Should I create merchandise if people say they love my work but can't afford originals?

Absolutely—if you listen to your customers, they will tell you exactly what they want. When people say ‘I love your work but I can’t afford an original, what do you have?’, that’s a direct request for lower-priced options. Offering a range of products—prints, puzzles, calendars, coasters—keeps those customers engaged instead of losing them entirely. One artist had someone leave their booth at an art festival saying ‘originals I can’t do, but prints I can,’ which was a clear message that they were losing sales. Building a pricing range from affordable merchandise up to high-end originals ensures you have something for everyone who connects with your art.

---

Asked by an artist considering product expansion · Answered by Brien Cole & Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2024-10-04