Selling art on Instagram: Tips to boost your sales and followers

Instagram offers a powerful platform for showcasing your creative artwork, connecting with potential buyers, and building a loyal fan base. You can turn your artistic talent into a thriving business by leveraging this photo-sharing platform's features effectively. 

This article will explore practical tips for selling art on Instagram; from optimizing your profile to engaging effectively with your audience and turning your beautiful art into sellable products. It doesn't matter if you are just starting out as an e-seller or already established and looking to refine your existing approach, these tips will boost your Instagram sales immensely.

• Instagram provides a vast platform for artists to showcase and sell their work, using features like shoppable posts and Stories to drive sales and build a loyal following.

• Create a Business or Creator account using professional tools. Optimize your profile with a straightforward bio, professional images, and links to your store.

• Share cohesive feed aesthetics to showcase your art effectively, using consistent colors and themes to attract and retain followers.

• Utilize Instagram Stories, Reels, hashtags, and ads to engage with your audience, increase visibility, and drive sales through interactive content and targeted advertising.

• Leverage print on demand services like Gelato to turn your art into custom products, diversify your offerings without upfront costs, and focus on creative growth.

Absolutely! Instagram offers artists an excellent platform to showcase and sell their work by utilizing features like shoppable posts and Stories.

While success stories might seem to happen overnight, building a thriving art business on Instagram takes dedication and a well-thought-out strategy. The key lies in cultivating a loyal community that appreciates your art and supports your creative journey.

Leveraging the power of this social media platform can help artists boost their sales and gain more followers. Let’s uncover practical tips and strategies to navigate the intricacies of selling art on Instagram.

1. Set up a business account

Just like Facebook users need to create a dedicated Facebook page for selling, Instagram users need to have a Creator or a Business account. You can switch your Instagram profile to a Business or Creator account. This switch unlocks access to professional tools like Instagram ads, Instagram Shop, and in-depth analytics.

Go to your Instagram account settings, click "Account," and select "Switch to Professional Account." Follow the prompts, and choose the category that best fits your art business. Once you have your new Business account, make sure your profile is complete. Remember to include a link to your online store or a link organizer like Linktree so that potential buyers can easily access your products.

2. Optimize your Instagram profile

Make sure that your profile picture is clear and represents your brand. Use your bio to immediately convey what your art is about. Consider including a call to action, like a link to your online shop, to direct followers to multiple destinations. 

Make it easy for followers to understand who you are and what you offer. Highlight your best works in Instagram Stories highlights to keep new visitors engaged and informed at a glance.

3. Post high-quality images of your art

Always use a high-resolution camera or a quality smartphone to capture your artwork. Pay attention to lighting; natural light is best to avoid unwanted shadows and distortions, ensuring you authentically represent the details and colors of your art.

Once you have high-quality images, edit them carefully. Use clean backgrounds and consider using professional editing tools to adjust brightness, contrast, and sharpness. Doing this will make your art stand out in a crowded Instagram feed and draw more eyes to your profile.

4. Create a cohesive feed aesthetic 

Use consistent color schemes, filters, and photo compositions to make your profile visually appealing and reinforce your brand identity.

Select a palette that complements your artwork and stick with it. Tools like Combin Scheduler can help you plan your posts, ensuring that all images align with your chosen aesthetic. Showcase your artwork in well-lit, real-life settings to add context and make your feed more relatable.

5. Show your personality and story

Sharing your personal story can humanize your brand and create a connection with your audience. Reveal the journey behind your art, inspiration, and creative process, building trust and making your work more relatable and memorable to your followers. 

Use captions to share anecdotes or background stories with each post. Consider posting behind-the-scenes snippets in your stories or Instagram reels to give a glimpse of your daily routine. Engage with your followers by asking them to share their stories or experiences related to your art.

6. Leverage Instagram stories and reels 

Use the Stories feature to share updates, behind-the-scenes looks at your creative process, and timely promotions. You can easily foster deeper connections with followers with interactive content features like polls and question stickers. 

