These days, it’s a good idea to diversify your income. In other words, have multiple income streams at all times. This takes the pressure away from any one way of making money, and helps you get beyond the “feast and famine” tendencies of self-employment. But are you exploring all the possibilities?

I had recently heard Stephen Karlisch talk about how he and his wife Kristen have been selling prints to their interior designer clients, and I just needed to hear more! They, along with Jason Matias, artist and creator of The Art of Selling Art, sat with me for a Clubhouse chat recently to talk all about how to do this for ourselves. Their insights were priceless, so I want to pass on as much of the goodness as possible. This chat was NOT recorded, but I took lots of notes for you! So let’s dive into the highlights from this fantastic conversation about selling art prints to interior designers.

Highlights

• It all comes down to relationships. As interior photographers, we have an advantage in that we’re already connected to designers who may need art prints. This means that part of the work is done - we already have some trust and familiarity built up with our clients. Even when connecting with new potential buyers for art prints, though, it’s about relationships. Creating them, nurturing them, and leveraging them.

• You can’t get around having to network, so here are some tips for that.

• Ask your current connections to introduce you to others who may be shopping around for art prints

• Consider setting up a booth at a large expo or industry event. If you do this,

• have quality prints there as samples,
• invite designers you know to come by and view by appointment only,

• know who you’re looking to connect with before going.

• Interior designers will have higher budgets and more need for fine art than interior decorators
• Art consultants are great people to connect with because they find the art for designers to use. Art REPS are different, and will take a commission when they sell your art - not ideal.
• Check out Reference USA in your local library (or online a paid service) to find interior designers making above a certain revenue level.
• Seek out organizations like the IDS, ASID, or IIDA to set up an informational booth, table, or station at their large events

• Consider having industry rates to offer the designers for your art prints. Just like they have industry discounts for products, an industry discount for the art can be an added incentive.

• When doing an industry discount, make sure that the discount rate is still sufficient to give you the value that your art deserves. In other words, make sure you’re happy with the discounted amount for your prints!
• One way to get insight into future trends is to check out Pantone’s colors for each year. Chances are, the color of the year will be showing up in interior spaces the following year, so you may want to incorporate it into photo projects intended for prints

Marketing Tips/Ideas:

• Give prints as gifts to your best clients. This is a token of gratitude, lets them know that you have other photography besides interiors, and is good marketing for your prints
• Set up a spot in an art show and invite designers you know to come by, with an appointment time, so that you can give them a personal tour of your print work
• Include a link, mention, or quick info about your prints in your email signatures and invoices
• Connect with stylists, who may themselves be looking for art pieces to place in projects
• Send a mailer as a soft promo to a targeted list. Make this for prints only.
• Seek opportunities to have your prints hang in model condos/homes, especially for very high-end projects. Large-scale projects are ideal.

Conclusion

There you have it! Some quick, targeted tips for getting started with selling your prints to designers. Stephen and Kristen Karlisch have kindly offered to be available for questions via DM, so be sure to reach out to them if anything comes up! And while this is new territory for me, too, I’m always happy to provide any support I can along the way.

xo,

Natalia