Is it better to sell art in person or focus on online sales?

Both channels are valuable and your mix will evolve over time. In-person sales are powerful early on—they let you build genuine connections, understand your clientele, and practice talking about your work. You learn who your people are through face-to-face dialogue. As you gain exposure through media features, collaborations, or social media growth, online sales will naturally increase. Be prepared to pivot and adapt—you’ll need to learn how to ship items, serve customers you’ve never met face-to-face, and maintain quality without in-person interaction. The balance will shift as your business grows, so build skills in both areas.

---

Asked by an artist weighing in-person versus online selling · Answered by Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2025-02-28