How's the art marketplace coming along?

[cpvr]

So, I was curious - what do you guys think about the art marketplace thus far? Are you having trouble selling your art? Or, has VPL's art marketplace been go to you?

We're asking this because - we know that our art marketplace has been one of our most popular forum features over the years - and we want to know how we're doing, and what you think we should do - to help increase your sales as an artist - should we, buy advertising - and try to help attract buyers - or should we just let our art marketplace grow from you guys?

Basically I see things like this - the more art that's being sold, the more potential sales that artists can have. Why? Buyers like to see a variety of things - and if they don't like what they see, they try to find another artist or two.

So, in other words. Has the art marketplace brought you any sales? If not, how do you think we could possibly help you increase your sales? Artists, you guys are the backbone of this section - not us, I can't draw, so I can't sell anything nor test out the art marketplace.

Also - what images have you seen to be the most successful sales for you? Has it been the sale of some pets? What about some items?

[Arj]

The VPL marketplace has always been good to me. In fact, it's the only place I've been able to successfully sell my art on. And I won't lie - I enjoy the pet site atmosphere, and I still play them casually, but if VPL suddenly excised the marketplace, I wouldn't be here anymore. But I think that's okay. I'm by no means a major player here, but pet sites will never stop needing art.

Advertising the marketplace would be nice, but totally unnecessary. Which isn't to say that everyone everywhere knows VPL as the be all, end all, one stop for pet site art, rather that the marketplace is a forum feature that's weight and existence is the responsibility of the artists who post in it. I notice that some buyers from the old VPL seem to have disappeared, though. And the success of this marketplace befuddles me, since it's not like the other pet boards all have their own warring factions - nearly everyone here is on another board and vice versa. I think advertising the marketplace would be a kind gesture, but I also don't think it'd do much.

As much as I disliked trying to do it, and as unnecessary as it is now, it seems, I miss the juggling platypus qualification. That was something VPL started that I thought was, well, adorable. Even if mine was crap.

<Amgthispostissodisjointedandsoundssolaundrylist-ysorry.>

:> I was actually thinking about making a thread on this. What Does And Doesn't Sell. Wasn't there an old thead/board on old VPL that was for people posting things they wanted to see in the marketplace? I mean, I think it'd help out a lot of artists. No one's gonna make money trying to sell the basic red rubber ball and apple type items. Items sell the best for me, usually food. I think pets are the hardest to sell, because if a buyer sees an item that doesn't quite match their site style, but likes it anyway, they'll still likely buy it. Because it's just one item. But pets are a bigger deal and stand out more. I've always wanted to know a way to make pets more sellable to anyone. Maybe posting lineart with flat color or something, and charging for shade by site style.

[cpvr]

:> I was actually thinking about making a thread on this. What Does And Doesn't Sell. Wasn't there an old thead/board on old VPL that was for people posting things they wanted to see in the marketplace? I mean, I think it'd help out a lot of artists. No one's gonna make money trying to sell the basic red rubber ball and apple type items. Items sell the best for me, usually food. I think pets are the hardest to sell, because if a buyer sees an item that doesn't quite match their site style, but likes it anyway, they'll still likely buy it. Because it's just one item. But pets are a bigger deal and stand out more. I've always wanted to know a way to make pets more sellable to anyone. Maybe posting lineart with flat color or something, and charging for shade by site style.

By all means go for it. Anything that help make the art marketplace better is greatly appreciated. You guys are the artists here, we're trying our best to build a place that everyone can enjoy, meet new people, and build their experiences as a person - whether you're an artist, or a developer.

I notice that some buyers from the old VPL seem to have disappeared, though. And the success of this marketplace befuddles me, since it's not like the other pet boards all have their own warring factions - nearly everyone here is on another board and vice versa. I think advertising the marketplace would be a kind gesture, but I also don't think it'd do much.

Ya, you guys are talking about TheBernMan - right? I haven't talked to him in a few weeks, but he's quite busy in real life - and I'm sure he'll come back buying art and supporting the local artists real soon.

[kami]

Good sometimes and not so good other times. Right now I'm struggling a little but I don't blame the market. My style is a bit...'unique', so I can understand why my stuff isn't selling xD

Maybe posting lineart with flat color or something, and charging for shade by site style.

That's a great way to sell pets^^ Nice idea!

[GGitzOle]

I think its been doing well; I got a lot of emails from people who said they could help me out when I posted a thread

[cpvr]

I think its been doing well; I got a lot of emails from people who said they could help me out when I posted a thread

Good to hear - and one thing I've noticed - a lot of buyers are gone, right?
Well, perhaps, how do you think we can fix this issue?

[vilkdage]

you should invest in to advertisement. It's really hard to find this site ><

[Liz]

i am not selling much art on here or any other sites.

[Trevor Rose]

I like to think my web designs are nice, but it looks like no one is buying web designs for their pet sites, or just aren't interested in my work at the moment.

[cpvr]

you should invest in to advertisement. It's really hard to find this site ><

We don't have ad dollars to do it right now - once we do, we'll launch an advertising campaign through Project wonderful

We're mainly growing right now through word of mouth - and that seems to be going well for us.