Reels are perfect for showcasing your art in dynamic formats. To increase visibility, create time-lapse videos of your work, share tutorials, or participate in trending challenges. Reels tend to get higher engagement and broader reach, so leverage them for maximum impact.

7. Engage actively with your audience

Interacting with your audience via comments and DMs will make them feel valued. Regularly interact through polls, Q&A sessions, or live streams to create a community atmosphere. This personal touch can increase follower retention and loyalty. 

Don't just wait for the comments to come in—be proactive! Comment on your followers' posts and share their content when relevant, fostering a sense of community and encouraging reciprocal engagement, amplifying your visibility on the platform.

8. Use relevant hashtags

Use a combination of niche, popular, and art-related hashtags to connect with more people. Tools like Hashtagify and All Hashtag can help you find trending and relevant hashtags. 

Vary your hashtags occasionally to ensure a wider reach for your posts. Place a mix of hashtags in the caption and comments section. Aim for around 10-20 hashtags per post to maximize reach without appearing spammy.

9. Collaborate with other artists or influencers

Identify individuals whose style and audience align with yours. Engage with their content and build a relationship before proposing a collaboration, including joint or co-hosting live streams or sessions, co-created artworks, or shoutouts. 

When approaching influencers, ensure your pitch offers mutual benefits. Clearly outline how your collaboration can add value to their followers as well. Genuine collaborations resonate more with audiences and can lead to increased engagement and sales.

10. Host giveaways or contests 

Giveaways and contests are an excellent way to boost engagement and attract new followers while selling art on Instagram.

Decide on a meaningful prize, such as a personalized print of your art. Announce the contest via a dedicated post and outline the rules—typically asking participants to follow your account, like the post, and tag friends in the comments. 

Promote any giveaway or contest across all your social media platforms and through Instagram Stories, encouraging more participation and increasing your visibility. Remember to announce the winner, which adds a personal touch and encourages future engagement. 

11. Share customer testimonials and user-generated content 

Displaying customer testimonials and sharing user-generated content build trust and a sense of community. Encourage your customers to post pictures of your art in their homes and tag your profile. Repost these on your feed or stories to showcase real-life applications of your work. 

Create a specific hashtag for your brand and ask your audience to use it when sharing their posts, creating a stream of authentic content and reviews, making it easier for potential buyers to visualize the value your art brings.

12. Use Instagram shopping features 

By setting up your Instagram Shop, you can tag your art directly in posts and stories, making it easy for followers to explore and buy. Include high-quality images and detailed product descriptions to attract potential buyers. 

In your Business or Creator account, configure Instagram Shopping via the Commerce Manager to implement this. Ensure you regularly update your shop with new pieces and use features like tagged products in Reels to boost visibility and drive sales.

13. Use print on demand to expand your offerings

Print on demand services like Gelato can significantly expand your offerings without the need for hefty upfront investments. By leveraging this model, you can transform your artwork into various products such as prints, mugs, and apparel. Simply upload your designs, and Gelato handles the rest—from production to shipping, allowing you to focus on creating more art and engaging with your audience. 

Integrating Gelato with your Instagram shop so you can share posts highlighting your new product lines, and use Instagram Stories to showcase behind-the-scenes processes. This approach diversifies your revenue streams and excites your followers about your brand.

14. Offer limited-time promotions or discounts

Limited-time promotions or discounts are an effective way to drive urgency and encourage quick sales. You can create unique holiday offers, art release anniversaries, or other notable occasions. Announce these promos through eye-catching posts and stories to grab your audience's attention. 

Use tools like Countdown stickers in Instagram Stories to build anticipation and urgency. Pair these promotions with clear calls to action, guiding your followers on how to take advantage of the offers and ensuring they know it’s a limited-time deal.

15. Encourage direct purchases via DMs 

Invite potential buyers to DM you for bespoke art, custom orders, or exclusive deals. Doing this will make the buying process more personal and allow you to build customer relationships, answer queries, and provide tailored suggestions. 

