Instagram stands out as a prime platform for selling art on social media.  visual contents and offers a comprehensive suite of business tools that makes selling artwork easier for artists. 

You can sell artwork on Instagram in 2 ways- on the Instagram shop or by promoting an external online shop like Crowdfundly.

We’ll take you through the steps and considerables of both, and help you sell your artwork on Instagram effortlessly.

Let’s dive in

Why Sell Art On Instagram?

Instagram is a great platform for artists to sell their work. It has a large audience of potential buyers, and it's easy to use. Artists can create a profile, post pictures of their work, and connect with buyers directly. 

Here are some of the benefits of selling art on Instagram:

• Instagram has over a billion active users, so there’s a good chance that your work will be seen by a lot of people.
• You can set up a shop on Instagram and sell your work directly to buyers. This is a great way to make money from your art. 
• You can use hashtags and other marketing tools to promote your work on Instagram. This can help you reach more people and get more sales.

If you’re an artist, I encourage you to try selling your work on Instagram. It's a great way to reach a wider audience and make money from your art. 

3 Steps of Selling Art on Instagram Using Crowdfundly

Here are the steps to sell art on Instagram:

Step 1: Create An Instagram Creator Account 

The first step to selling art on Instagram is to create an Instagram creator account if you haven’t already. A creator account provides a more streamlined marketing experience and helps fans connect with your art. 

According to Instagram, the creator account is best suited for public figures, content producers, artists, and influencers. 

You can also switch your regular account to a business account. To switch-

• Go to settings
• Then navigate to ‘Settings and Privacy
• Choose ‘Creator Tools and controls
• Switch account type 
• Switch to a business account 
• Then choose a category such as ‘Artist’ 

Step 2: Choose The Website You Want To Sell Your Artwork On

You can sell on Instagram in 2 ways- sell on Instagram shop or lead them to your external shop. In the Business Manager, you can add your art with titles, prices, sizes, descriptions, and so on. 

However, switching between apps can be a hassle, so there is an easier way to sell on Instagram. You can share your external shop link on your Instagram bio and promote it through Instagram posts. 

One of the most famous websites for selling your art is Etsy. But it is disadvantageous due to the accumulating fees, lack of control over the store, and fierce competition. 

So, Crowdfundly can be a good option to sell your artwork and connect with your fanbase.

What is Crowdfundly?

Crowdfundly is a tool exclusively for creators to receive donations, recur support via memberships, and sell anything to the fans. 

With Crowdfundly, you can build your digital shop and sell your artwork there. You can also sell AI-generated art on Crowdfundly. 

Here are the steps to sell art on Crowdfundly-

• Create an account and set the payment getaway from the settings
• Go to ‘Shop’ in the sidebar and then choose ‘Digital Art’.
• Fill up the required details and set the pricing of your artwork.
• Choose ‘create’ and voila you will have your shop in 3 easy steps.  

To get the link, go to ‘View My Page’ from the menu bar on the topmost right corner, go to ‘Shop’, and click on the art you want to share. Copy the link and share it on your Instagram bio. 

Sell your artwork on Crowdfundly

Why do We Recommend Selling Artwork on Instagram with Crowdfundly?

We recommend selling artwork on Crowdfundly because- 

• You will be in 100% control of your shop
• There will be no middleman commission 
• And it only takes 2 minutes to set the shop up and list your 

Alternative: Using Facebook Business Page

To sell on the shop, you must also have a Facebook page for your business. Then you can sell your artwork by adding them to Facebook Business Manager. To set up shop-

• Go to Catalogue Manager from Business Manager.
• Then select Create Catalogue and choose the type of catalog.
• Fill in the catalog form with the required information. 
• Then fill in the required product details.
• After these steps are done, connect the catalog to your Instagram page. To connect, go to settings, choose connected Instagram profiles, and then choose Manage profiles. 
• After you submit the details, wait for Instaram’s approval.
• Then sign up for Instagram shopping within the app from settings.
• Lastly, share your shop. 

