Seven Reasons Why Many Writers and Visual Artists Make No Money

Writers and artists have several things in common. We like to create, we're sensitive, and we are mostly independent. We normally think in concepts instead of numbers so it isn't surprising that we often make the same mistakes that hold us back from success. Here are a few reasons why you might not be successful selling your writing or artwork online.

1. You are not publishing in the right place for your type of work
2. You are not doing enough promotion of your work
3. You are not very patient
4. You are not very productive
5. Your prices are too high or too low
6. Your finished works could use more finishing
7. Your work's descriptions and keywords (tags) are not very good

You are not publishing in the right place for your type of work.

There are several different ways to publish both books and artwork online. There is print-on-demand like Lulu or Blurb for books and Imagekind, FineArtAmerica, Zazzle, CafePress, Redbubble, and many more sites for artwork.  For ebook sales there is the option to publish them for Kindle (at Amazon) and other sites using Smashwords.  Just because you don't get any sales on one site it doesn't mean you won't have better luck at another. It normally doesn't hurt to upload the same works to multiple sites so people have options when searching on those sites for your keywords

You are not doing enough promotion of your work

With so much competition, you have to work to get seen. Blog, create a website, use social bookmarking, Facebook, Twitter, and anything else that comes to mind to get your artwork in front of others without spamming. Do your best to establish friendly relationships with people who like your artwork or writing. If you are a writer offer a sample perhaps the first chapter of your book. Artists should include thumbnail images of their artwork.

You are not very patient

Sales take time and effort. Whoever told you that selling online was an easy road to riches was probably trying to sell you an expensive get-rich-quick e-book. There is no honest get rich quick. If it were so easy to make money online, everyone would do it.

You are not very productive

Did I mention the w-word? Yes, it takes work too. You must always be working on new books or artwork, post them for sale and promote them.  The moment you stop working you will start to lose future income. Also consider the more work you have available to the public, the more likely people will remember you and your personal brand.

Your prices are too high or too low

If you price too high you lose impulse purchases and bargain hunters. If you price too low, people will think your work isn't quality. Better yet offer different price points like e-books and hardcover books and postcards as well as canvas prints.

Your finished works could use more finishing

Always proofread and edit any book you plan to publish. Always post process your photos and other artwork even minimal editing and post processing makes a big difference. The image your work has will make a huge difference in sales. Would you buy a book without cover art or a photo where the subject is out of focus or with poor composition? As a general rule, only post for sale works that you are proud of. 

Your works' descriptions and keywords (tags) are not very good

Often people will find your work online because of keywords in your work's description and tags. If you don't write a complete description with good tags, your work might not appear in the results and you lose the sale.

Print-on-Demand or POD services can give you another income stream

Make money at home with PODs

I've mentioned different ways people make money online, but here is one that I have only mentioned in passing. Print-on-Demand services, or POD are relatively new to the internet and have been getting better and better.

Why you should use a Print-on-Demand Service

Lets say that you are creative and you write books, paint, draw, take photographs, etc. That's great. You probably have CDs full of your photos and sketch books full of drawings, right? Probably only your closest friends have seen any of your work. Why not share it with the world and make some money so you can by more paint, paper, computer memory, a better digital camera, etc.?

Perhaps the money isn't important to you, but I bet you could use the money to buy better supplies or pay your internet or web hosting bill.

With these systems you upload images or text, make your products, set markups, and then you just get the word out while the sales slowly trickle in. You don't have to worry after that.

The process

1. You should first compare the pods for the features and the type of printing that you're looking for art, text, gifts, etc.


2. Once you have selected your first POD, create an account. If your funds are limited go with a free account.


3. Create a shop or store. Typically the name of the store is the same as your user name (if your username isn't your e-mail address)


4. Configure your store's title, your photo, your profile or shop info, etc.


5. Configure your shop or store's colors and log. Not all PODs allow this, so do what you can.


6. Upload your images. Upload only images or text. Only upload what you plan to use. You can always upload more files later.


7. Create categories and subcategories for your products. No one wants to scroll through hundreds of mixed up products.


8. Create products using your images or text (depending on POD) and add titles, descriptions, and keywords.


9. Set prices and price markups for your products and shops if you haven't already in the shop preferences.


10. Check your payment preferences and address, If this information isn't correct, you might not get paid!


11. Get the word out! Promote your shop, store, or products sold on the POD via your website, blog, by word-of-mouth, etc.


12. Cash your checks, buy more supplies and then go back to step 8.

The benefits of using a Print-on-Demand Service

There are many benefits to working with a POD. Here are a few:

• You don't have to bill any customers


• You don't have to worry about shipping


• You don't have to worry about printing


• You don't have to worry about product returns


• You don't have to worry about Customer Service


• You don't have to worry about the web server or hosting for your shop

The disadvantages of using a POD

• You lack some creative control over your products since you are limited to what they offer.


• You have to play by the POD's rules


• You have to wait between 30 and 45 days to get paid


• You can't host the shop on your own website.


• If the POD shuts down, you'll have to set up everything on another.


• Your POD shop customization will not be as good as you could do on your own web server.


• You'll typically have header or footer links to the POD's home page which are potential sales leaks.

Here are some PODs that I have tested:

Fine art prints and framed art

• Imagekind - See example store/gallery


• RedBubble - See example store/gallery Note: Not as high in Quality as Imagkind.

Image gifts and collectibles

• Cafe Press - See example store - not recommended for wall art


• Printfection - See example store - ´plenty of Shirts


• Zazzle - See example store - Plenty of products to choose from
  

When selecting a POD consider the following:

• Payment options. If you don't live in the United States, it is great if they offer PayPal or you'll be waiting weeks to get your check.


• Store and Gallery design and optimization. Can you add categories, unlimited products, change site design and colors?


• Product offering. Do they offer the products that you want to sell?


• Product base prices and markup options


• Search Engine Optimization - especially if you are not planning to market your products.


• Account fees. Compare base prices to fees. Sometimes a free POD charges a higher base price to cover the costs.


• Product Quality. Check each POD's forum and see what people say about product quality.


• Shipping costs

Conclusion

Above all you should be realistic. Whether you use a POD or not, it takes effort. Don't expect to get rich on a site that you only work on a few hours a week. Expect to get out of it, what you put in. Just like any business it takes time to get recognized. If you like being creative then this might not feel much like work at all. It could be a good opportunity to get a second income since you can do it on the weekend or in the evening after your normal full-time job. Do you use a POD other than one I mentioned here? Please tell me about it by e-mail or in this post's comments. Good luck!