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David Dehner

2 Years Ago

New Members - Start Here

I Just Joined Fine Art America / Pixels Now What Do I Do?



OK – you have some great photographs or you have been painting and have a bit of an inventory that can make you some money.
So you joined FAA and you are ready to sell your original paintings and/or prints of your photographs and/or paintings and great products featuring your images.


Great move on your part, FAA is the perfect place to do all that, but how do you get started?


You could just start posting your images and filling in the info required and hit the submit button – There, that was easy, now just wait for the sales to roll in. Right?



Not quite that easy - Although some members do just that and actually make some sales. If that is what your intent is you can stop reading and go for it.

If you are serious and want to have the best chance at success then let’s do it the right way.





1. Profile Image

Uploading a profile image is very important for your success. You can use any image you want. (G Rated Only). Some members think the wackier the image the more attention it will get. That is entirely up to you.

My feeling is post an image that will instill confidence in your potential customers. A nice portrait of yourself is a good choice (close up) not so far away that you cannot be seen.

One of your best paintings or photographs can also be a fine choice – but do pick an image and complete your Profile Image. If you do not place a profile image you will not be found on FAA/Pixels.



2. Enter Your Biography

I would suggest before you go any further you should enter your Biography. Here is where you tell your story.

Author Martin Stellar said.

Even if your story is in itself not all that unique or remarkable, you need to tell it and I'm about to explain why. This is important: Don't think for one moment that your story isn't important or remarkable enough. Your story is important. It is remarkable.

Not because of what that story is, but – and this is the crux of the whole idea – because your story makes you more human. Telling your story makes it easier for people to identify with you. You become more relatable to others when you have a story, any story (as long as it's true of course). People will be more endeared to you; people will like you more because of your story.

And that is the great importance of it all: People need to know, like and trust before they decide to buy something. Your story largely takes care of that liking part. Trust me. Even if you feel that your story isn't spectacular or doesn't matter. It's your story.

It matters. It helps people like you more; it helps build trust and engagement. Your story helps you sell your art.

Tell your story.

Just a few things that should not be in your story. Do not say things like.

“I am an amateur”. “Please buy my images, I need the money”. “I just purchased a camera and started shooting”. “Last week I bought my first canvas and found I love to paint”.

If any of these things are true – you don’t need to lie – Just don’t add them to your Biography.





3. Default Settings

Now is a great time to fill in all your markups – this is the amount of profit you get for each sale.

Go to Settings and then GENERAL click on the DEFAULT SETTINGS. Take your time and fill in all your markups. When you are finished do not forget to click the SAVE CHANGES button.

If there are items you do not wish to sell - just leave the mark-up blank - no -0 no - dash - just blank.

Now when you upload images all your markups will automatically fill with the amounts you selected in the DEFAULT SETTINGS.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I CHARGE?

That is entirely up to you – no one can tell you what to charge for your work. If you’re unsure you can search the site and see what other artist are charging for their work.



4. Create Your First Product

You’re ready to upload your first image

Make sure your presentation is impeccable. When your artwork is poorly photographed, it says you don't value it. Take a look at your photos or scans and be honest with yourself about this. Is your work treated and shown as if it has great value? Give your work the treatment and presentation it deserves.

Just above your profile image - Click Upload Image.

TITLE – Give it a short but descriptive title – “A Beautiful Scene” will not tell perceptive buyers that your image is actually a Butterfly on wildflowers in Central Park.

The site will automatically populate keywords and descriptions, Plus, you have the flexibility to supplement or modify the autogenerated metadata according to your preferences. Whether you want to add additional keywords or fine-tune the descriptions, the choice is yours.

KEYWORDS – Very important for internal search – you can use up to 500 characters, use them all if you can. Note: they must relate to the image. Do not use words or phrases that have nothing to do with the image you are uploading.

DESCRIPTION - Just like your biography when you're uploading art into your gallery, use the "Description" field to tell the story behind the art. Google loves a good story and that can help you in searches. Tell what it is, where it is, why you created it or photographed it.

Pick your Artwork Category and fill in your medium,


Now scroll down and adjust your image on the products you wish to sell. Taking a few moments now to adjust the images will let your potential buyers see them in the best viewpoint.

Don’t forget to hit the SUBMIT button when you are done.

Now you have your first image posted, Very little will happen until you have at least 10 images posted. 100, 200 or 1000 is even better.


Once you get started on any POD site - It is up to you to drive customers to your work. The site will advertise the general site but it is not their job to drive customers to your specific work - that is your job. Use social media, blogs, business cards, art shows, anything that will drive folks to see your work on your sales page.


5. Getting Paid

You followed all the suggestions above and you’re ready for your 1st sale but you need to do the following to get paid your markup.

