How's the art marketplace coming along?

[Kraine]

I always seem to have a tough time selling art here. It might just be my style, or the type of creatures I draw. I feel like commissions work better for me. Even so, I like to draw things once in a while to see if there are any new sites that like my work. : p

[cpvr]

I always seem to have a tough time selling art here. It might just be my style, or the type of creatures I draw. I feel like commissions work better for me. Even so, I like to draw things once in a while to see if there are any new sites that like my work. : p

What do you guys think we can do? Site owners come here to buy art - and if they don't like your art style or what you're selling, they don't buy. A lot of buyers aren't aware that we're back up and running. We've only been back for almost 3 months now - we were down for quite some time - so I'd say keep trying or help us promote virtual pet list - that way we can try to attract more buyers here.

We can't do it alone - some people find success in our marketplace, and some don't. I know buyers like to see a wide variety of art - its how our old marketplace grew.

[kami]

I wouldn't put the blame entirely on the artists' style. Owners' all have their own site style too, the range is really broad. I think it's just the bad economy (in real life), lack of buyers online, lack of owners who have cash that are willing to buy/commission artists on here, lack of knowledge of this sites existence, etc. A lot of the larger owners already have their own artists, so obviously they won't be interested in buying on here, so that's another factor.

[cpvr]

I wouldn't put the blame entirely on the artists' style. Owners' all have their own site style too, the range is really broad. I think it's just the bad economy (in real life), lack of buyers online, lack of owners who have cash that are willing to buy/commission artists on here, lack of knowledge of this sites existence, etc. A lot of the larger owners already have their own artists, so obviously they won't be interested in buying on here, so that's another factor.

It's one the buyers market - owners may have lack of cash right now - we're in a recession, correct? The only way to attract more buyers is with more art.
It's like any marketplace - like Flippa - its a marketplace for websites - it has a ton of variety - and buyers flock.

[kami]

More art doesn't necessarily attract more buyers. More doesn't always mean better. Though as of right now, I think the rate of new threads right now is just fine.

[TheTeen]

I believe there are more buyers on VPL than thought, however, with almost a need for art to match on petsites today, auctions do not do well unless you are able to match a style found across a wide variety of sites. I personally check for art everyday, but I have yet to see anything that matches my style.

[Kraine]

I believe there are more buyers on VPL than thought, however, with almost a need for art to match on petsites today, auctions do not do well unless you are able to match a style found across a wide variety of sites. I personally check for art everyday, but I have yet to see anything that matches my style.

This is why I think commissions work better. You can specify which style you want the artist to draw in.

[jibbles]

The opinion of a newbie here It might be there and I just haven't found it, but I think that one thing that is missing is a newbie buyers guide. There are some things that you take for granted as you know how it all works, but to someone who hasn't done this before it is all very offputting. For example...
Some posts give the price as SB, AB and CB. Whats that mean?
Whats the usual way of business? Pay up front, or pay on delivery?
When you buy a piece of art, are you buying the non-exclusive rights to use it (and you might find it on half a dozen VP sites), are you buying exclusive rights to use it (but you can't do anything else with it), or are you actually buying the artwork and all rights associated with it (so you can use it on one site, many, sell it again, etc)?
How should you contact the seller? Just post on their thread, PM them, add them to MSN?

As I said, it's all probably quite obvious stuff to many, and I can probably guess most of the answers... but for someone just starting out it can be quite offputting not really knowing what you are doing.

[que]

SB is Starting Bid
AB is Auto Buy
CB is Current Bid.


Usually, for pre-made images: Artists send the .psd to you and then you send payment.
If you are buying a commission, it's best to give 1/2 the $ up front, and the other 1/2 when you receive the finished product.

I believe when you buy the art, you get all the rights to it unless otherwise stated. (Besides the right to say YOU made it)
Usually, it's best to contact them through PM, and if you wanna do more business with them- add them to a messenger :3

[traficalshours]

I only just joined the site about an hour ago, and the only thing I was taken aback by was the fact that I needed to have 5 posts to send a private PM to someone. I'm sure this is for precautionary measures, but I also find it a little..hindering. Particularly if an artist says they are looking to hire, but they want you to send a PM to them.

If the artist never looked at the forum again they could potentially lose a lot of clients. Of course that would be on their own behalf. I still find it a little hindering though.