Step 3: Promote Your Artwork Across Instagram

You must promote your artwork or shop properly, otherwise, you won’t get the right audience. Proper promotion is needed for better exposure. Here are some tips on how to promote on Instagram properly:

Hashtags

Maximize your art’s exposure on Instagram by employing a strategic mix of hashtags, emphasizing low-density ones over high-density ones. To increase the visibility of your art on Instagram, leverage up to 30 distinct hashtags per post.

Here’s a list of our recommended hashtags for selling artwork on Instagram

1. #art
2. #artist
3. #fashion
4. #photography
5. #drawing
6. #instagood
7. #Instagram 
8. #photooftheday
9. #picoftheday
10. #pic
11. #photo
12. #style
13. #nature 
14. #painting 
15. #artistoninstagram
16. #illustration
17. #digitalart
18. #design
19. #sketch
20. #artsy
21. #artlife
22. #artista

Restrict high-density hashtags to around 1-3 per post. Uncover effective hashtags by examining those used by accounts akin to yours.

Tag Instagram accounts

Expand your art’s reach on Instagram by tagging up to 20 artists per post. This strategy can enhance your visibility and potentially circumvent Instagram’s algorithm if a tagged account reposts your artwork. 

To identify suitable accounts, explore trending hashtags on Instagram and discover posts by various artists. Assess their profiles to determine if they showcase art beyond their creations. 

Alternatively, seek out niche accounts that regularly curate art memes from diverse artists.

For instance, if your art focuses on mental health awareness, employ keywords like ‘self-care’ or ‘mental health’ to uncover relevant profiles. 

Conversely, if fantasy art is your niche, consider keywords like ‘witchy’, ‘occult’, or ‘astrology’ to locate pertinent accounts. 

Tag Art-Sharing Pages And Submit To Organisations

Get your art featured on art-sharing pages on Instagram, Like Dark Yellow Dot, which has a large audience interested in discovering new art. This can lead to a significant increase in followers and engagement. To be featured, artists simply need to tag their work with hashtags of the artists they want to be featured with. Also, join their communities by following them on Instagram. 

Add Alt Tags On Your Instagram Posts

Ever thought your Instagram photos could improve your Google ranking? It’s true! Adding ‘alt test’, a simple description of what’s in your image, helps search engines understand it, potentially boosting your SEO. Here’s how to add it: 

• Create a new post and upload your image
• Edit and filter as usual, then tap ‘Next’
• On the ‘New Post’ screen, scroll down and tap ‘Advanced settings’.
• Scroll further down and tap ‘Write alt text’.
• Briefly describe your image in 100 characters or less.

Engaging followers  

Beyond hashtags and account tagging, engaging your followers with interactive content is crucial.

Various methods exist to achieve this, but consistency and high-quality content are paramount. Instagram’s algorithm considers your activity level, so the more you post, the more likely you are to get noticed. 

One approach is to create art tutorials, personality quizzes, or Q&A polls. For example, incorporate personality test templates showcasing your art into your Instagram stories. 

Encourage viewers to tag you in their results. This is a highly effective strategy for increasing your art’s visibility on Instagram. 

In addition to posting regular content, artists can utilize Instagram Reels and Stories to share behind-the-scenes glimpses, such as order fulfillment, artwork progress, and new designs.

Live Instagram sessions offer a platform for artist-fan interaction, providing updates and sharing exciting news. IGTV serves as a channel to narrate personal brand stories or artistic journeys, inspiring viewers with stories of creativity and passion. 

Offering freebies or hosting giveaways is also an effective strategy to attract new followers and increase engagement. People are naturally drawn to the prospect of receiving free items.

For instance, you can create a dedicated highlight showcasing your custom-designed phone wallpapers. Ensure your IG username is prominently displayed on each freebie to make it easy for interested users to discover your profile.