Go to Settings and then Accounting open Payment Information and enter your PayPal email address. If you do not have a PayPal account, you can set one up for free by visiting http://paypal.com.

If you live in the USA before leaving Accounting open Tax Information and fill out all the information.

Remember – you won’t get paid until you complete this section.


6. Settings

Take a tour of Settings, open all the links and take your time reading all the great things you can do with your new membership. There is a wealth of information at your fingertips.

If you still have questions go to the Main Discussion board and open the “Sticky” posts. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage because there is a great deal of helpful information there.


Still have questions? Search for your question on the main discussion board - Not There? - Post your question on the main discussion board – There are a lot of friendly and knowledgeable members ready to assist.

Note: do not post private information on the discussion board it is a public forum.


Still scratching your head about an unanswered question? Get to the bottom of any page and open the Contact Us button.

Customer Service (For Orders Only)

Technical Support is for members with technical questions about using the site.


Good Luck, Welcome and Enjoy

David Dehner

Reply Order

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Abbie Shores

2 Years Ago

David, I reactivated this so people could ask for help direct. I hope you do not mind

 

David Dehner

2 Years Ago

I was surprised to see it here - But No - I do not mind at all.

 

Monisha Singh

2 Years Ago

Thank you, this post was very informative because I just joined today.

 

David Dehner

2 Years Ago

Your welcome Monisha - glad it was helpful

 

Stefani Ivanova

2 Years Ago

This was really helpful thanks!

 

David Dehner

2 Years Ago

Your welcome Stefani - Remember to rotate your profile picture so we can see you better : )

 

Sally Stone

2 Years Ago

Thanks for reposting this, Abbie. This was very helpful in getting me started.
I have a question about submitting art:

I'd like to submit a .png that's used only for t-shirts.
I'd like to submit a separate .jpg with my own background for other artwork.

If I do NOT want the .png to be used for other artwork, do I simply delete the pricing? Please advise.

***
I have a second question about image collections and galleries.
Does the art I upload automatically populate my image collections? If not, how do I set up galleries and image collections?

Thanks for your support as I figure out the workflow here!javascript: document.replyForm.submit();

Sally

 

David Dehner

2 Years Ago

Hi Sally,

When you are uploading an image each product (Apparel, Puzzles, Tote Bags, etc.) will have a "Customize Product" Button, select that button and that will allow you to size the image and upload other images such as PNG images.

So you can upload a JPG for the main image and also upload a PNG for select products.



Collections:

On your main page - click on "Collections" just below your profile image >

Top Center of page click on "Create New Collection" >

Fill in the collection Name and Description > Don't forget to hit the submit button >

Now - While you are uploading an image and customizing products you will see your collections and you can chose to add that image to any of your collections.



I would suggest you go ahead and hit the "Upload Image" button just above your Profile Picture and run though a practice upload - you can back out anytime before you hit submit and this will help you get used to the upload tool.


Same with the rest of the site - just visit all the areas of the site to see what everything does.

 

Tony RIGGINS

2 Years Ago

Im having trouble submitting my artwork due to the file format and I have tried several acceptable formats could someone be kind enough to instruct me the proper way so I don't pull what little hair I have left out.

 

David Dehner

2 Years Ago

Hi Tony,

This can happen when you have just uploaded from an SD card version or are using a mobile device. Their updates stopped images saving as jpg and are now saving as HEIC or HEIF

You can go into your settings on your mobile devise and change it to not do that.



This can also happen to any image.

You may need to open your photo editor and open the image and then RE-SAVE AS jpg or png

 

Lyne LM Seguin

2 Years Ago

Hi My name is showing Lyne Seguin, but I wish for my art for my profile, that LM Séguin would show no accent is ok
can you help me please thank you

if I want a shower curtain with one of my paintings for surprise, how could I proceed, thank you, i would buy it myself. Thank you

 

David Dehner

2 Years Ago

Hi Lyne,

If you only want your name changed next to your Profile Image you can follow the instructions below.

But if you want your URL changed you will need to contact Tech Support by scrolling to the footer of this page and using the Contact Us button.

To only change the name next to your profile image:
Hover over your name (Upper Right Corner) then - on the drop down menu
Click (Settings > Scroll down and hit (Contact Information) > Change your name and don’t forget to hit (Save Changes)
Remember – doing this will only make changes to the name on the screen – it will not change your URL


To purchase a Shower Curtain:

Go to your Pixels Store - https://pixels.com/profiles/lyne-seguin?tab=artwork

Sign in with your normal sign in information

Select the image you want > Click Home Décor > Shower Curtain and make your purchase.

