Even though people don’t generally become artists to make money, there is still something very satisfying about selling your first piece of art. It does still take some time and effort on your part to make sure that you’re being paid what you and your artwork are worth, so keep these tips in mind when you have a piece that you want to sell.

Know Where to Sell

One of the most important parts of selling any artwork is knowing where to sell it. Fortunately, you have plenty of options available to you. While you might get lucky and find someone willing to buy your piece for a collection, you’re more likely these days to sell your work online. Online auction sites such as eBay or Webstore.com are good places to start looking for buyers, as are online marketplaces such as Etsy. You might also look at digital art galleries such as Ugallery that specialize in displaying artwork much like traditional brick-and-mortar galleries. The point is that there are several places online that allow you to sell your artwork, all without having to speak to anyone in person. You will need to familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions of any site you want to use.

Know What You’re Worth

Knowing how much to charge for your artwork is difficult, especially if you’ve never sold a piece before. As a rule, try not to undersell yourself. You know how much work goes into your art and how much you spend on supplies, so you should have a baseline of how much your work should cost. You can negotiate a little bit below that if you don’t think you’ll make a sale otherwise, but it’s not worth your time and effort to go too low when selling your work. At the same time, you need to be realistic with what you can accomplish. If someone is commissioning a piece from you, be realistic about how much it will cost and what you will be able to do.

Get All Commissions in Writing

If you do accept a commission or you have someone willing to purchase any of your work, make sure to get everything in writing. A written agreement will ensure that you will be paid the price you and your buyer agreed to. If you have any questions about drafting a contract for your work or tax laws regarding selling artwork, don’t be afraid to contact a lawyer for advice. Otherwise, keep creating artwork. As long as you keep creating good work, you will find someone willing to pay a good price for it.