Marsha Hamby Savage 's comment on Art Marketing: Why desperation marketing is not always a bad thing

Brian (and Jackie), this is a post, comments and replies that is so appropriate for what is going on in our art world at this time. Thanks for the article Brian!

I have been painting for 40 years and selling many of those. Of course starting low and gradually increasing prices as paintings went out the door of the galleries I was in. I have several patrons ... if you want to call them that. Many paintings at different stages of my career were bought by a dozen or so customers. These customers became patrons, and then they became friends.

I have discussed our present economy and lack of sales due to it with several of them. One thought I should lower prices and then after some discussion could see why it might not be a good idea. So they changed their mind and we discussed what you have said about creating some work that is a lower price point.

Another patron who owns about 30 or more paintings has said lower prices so that I can continue to paint. They understand the paintings still have value but are a bargain at this time. And, the comment was made that because several galleries have closed, this has impacted my sales rate more than just the pricing. Galleries are finding it hard to stay in business because expenses are still going up, while sales were going down. And, artists have been told not to lower their prices!

So .... the answer is as you said. Create artwork that can sell for a smaller price point. Maybe offer a discount at this time to reflect the tighter money a potential client has to spend on a luxury. Even say (as I saw in a gallery in Santa Fe once) that this is temporary and pricing will rise again at a point in the future when the economy is not in such a downward spiral.

I also offer creative financing... a payment plan over a time period. I also offer a money-back guarantee ... like offering the painting on approval. This is just a local offer... without shipping fees involved. I also have paintings done plein air, experimental or demonstration paintings ... calling them "studies" and not the pricing of my larger pieces or gallery ready pieces. These are a lower price point and many of them are unframed. And, of course, a discount is offered if a client purchases several paintings.

I offer studies or demonstrations to my students at a discount. I have always enjoyed purchasing a demo from a teacher so I would have a visual reminder of what I should be striving for ... or something they said in the workshop. I hang them either in my studio or framing area. Students can sometimes be one of our best supporters!

I am always open to a creative way to sell my work... and I have my more serious works in a few galleries. I am now contacting them to ask how I can help them... what way they wish for me to help them sell my work.

Your question about what type of collector you are trying to attract ... one I am interested in creating new customers... bringing them to purchase original art. Two, I am still targeting my past collectors. Past collectors will be able to purchase art at a discounted price possibly to add to their collections.