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Test your Art-Selling IQ
The Art Selling Quiz for Artists by Kathy Gulrich

How likely are you to sell your art? This simple quiz will help you find out where you stand now - and how you can increase your chances of selling more of your artwork, more easily.

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It's sometimes a mystery to me why some artists sell their artwork regularly, while others - equally talented - simply don't. When I really think about it, though, it's not as big a mystery as it first seems. With just a few exceptions, I find the difference between 'selling' and 'not selling' boils down to just one thing: doing the work.

Creating art is one thing. Marketing your art - in a consistent and businesslike manner - is quite another. For example, do all of your friends and associates know that you're a working artist, selling your art? Have you taken the time to price your work? Is your work being displayed somewhere right now? If not, why not? (Remember, if people don't see your work, they can't buy your work!)

Answers to questions like these can help you figure out why your artwork is not selling. Or give you some insights into how you can sell even more of your work.

So ... I've put together a simple (and hopefully fun!) quiz to help you test your "Art-Selling IQ." It's not meant to be a scientific study (in fact, I can assure you it's NOT!). But I think it may help you find at least one way to sell more of your artwork - starting today.

Here's how it works. Simply answer each of the following 20 questions to find out your "Art-Selling IQ".

For accurate scoring, be sure to only select one answer for each question. When not sure which answer is correct, choose the one answer that fits best. Enjoy!

How many people know your artwork is for sale?

	Virtually everyone I know
	Most of my friends and colleagues
	My close friends and family
	Just a few people

Have you priced your artwork?

	Yes - and I have a written price list
	Yes - I've figured it out, and have the prices in my head
	Well, I've priced some of my work
	Not yet

How recently have you attended an art show or gallery opening?

	This month
	Within the last 2 months
	Within the last 6 months
	More than 6 months ago, or never

When is the last time you invited someone to your studio or home to see your work?

	This month
	Within the last 2 months
	Within the last 6 months
	More than 6 months ago, or never

Is your work currently on display?

	Yes, in a gallery, show, or other public venue
	It's on display privately (friend's home, friend's office, etc.)
	It's on display in my home or studio
	My work is not currently on display

What are your art career goals for the next 6 months (or year)?

	My goals are written down, and I review them regularly
	I know where I'm heading, but haven't actually written my goals
	I have a fairly good idea of what I'd like to do with my art
	I haven't really figured out what's next

Do you have a mailing list?

	My list includes snail- and e-mail addresses, plus phone
	I have snail- OR e-mail addresses for most of my contacts
	I've just started to put a mailing list together
	I have most of the information somewhere; but it's not organized

How often do you introduce yourself as an artist?

	I always introduce myself as an artist first - and then tell someone about my 'other' job
	I usually mention my 'other' job first - then find a way to bring up the fact that I'm an artist, too
	I seldom introduce myself as an artist
	I've never told anyone (besides family/friends) that I'm an artist

How good are you at meeting deadlines?

	I never miss a deadline
	I'm usually on time
	I try to be on time, but I'm often a little late
	No matter how hard I try, I'm always late

10.

Do you have an art business card?

	Yes, and I really like it
	Yes, but I'm not happy about how it represents me (or my work)
	No, I just give out the card from my 'other' job
	No, I don't have a business card of any kind

11.

Have you applied to any juried or group art shows?

	Yes, this month
	Within the last 2 months
	Within the last 6 months
	More than 6 months ago, or never

12.

When is the last time you devoted at least half a day to visit art galleries in your area?

	I visited galleries this month
	Within the last 2 months
	Within the last 6 months
	More than 6 months ago, or never

13.

Have you written your artist bio and artist statement?

	Yes, both are ready to go
	One, but not both
	I've started, but they're not finished yet
	What's an artist statement?

14.

How about your art resume?

	It's done, and totally up to date
	It's done, but I haven't added my latest shows
	I've started it, but haven't finished yet
	It's a mess

15.

Someone asks, "What kind of artwork do you do?"...

	I'm totally prepared to explain my work in a few clear (and interesting) sentences
	I can answer pretty well, but tend to wander a bit
	I get tongue-tied to start, but can eventually explain my work
	I don't know what to say

16.

Is your name and contact information on everything that leaves your studio (artwork, resume, cover letters, note cards, etc.)?

	Yes, EVERYTHING
	On my letterhead/business papers, but not on my artwork
	On some things
	I usually forget to add it

17.

Has your artwork been professionally photographed? (Note: If your artwork IS photography, score 'a' for this question.)

	Yes, and I have two original slides of each piece
	Yes, and I have one original slide of each piece
	I took my own photographs
	No photographs yet

18.

Is your work copyrighted, and registered with the U.S. Library of Congress? (Note: If you live outside the U.S., score 'a' for this question.)

	Yes
	Copyrighted, but not yet registered with the Library of Congress
	I THINK it's copyrighted
	Not yet

19.

When is the last time you contacted your existing customers? (Note: If you've never sold your work, score 'a' for this question.)

	Within the last 3 months
	Within the last 6 months
	Within the last year
	More than a year ago, or never

20.

If a gallery called you right now, how long would it take you to have an updated, professional presentation package (resume, bio, artist statement, slides of your work, articles, etc.) ready to send?

	It would be ready today
	I could have it ready within a few days
	It would take a couple of weeks to get it together
	Realistically, more than two weeks

End of Quiz.

Your Art-Selling IQ is:

UNDERSTANDING YOUR SCORE

Your "Art-Selling IQ" is 70-80:
Wow! You've got most of the basics covered. Congratulations! You've probably already started to sell your work. If not, get out there! You're ready to go.

Your "Art-Selling IQ" is 55-69:
You're well on your way to being successful at selling your work. Use the questions in this quiz to show you where you could use some brushing-up, or a little more work, then go for it!

Your "Art-Selling IQ is 45-54:
You're off to a good start. Give yourself a big pat on the back for all the work you've done so far. Then find some energy to continue on your path. With a bit more work, and a lot of determination, you'll get there!

Your "Art-Selling IQ is 1-44:
If most of your answers were "c" or "d" because you're really new to this, that's totally okay. Just take lots of small steps (you can use these questions as a guide), and you'll get there. Really!

If you're in this scoring area and have been trying to sell your artwork for quite some time, think of this quiz as a wake-up call. It's time to step back and look at what you're doing - or NOT doing - to sell your work. Then get started anew, and go for it!

**********

So, how'd you do? Are there some areas you'd like to improve?

Just remember that when it comes to selling your work, the BUSINESS of art is just as important as creating your art (and at times, even MORE so!). So be sure to cover the basics ... always be professional ... and whatever you do, have fun.

I wish you a successful - and joyful - art career!

When not creating her own art, Kathy Gulrich coaches other artists on the business of art, helping them make the transition from full-time job to full-time artist. Learn more at http://www.smARTlearningCenter.com

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When it comes to quizzing yourself on your future, an online art degree may be the best answer! Online schools are becoming a great option for alternative learners who don't want to be tied down at a traditional brick and mortar school. There are hundreds of artists out there who have had great success with their online degrees, and you can become one of them!

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