The price you see on the screen is your price without your mark-up

 

Kathleen McCoy

2 Years Ago

Thank you for this information. I've been hopefully doing this correctly all this time, but I'm going back over things to make certain now.
I find it hard sharing information about myself, but if needs must then I will. I will try and make it more interesting to potential (hopefully) customers.

 

Ashley Pruitt

2 Years Ago

Will you get paid using the PayPal linked to the email the account is setup with or will it ask for you preferred PayPal when the time comes?

 

David Dehner

2 Years Ago

Hi Kathleen, I often go over my site to see what needs to be cleaned up or changed - Thanks for dropping by and reading my post. Glad you found some helpful information.



Hi Ashley, Welcome to FAA / Pixels glad you joined - - Have Fun creating and I wish you luck. - You just need to add the PayPal email you used to open your PP account.

 

Sally Stone

2 Years Ago

Hi David,

Thanks for the tips. I'm going to try them out in the next couple of days. I don't mind experimenting, but having a few guideposts along the way is extremely helpful.

I'm also enjoying everyone else's questions and your answers. Very helpful.

Thanks,
Sally

 

Santosh Khadgaha

2 Years Ago

Great information shared for beginners on FAA. i just joined & thank you for the help extended.

 

David Dehner

2 Years Ago

I look forward to seeing some of your work Sally.


Welcome to FAA / Pixels Santosh - Good luck with your new endeavor.

 

Ann Pimblott

2 Years Ago

Thank you so much this was helpful. I have a question, I uploaded my bio on the fine Art America site but when I go to my personal pixel site my bio says coming soon. How do I add my bio to my personal website?
Thanks
Ann

 

David Dehner

2 Years Ago

Hi Ann,

I see your Bio on your Fine Art America and your Pixels sites.

When it comes to your Premium Pixels site you will need to enter your Bio again - the Bio does not auto fill in the premium site.


Open your Premium Pixels site > Sign In > Click Edit (Upper right) > Click Homepage (Left Menu) > Click About > Fill in your info and don't forget to hit Save Changes when your done.

 

Ann Pimblott

2 Years Ago

Thank you so much David I have updated it now. I know where to come with my questions now. 🙂

 

Ann Pimblott

2 Years Ago

Actually I just thought of another question. I have had one of my paintings featured in a group and I want to post a picture of it and thank them. How do I upload the picture to the message?
Thanks
Ann

 

David Dehner

2 Years Ago

Hi Ann,

Just open the image in question >

Scroll down the right hand side until you see EMBED >

Under Embed - copy the code >

Paste that code in the discussion post >


NOTE: you will only see the code until you hit "Post Reply" - then the image will show

 

Leslie Brasher

2 Years Ago

David, this is such helpful information. Thank you!!! I have been trying to figure out if there is a way to have one of my images only visible to people I give a link to. I'm in a group of artists, and we want to upload the group logo so that members can order items with the logo. But we don't want people who are NOT members to be able to purchase items with the logo on them. Is this possible?

Thank you!

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David Dehner

2 Years Ago

Hi Leslie,

Yes there is a great way to do just that.

With a private collection - I see you already have three collections so this will be easy for you.



Making A Private Collection

You can make a private collection where only you or someone you give the password to can view the images in that collection.

Sign-In to your account

Open “Collections” Just under your Profile Image

Near the top of the page (Center) open “Create New Collection”

Name the Collection and just under Collection Description open the drop-down menu on Password Protected and select yes – Enter Password and don’t forget to hit “Submit” before closing.

Note: when you are signed-in you will be able to see the password protected images – But visitors cannot see them without the password.


If you want to keep those images private do not put them in any collection except that private collection.

You can have more than one private collection if you need to.

Now - give your group the password and you can all see them. - But no one else can.

 

Karen Conger

12 Days Ago

Thank you, David. It does help and I appreciate your advice and certainly will not open my own group. I get sufficient personal gratification from 140 groups. I will dampen that down a bit! I didn't know there were so many I had joined. That appears to be something else I should have checked. My gratification is waning. Smile.

I will contact Abbie for the other questions. Again, thank you so much!






 

Fat Cat Clothing

12 Days Ago

Just started on FAA with a quite bit of confusion but honestly this helped me lots. Any advice you could give on how consistent you should be with posting? Thank you again sir!

 

David Dehner

12 Days Ago

Hi Fat Cat,

There is really no one answer to your question -

It depends on what you are comfortable with -

If you have lots of work ready to upload, by all means post them at your own pace - just keep in mind -

Good Quality clear images - take the time to make sure your upload is the best it can be.

Welcome and good luck.

 

David Dehner

12 Days Ago

All new members,

Welcome to FAA / Pixels, so glad you joined us.

