(me) painting LIVE at Art Whino gallery. Spring 2011.

When it comes to web related business, where you sell and where you present yourself may matter. But when you want to expand your presence, make connections and establish a place in the online art world, does it REALLY matter? Is it that important?

I have written many times about eBay, online art venues and web presence. The pros and cons to each one. Like I’ve been trying to pound into your head, it’s all about your audience. And if you have one (even if it’s small), you can take them anywhere you’d prefer.

Would you rather share your work for purchase on your site? your blog? your facebook? or some shop venue like Etsy or eBay?

You can make that decision. Forget what anyone says about “quality” or “repuation”. Ignore the rants.

What’s important, especially in the beginning stages of your career, is to get the work out there. OUT THERE!

I’d not worry about the issues of copyright, copycats, venue quality or reputation. For all I care, you can share your work on MYSPACE! You never know who you’ll meet or what opportunities are out there.

Example? I have met movie and television producers through EBAY. I met one of my best, repeat clients on Twitter who didn’t even have an AVATAR!

The point is, worry about your work. 

5 Steps to Success 

1. GROW your collection of work.

2. BUILD a great portfolio.

3. GET your name out there: newspapers, flyers locally, social networking, collaboration with other artists/galleries or groups. etc.

4. Research the business: read books, blogs, get yourself to the library or Barnes & Noble

5. Connect yourself with other entrepreneurs and artists: find groups, forums (they still exist!) or people online or offline to learn from!