Regularly remind your audience through posts and stories that they can reach out via DMs. Create call-to-actions like "DM to buy" or "Message for custom art." This proactive approach can make the process seamless and boost conversion rates.

16. Post consistently and at optimal times

Aim to post at least 2-3 times per week to ensure you stay in your audience's feed. Experiment with different times and use Instagram Insights to determine when your followers are most active. 

Utilize tools to plan and automate your posts, helping you maintain a consistent posting schedule without feeling overwhelmed. Regularly posting at optimal times will maximize reach and improve the chances of your art being seen and purchased. 

17. Highlight limited editions or new releases 

Promote your limited editions or new releases by teasing them in your Instagram stories and posts. Use high-quality images and videos to showcase the details that make these pieces unique. Consider using countdown stickers in stories to build anticipation and excitement.

Highlight these unique pieces in your bio or link them directly to your Instagram shop. Announce when they are available for purchase, and remind your followers of the scarcity factor, encouraging them to act quickly.

18. Engage in the art community on Instagram 

Participate in the art community on Instagram by commenting on other artists' posts, sharing their work in your stories, and engaging in art world challenges. This will help you get noticed and build valuable relationships. 

Schedule a few minutes daily to interact with your favorite accounts. Join Instagram Live sessions and virtual meet-ups, and don't hesitate to DM artists for potential collaborations. Consistently engaging will help your profile grow organically through mutual support and recognition.

19. Utilize Instagram ads 

Instagram ads can boost your reach and sales by engaging a target market that is more likely to purchase your art. Start by creating visually appealing ad content that resonates with your brand and artwork. Use Instagram’s targeting options to pinpoint demographics, interests, and behaviors that align with your ideal buyers.

Monitor and adjust your ad campaigns based on performance metrics such as engagement rate and conversion. This data allows you to refine your strategy, ensuring your ads are as effective as possible in attracting potential customers and driving sales.

20. Leverage Instagram Insights 

Instagram Insights is a feature that offers in-depth analytics about your audience, post-performance, and engagement. By regularly reviewing these metrics, you can identify which types of content resonate most with your followers. Pay close attention to data on reach, impressions, and interaction rates to fine-tune your strategy. 

Navigate to your Instagram profile and tap on the Insights tab. Analyze the data to understand peak posting times, top-performing content, and audience demographics. Use this information to refine your content schedule and creation process for maximum engagement and sales.

21. Tell stories with your captions

Captions are a powerful tool for connecting deeper with your audience. Share the inspiration behind a piece, a personal anecdote, or the creative process, adding a personal touch and making your art more relatable and memorable. 

Brainstorm stories or messages that align with each piece of art. Write sincere and engaging captions. Ask open-ended questions to invite interaction. This approach can turn scrollers into loyal followers and potential buyers, enriching their experience with your art.

22. Create a strong call-to-action (CTA) 

Using a strong CTA is essential to guide your followers toward purchasing or engaging further with your content. Use clear, concise language to communicate what you want your audience to do next. For instance, phrases like "Shop Now," "Check Out Our Latest Collection," or "DM for Custom Orders" can be very effective. 

Make sure that your CTA stands out in your posts by using contrasting colors in your design and bold fonts. Place the CTA strategically in your captions and stories, and consider including a direct link or a tag to simplify the process for your audience.

Building a successful Instagram presence to sell art online takes the right approach, consistency, and a whole lot of creativity. One essential tool to make your art-selling journey smoother is Gelato’s print on demand services. 

Gelato offers a range of features: high-quality print services, global production and shipping, and easy integration with your Instagram shop. These features are perfect for artists who want to create and sell custom art prints without the hassle of managing inventory. Our subscription plans complement the different needs of budding artists and established professionals. With Gelato handling the logistics, you can focus on what you do best—creating fine art. 

Don't wait—sign up for Gelato today and take your art business to the next level!