Social Media Platform and Business

Before starting the course, I had already set up a Facebook page for my artwork and an online print store to sell artwork. Whilst on the course, I've been expanding both of these and learning to build an audience.

www.facebook.com/LukeTomlinsonArt

My page currently stands at having 209 likes, which in business terms means if I post anything new, 209 people are subscribed to see that post (depending on their news feed).
I tend to post on this page regularly to keep interest and I've learned it's key to engage with the followers in order to grow as a business. People like the personal quality to this as it singles them out as individuals, rather than me being a faceless business.
On my page, I regularly update content including the profile picture, cover photo, any awards or press releases I've had and my most recent addition is a call-to-action button.
This button allows users to visit my print website.

www.redbubble.com/people/lucafon18

On this website, I can upload my artwork as designs for prints, and then the company itself does the printing work for me. Redbubble takes a substantial cut of the profits of 80%, but seeing as how they manufacture and distribute the product while I can work on another piece, I see this as an early way to make money selling artwork.
In most cases, when I upload work to Redbubble, I cut a transparent background around the image. This makes printing on T-shirts look better, as rather than have a blocked out background, instead just the character is printed on a variety of coloured shirts.

Example of a cut painting for T-Shirts

In order for my customers to know of new products and encourage them to visit my Redbubble page, I constantly create marketing tools using my Facebook page. Whenever a new item or collection has been added to Redbubble, I show off the product and post a link to engage with the audience.

An example of one of my advertisements

 I've found that more people engage with posts that include images or video, so I use this to my advantage.
I've currently sold 17 designs on my page and the way payment works is when I've sold £60 worth of designs I am paid. This persuades me to make as much artwork as possible, because the more I have on the website, the more a chance I have to sell work.

Over on my Facebook page, I've also sold commissions including watercolour paintings, acrylic paintings and pencil drawings. Through selling my artwork, I've learnt about what sells more to the public, which characters get more attention and which media people prefer to see.

Some examples of commissions I have done in the past. These include portraits and personalized pieces. I always photograph my work as best I can and adjust areas in photoshop.

Using social media has really proved useful to me as along with making money from my artwork, I've also been sought out by other artists asking for advice and most recently been selected to exhibit in an upcoming 'Blackburn is Open' project.

Promotional graphic I created to build hype for an upcoming exhibition.