Selling

To maintain a long-term relationship with a collector, the aftercare of a sale is crucial. Pricing must be transparent, and collectors will need to be assured that they won't overpay or buy art that will decrease in value. Negotiations and offering discounts must be taken into account. Providing all relevant documentation such as invoices, proof of purchase, and certificates of authentication is also essential. To avoid damage during transit, safe and appropriate packing must be ensured. Giving installation instructions, installing the work yourself, and adapting your work for domestic contexts can help. Providing advice on how to conserve and preserve the work, including light and humidity levels, is also crucial. Collectors must be kept informed of the artist's development, which can lead to purchases in the future. The relationship between an artist and a collector can grow over time, so it is important to maintain contact, although not to bombard them with too many emails. Finally, it's critical to maintain a professional relationship from the outset to establish trust.

Here are the key takeaways from the text:

  1. Pricing: Getting the pricing right is critical. It's important to provide clear information on how the price has been calculated and to be prepared for negotiations. Providing a range of work for different budgets can lead to a long-term relationship with a collector.

  2. Aftercare: Poor after-care can ruin relationships. Provide all relevant paperwork, including a signed certificate of authentication, and agree on delivery and installation of the work. Offer advice on conservation, and keep in touch with collectors by adding them to your mailing list and inviting them to events.

  3. Practical considerations: Consider the practicalities of living with your art in a domestic context, and offer installation instructions or install the work yourself to gain an insight into what else might work in the collector's home.

  4. Building trust: Being professional from the outset will help build trust. Keep in touch with collectors and offer personalized experiences to maintain the relationship.