Left: Lawrence W. Lee. Right: Six Feather Shaman by Lawrence W. Lee sold via Artwork Archive.

Lawrence W. Lee has sold over $20,000 worth of art (commission free) off his Artwork Archive Public Page. And he’s not slowing down. So, how does he do it? We asked Lawrence Lee, an accomplished painter of 40+ years, to share his Public Page tips. From choosing a payment system to sharing the Page on your website, you can use his insights to promote your Public Page and find similar sales success.

“The Public Page is a convenient way to show people my entire available inventory and selected works that have sold in the past year and a half. “ -Lawrence W. Lee

UPDATE: We’ve made the Public Profile even more amazing! Take a look at what’s new.

1. HOW MANY PAINTINGS HAVE YOU SOLD VIA YOUR ARTWORK ARCHIVE PUBLIC PAGE?

I have sold three paintings in the past few months as a direct result of my Public Page. The total sales value of the pieces is $15,450. My latest sale, “Autumn Shaman” came at the end of a lot of research done by the buyer. They apparently used my Public Page as a touchstone reference as they tracked down pieces of interest at various locations (brick-and-mortar galleries and UGallery.com). That brings the value of sales from my Public Page to $20,850.

Autumn Shaman by Lawrence W.Lee sold via Artwork Archive.

2. HOW DO YOU PROMOTE YOUR PUBLIC PAGE?

I have a link to my Artwork Archive Public Page in the footer of all my pages on my website labeled “Archive & Current Work”. I’ve dipped my toes into social media and it is a great promotional tool for younger artists. I keep a blog and display the Public Page link very prominently in the footer portion. People use it and appreciate being able to see it. I sold a painting just last week to a gentleman in Canada who contacted me via my Artwork Archive Public Page expressing interest in a painting I’d put up two days prior. He had never seen my artwork in person and now my painting is at the border on its way to Canada.

Lawrence W. Lee has a link to his Artwork Archive Public Page at the footer on every page of his website labeled "Archive & Current Work".

A few months ago I received an email from a man who had been looking at my inventory on Artwork Archive. He said he was in town for a few days and was interested in two pieces. He knew one was available in a gallery and wanted to know the availability of the other. The other painting was in my private collection, so the only way he could have seen it was to look at my Artwork Archive Public Page. We met at my studio and he ended up purchasing the painting from my private collection. I also found out he is an immensely successful entrepreneur. He told me he had already collected some of my work and really wanted that piece. If he is in the market for another Lee, he will look at Artwork Archive.

ARTWORK ARCHIVE NOTE: All subscribers who mark four or more pieces "public" (like Lawrence Lee) have their work displayed on Discovery. Discovery connects interested buyers and our growing collector base with our artists, increasing their exposure and sales. We also promote our Discovery artists on social media. Check out Discovery here.

3. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ASPECTS OF THE PUBLIC PAGE?

The Public Page looks good and is easy for people to navigate. It gives people relevant, up-to-date information about what’s available and clearly indicates when pieces are sold. One thing that enhances a buyer’s interest is seeing paintings they cannot have. That’s why I have the “Sold” indicators on view. There are essentially no extra steps for me to take to do this. When I make a new sale, I just mark that and I’m done. The “Sold” indicator instantly shows up on my Public Page as soon as I’ve updated it on my inventory. I don’t have people contacting me about unavailable pieces because they can see what has sold. It’s a wonderful, convenient, and very effective tool.

Daisy Petal Maiden by Lawrence W. Lee sold via Artwork Archive.

4. DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE INTERACTING WITH BUYERS THROUGH YOUR PUBLIC PAGE’S "CONTACT THE ARTIST" BUTTON.

At least two of my buyers contacted me via my “Contact the Artist” button. It’s very easy to have a correspondence through Artwork Archive. I’m confident in and especially appreciate Artwork Archive. The Public Page has been an unanticipated and unexpected benefit for me. For years, I was trying to create my own inventory management system and each one of those databases had such an old, creaky software that would need updating. When I started painting after retirement, I almost immediately found Artwork Archive and thought it would meet my needs and it has. John Feustel (Artwork Archive’s founder) has been working to create excellent functionality. And the “Contact the Artist” button and the Public Page have been an extra feature that has been quite profitable for me.

5. WHAT EXTERNAL PAYMENT SITE DO YOU USE/RECOMMEND?

I generally use PayPal. I’ve decided it is the quickest and most reliable interface because you’re not exchanging banking information directly. It saves me and my clients outside the US from setting up an international wire transfer. The fee PayPal charges are minimal and are well worth it for convenience. PayPal does currency conversion too which is another added benefit. I easily received US dollars from my Canadian client via PayPal. It transferred the money from his bank account to my business account all without me having to leave the comfort of my studio. PayPal is a good way to go. I’ve used it enough and I trust them. I’ve set up merchant servicing accounts and have dealt with credit cards before, but PayPal is a really easy way to conduct transactions. Everyone gets notified of everything that’s occurring, so it’s a good solution.

ARTWORK ARCHIVE NOTE: Artwork Archive Discovery Artists handle the transactions themselves and keep the money they make from sales off their Public Page.

Rainbow Shaman by Lawrence W. Lee sold via Artwork Archive.

6. WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST OTHERS DO WHO ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR PUBLIC PAGE SUCCESS?

I suggest that they put a link to their Artwork Archive Public Page everywhere they can. I have a caveat, though: if you are going to do that, you must be professional. You must keep your Public Page updated and accurate, otherwise it will create disappointment for buyers. There is no downside to promoting your Artwork Archive Public Page anywhere and everywhere you can. Here’s one reason why: my website is pretty good and people can see much of my current work, but they cannot see my sold work. It’s vital to show that two to three works have sold because it’s so important to let people know that they’re not the only people who want your work. Even if you sell a work to your parents for a reduced price, mark it with a “Sold” indicator. I don’t think that’s being disingenuous. My Artwork Archive Public Page indicates clearly what is sold. I don’t have to clutter up my personal website and update it. Artwork Archive takes care of that. I can show people what I’m doing now in really large images on my website. That can lead interested buyers to my Artwork Archive Public Profile Page so they can see what’s available and how much it costs.

Check Out Lawrence Lee’s Public Page on Artwork Archive or search for his work on Discovery.

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