Ohkay, let’s talk about one of the most asked questions I get in my DMs: “How do you get international clients for your art?” It's not some secret formula, but if you're in this game long enough, you’ll learn that the magic happens where persistence meets strategy.
So, how did I do it? I started by selling my work on Saatchi Art, and to be honest, that platform gave me my first big break in the U.S. and Canada markets. If you haven’t heard of Saatchi Art, it’s a place where you can showcase your work to a global audience. But here's the best part for those of us who get a little freaked out by the whole payment and shipping process: Saatchi Art handles all of that for you. I get it, those logistics can be terrifying when you’re first starting out, and so platforms like this are perfect for learning the ropes. They take care of payments, and they even arrange shipping. You just focus on your art.
Now, full disclosure—it’s not all rainbows and smooth sailing. Saatchi Art is time-consuming, and yeah, it eats a good chunk of your earnings through commissions and shipping fees. But here’s the thing: once you’ve made those initial sales and gotten your art out into the market, you’ve built relationships with collectors. That’s when you can start thinking about setting up your own website. And guess what? No more commission cuts. It’s all you.
But here’s the thing: it’s not a one-time transaction, like "Hey, thanks for buying my art!" and then poof, they disappear into the abyss. No. You need to keep those connections alive. Every time I created new pieces or got featured in an exhibition, I made sure to keep my collectors in the loop. I mean, who doesn’t like a little behind-the-scenes action, right? It’s like giving them a sneak peek into your creative world, and trust me, it makes them feel special. And that little effort? It pays off big time in building long-term relationships. Plus, the more they see your art evolving, the more they start to appreciate its growing value.
Now, let’s be real for a second. Tapping into international markets isn’t just about putting your art out there and hoping someone across the globe clicks "Buy Now." It’s a mix of strategy and hustle. One of my favorite hacks? Stalk—I mean, follow—artists from the countries you want to target. I’m talking about checking out their followers, engaging with them, commenting on posts (but, like, genuine comments, okay?), and just getting your presence out there. It’s like creating little ripples until someone important notices.
And while we’re at it, do not skimp on your photography. Seriously, people can’t hold your art in their hands (yet), so the next best thing is a killer photo. Keep your presentation clean and professional, because first impressions matter, a lot. If your work looks like it was photographed with a potato, you might want to step it up.
Oh, pricing. Ugh, the dreaded topic. Look, when I was starting out, I made sure to be reasonable with my pricing. That doesn’t mean undercutting yourself to the point where you’re working for free, but be realistic. Once your network grows and your work starts getting more recognition, you can adjust your prices accordingly. Just don’t scare potential buyers away by pricing too high too soon.
It takes time, patience, and a bit of savvy, but once you start building those relationships and putting your art in front of the right eyes, things start to move. The key is to keep at it. So, if you’re looking to break into the international market, start small, be consistent, and, eh, maybe spend some time stalking artists who are where you want to be. It worked for me