include any packaging costs you might incur if the work sells. Compare your art to what sells, not what does not sell. It’s a good idea to have artworks in a range of prices, as this will widen the net of people who may be interested in your work.

Being a part of Saatchi Art allows you access to curators who can offer advice on your prices! Our price structure works such that the artist receives 70% of any sale of their work on the site, and the collector pays shipping costs.