If you haven’t done so already a great place to gain understanding of how everything functions is to open the links in the FAQ thread.

https://fineartamerica.com/showmessages.php?messageid=4839599

When you’re done with the FAQ’s take a tour of Settings,
(Hover over your name – upper right corner – click on Settings in the drop-down-menu).
Open all the links and take your time browsing all the great things you can do with your new membership.

After Settings a wealth of information is in the Footer of this page – Grab a favorite beverage – Lots of info down there.

If you still have questions. Complete a search for the answer on the main discussion board - Not There? Post your question on the main discussion board – There are a lot of friendly and knowledgeable members ready to assist.

Have fun creating and best of luck.

 

Karen Conger

12 Days Ago

Thank you David and Abbey! I am now where I hoped to be. Still at the starting line but at least I feel like I'm starting! Thanks so much! Karen LF to both of you!

 

K Simmer

11 Days Ago

Thank you for the suggestions on getting started!

 

Karen Conger

10 Days Ago

Help with the abbreviations please.
F/LF - following/Like/Favorite?

What are the others? I see v for vote. I also see t and a couple others. I forget what they are now. It does add to the discussions to add these, I think.

So, is there a protocol for 'universal' understanding - to know it would be much appreciated!
Thank you!

 

Lucia Waterson

10 Days Ago

Yes Karen, you are correct for F/LF

v is for voted in a contest where you entered an image

And t is for twitter (although now it's called x)

Then we have P for Pinterest

And Fb is Facebook

 

Karen Conger

10 Days Ago

Thank you, Lucia! I have started showing the title of the art I am favoriting in the thank you to those who comment on my art. Is that something useful to anyone? Thanks!

 

Ishan Ahmed

8 Days Ago

Good work

 

Karen Conger

8 Days Ago

Deleted

 

Karen Conger

8 Days Ago

Deleted

 

David Dehner

7 Days Ago

Hi Karen,

This is an open site so that customers can purchase our works and contact us by using the contact button - that means the public can send us messages though FAA mail / contact - unfortunately that also means that scammers can contact us just like everywhere else on the internet.

If you suspect that an email or text message you received is a phishing or scam attempt:

• Do not open it. In some cases, the act of opening it may cause you to compromise the security of your information.

• Delete it immediately to prevent yourself from accidentally opening the message in the future.

• Do not download any attachments accompanying the message. Attachments may contain malware such as viruses, worms or spyware.

• Never click links that appear in the message. Links embedded within these messages may direct you to fraudulent websites.

• Do not reply to the sender. Ignore any requests the sender may solicit and do not call phone numbers provided in the message.





Your 2nd post about deleted images -

Deleted images will stop showing at some point - like you said they are not live links any longer and go to the general site - I concentrate on uploading my work, running my groups, joining contests and making sales - all the other stuff is just noise : )

If I run across something that prevents me from completing those things - then I contact support for a fix - the only thing closing the account will do is prevent you from making sales - So the scammers and the bugs - win.

 

Karen Conger

7 Days Ago

Deleted

 

Melissa Oltman

6 Days Ago

Thanks for this, David - clear, concise and available all in one place. SO much appreciated.

 

Brandy Ketcher

4 Days Ago

This was excellent information. So helpful. Thank you

 

Angela Tomkinson

4 Days Ago

Thank you

 

Claire Wojnowiak

3 Days Ago

Thank you!!

 

Mia-Maria Wikstrom

3 Days Ago

Thank you, this post was very informative, have a nice day

 

L Rosenthal

2 Days Ago

This is excellent information. Can you tell me how I add an image to a discussion page? For example, some discussion pages say to add your favorite image (of someone else's work) to the discussion. How do I add the image and not just the url referring to it? Thanks for the help.

 

David Dehner

2 Days Ago

Hi L Rosen,

Open the image you want to post

Scroll down the right hand side of the image page

When you get to EMBED – copy the Embed code and paste it to the discussion / Image Thread

Note: Only the code will show until after you hit “Post Reply” – then your image will show.

 

L Rosenthal

2 Days Ago

David that worked. thanks so much!

 

This was great, thanks.

 

Very helpful

 

Martin Leung-Wai

19 Hours Ago

Thank you David for your wisdom and help.

 

Barbara J Rogers

9 Hours Ago

How do I post “ featured “ on a group on my site when my images have been featured in a particular group?

 

David Dehner

7 Hours Ago

Hi Barbara,

That is automatic - when a group features your work that groups name automatically posts in the Featured section - an artist cannot add too or change that area.

Note: only the most recent three groups will show in that area.

When your work is featured in a group you can always add a comment under your image thanking the group admin for featuring your work - that way anyone viewing that image can see all your featured thank you posts.

 

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