Gather Social Proof and Positive Words of Mouth

Want people to trust your art? Tap into the power of social proof! 9 out of 10 folks trust positive buzz from fans, friends, and family more than anything else. So, how do you get them raving on Instagram?

Encourage them to tag you in

• Reviews and feedback: Unboxing videos, product quality assessments, excited reactions- get them to share their experiences!
• Showcasing posts: Merch in action? Let your fans model your art in photos and videos.

Make the most of it

• Screenshot and repost: Share their love in your stories!
• Save them in highlights: Create dedicated sections like ‘Reviews’ or ‘Happy Fans’ for lasting impact. 

By showcasing this social proof, you’ll build trust and attract even more art lovers!

Some Tips To Make Your Artwork Stand Out On Instagram

Now that your art is selling on social media platforms, let’s turn it into a bustling art market. Remember, just like a physical store, a messy, dull space won’t entice customers. So, let’s spruce it up and attract those art buyers. 

Craft a compelling bio

Instagram bio that grabs attention and tells your story! Briefly mention:

• Where you create your magic (your location)
• What you offer (art prints, commissions, originals?)
• Any exciting news (a sale? New collection)

Be concise and creative as you only have 150 characters. 

Captivate buyers with stunning art photos

High-quality images are your secret weapon on Instagram. Just like a dazzling window display, they entice viewers and urn casual scrollers into art enthusiasts. Here’s the recipe for success:

Focus and light:

• Crystal clear: Blurry photos are a deal-breaker. Ensure sharp focus and proper lighting to showcase every detail of your artwork.
• Bright and inviting: poor lighting creates murky shadows and holds your art’s true beauty. Utilize natural light or set up a well-lit space with diffusers for illumination.

Background and composition:

•  Less is more: Avoid distracting clutter! Opt for clear backdrops that let your art take center stage. White walls, textured fabrics, or minimalist props can create a sophisticated canvas. 
• Eye-catching arrangements: Play with angles, close-ups, and negative space to create visually compelling compositions. Don't be afraid to get creative. 

Editing 

• A touch of magic: Editing can enhance your photos, but tread lightly. Subtle adjustments to brightness, contrast, and color temperature can add polish without distorting your art. 
• Truth in beauty: Remember, authenticity matters. Excessive filtering or edits that misrepresent your artwork will ultimately erode trust with potential buyers. 

Find inspiration:

Browse successful art accounts on Instagram and see how they use visuals to their advantage. Learn from their lighting choices, background styles, and compositional techniques. 

By investing in high-quality images and presenting your art in its best light, you’ll transform your Instagram profile into a captivating gallery that attracts art lovers and drives sales. Remember, your stunning creations deserve to be seen in their most vibrant glory. 

FAQ

Do I Need A Business Licence To Sell Art On Instagram?

No, a business license isn’t necessary or mandatory for selling art on Instagram, it’s wise to be mindful of the platform’s policies and requirements for ‘Shopping’ features. Ensure your art business complies with these guidelines to avoid any bumps on your selling journey. 

Which is Better- Selling Art Prints vs Digital Art on Instagram?

Both of the ways of selling art have their benefits. For higher perceived value and tangible connection, go prints. For global reach and easy scaling, embrace the digital realm. Both options have pros and cons, so analyze your art, audience, and resources before making your choice. You can even offer both for maximum impact.

How Easy Is It To Sell Art On Instagram?

It is very easy to sell art on Instagram as it thrives on connection and community. Instead of just pushing sales, focus on building genuine relationships with your audience and key influencers. Think of it like attending a social gathering: engage with others, showcase your art authentically, and identify those who hold authority or sway in your artistic circle. By fostering valuable connections, you’ll cultivate a loyal following and organic interest in your work, leading to more sustainability in the long run. 

Parting Words

Now that you know how to sell art on Instagram, embark on your journey of selling art on Instagram. The opportunities for generating income through social media are vast, so if you’ve aspired to sell your art on Instagram, now is the perfect time to transform your ambition into reality.