Selling artwork online: My Journey from Personal Art to Make Me A Comic
I started selling artwork online in 2012. I didn't know what I was doing, I wasn't technical (and I'm still not), but I was/am creative and artistic. I decided one day I wanted to make my money through either my art or other people's. This blog tells the story of how I achieved my goal and how 12 years later I am still successfully selling art online.
Finding My Passion: The Start of My Art Journey
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a passion for art, but figuring out how to sell art online was a journey in itself. I wanted to create art that not only looked good but also connected with people on a personal level. As I began researching the psychology behind why people buy anything, I noticed that emotional connections are a significant factor. People buy products because they feel something—a memory, a connection, or even a sense of identity. I realized I could use my art to forge those connections, creating pieces that would mean something to the buyer.
Recognizing the Power of Personalization
After observing what people responded to, I decided to start a business focused on personalized art, aptly named Personal Art. I offered a range of 15 different personalized art types, from portraits to stylized abstract pieces. But even with all those options, it was the comic-inspired art that customers loved the most. It became clear that comics, with their storytelling power, resonated in a unique way. Comics allowed people to relive personal memories or see themselves as characters in a story, creating an emotional connection unlike any other form of art.
Realizing this potential, I decided to narrow my focus, which led to the creation of Make Me A Comic, a business solely dedicated to personalized comic art.
Building Make Me A Comic: The Evolution of My Business
Make Me A Comic was born out of a need to bring storytelling and personalization together. I wanted to offer customers a way to commemorate special memories, celebrate relationships, and even visualize themselves in unique, narrative-driven artwork. At Make Me A Comic, I developed three main products:
- Custom Comic Strips – Short, story-driven pieces perfect for capturing small, memorable moments or giving as a fun, personalized gift. I let me customers drive the stories, right from the start a couple's love story was the number 1 choice. Imagine seeing yourself in a comic strip, retelling all your favourite memories with your partner. THE most romantic and thoughtful gift you will ever give.
- Custom Comic Covers – A playful way for people to see themselves on the “cover” of their own comic book, styled as superheroes, adventurers, or any character they desire. A hot favourite of anyone who is into comics, gaming or movies. When we launched this superheroes was the popular theme, but over the years we have delved into fantasy, anime, manga, horror, legs, Simpsons, American Dad and many many more.
- Custom Comic Books – Full-length comics that tell a detailed story, capturing significant events or creating an entire narrative featuring the customer or their loved ones. Now this is the choice for the comic mad fan, the ultimate gift for that geek guy or girl. These are our bestseller lately, they look just like any cmic book you find in the store.
The focus on comics and these three products allowed me to streamline the business and cater specifically to what customers valued most.
Overcoming Challenges: Staying Consistent and Believing in My Work
Starting a business is never easy, and learning how to sell your artwork online comes with its fair share of struggles. There were times when I questioned my choices, wondered if this niche market was too narrow, and felt the weight of competition in the online art world. However, two things kept me going: consistency and belief. I remained consistent in my efforts, always striving to improve the quality of my work, updating my website, and promoting my products. I also held a firm belief in the value of my art and its potential to touch people’s lives.
The Importance of Customer Reviews
One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been the feedback from my customers. From the beginning, I realized that reviews were a crucial part of building credibility and attracting new clients. Reviews are especially important when learning how to become a successful online seller because they establish trust and authenticity. My dedication to excellent customer service and delivering a product I could be proud of led to almost 1,000 five-star reviews. Each review serves as a testament to the quality of my work and the value of personalized, comic-inspired art.
Key Lessons Learned on Selling Art Online
1. Create an Emotional Connection
If you want to sell art online successfully, it’s essential to create a product that resonates emotionally with your audience. For me, that meant personalizing each piece to reflect the buyer’s life and memories, which added significant emotional value. By doing so, I didn’t just sell a product; I provided an experience.
2. Focus on What Works
Initially, I offered 15 types of personalized art, but only the comics resonated with my audience. Instead of holding onto the original idea of a broad product line, I focused on what truly worked. Narrowing down my offering allowed me to excel in one area rather than spreading myself too thin.
3. Prioritize Customer Satisfaction and Reviews
Positive reviews are invaluable in building a successful online art business. I always go above and beyond to ensure each customer has a memorable, positive experience with Make Me A Comic. Consistently prioritizing customer satisfaction has helped build a loyal customer base and attract new clients through word-of-mouth and review-based referrals.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: How to Sell Your Artwork and Become a Successful Online Seller
Understand Your Audience
Learning about your audience is key. I spent a lot of time figuring out who my buyers were and what they wanted. This understanding helped me shape my products to meet their needs, creating a product line that resonated on a personal level.
Start with What You’re Passionate About
Building a business is hard work, but if you’re passionate about what you’re creating, the journey becomes more meaningful. My love for storytelling and art kept me motivated even during challenging times, fuelling the creation of Make Me A Comic.
Be Open to Change
Flexibility is crucial in any entrepreneurial journey. What started as a broad, personalized art business evolved into a specialized, comic-focused brand. Being open to change allowed me to adapt to market demand and focus on creating something truly unique.
Maintain High Standards
Quality should always be your top priority. From the beginning, I committed to delivering the best product possible. By focusing on high-quality artwork, attention to detail, and excellent customer service, I was able to build a brand known for excellence.
The Future of Make Me A Comic
Now, Make Me A Comic is thriving, and I’m excited about the future. Nearly 1,000 five-star reviews later, the business has established itself as a trusted source for personalized comic art. As I continue to grow the brand, my goal is to keep offering high-quality, emotionally resonant artwork that helps people relive their favorite memories and share them with others in a creative way. I’m also excited to explore new ways to reach audiences and bring the magic of comics to even more people around the world.
Please check out the website and see what we create
