Fun Ways to Sell Your Art Online

If selling your art online has started to feel like more work than reward, you're not alone. But it doesn’t have to be boring or exhausting. In this article, I’ll walk you through some fun ways to sell your art online that can actually work. The full video is embedded below so you can watch it right on this page, and I’ll expand on the points here to give you even more tips and ideas.

Use Comment Giveaways to Boost Engagement and Sales

One of the easiest ways to turn your social media posts into something fun and interactive is by running a comment-based giveaway. You can do this on any platform including YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, or even Pinterest. The idea is to pick a specific comment number, like the 28th commenter, and reward that person with a free product. Everyone who comments before that number gets a discount code. It turns a regular post into something people want to engage with right away.

Alternatively, you can randomly select one winner from the comments instead of choosing a set number. This works especially well when you're not sure how much engagement a post will get. If you're worried that only a handful of people will comment, or that hundreds might, a random draw gives you flexibility while still making it exciting. Use a free random comment picker or just screenshot the entries and pick manually. Either way, it keeps people interacting with your post and gives them a reason to come back next time.

This method works great for digital products like ebooks or printables, but you can also use it for physical items such as postcards, art prints, or stickers. I recommend using it sparingly, maybe once a month, so it stays special. Focus on items that are low-cost to produce and easy to ship. And always make sure the discount you're offering still allows you to make a profit. You don’t want to train your audience to expect free stuff every time, but done right, this strategy boosts your visibility and brings in real sales.

Try Live Shoppable Video Apps

If you haven’t experimented with shoppable video apps yet, you're missing out on a fun and low-pressure way to connect with art buyers. Platforms like Whatnot, Facebook Live, and TikTok Live Shopping let you sell in real time to viewers who are actively browsing. It feels like a mix between TikTok and the Home Shopping Network but is way more accessible.

You don’t need fancy equipment or professional video skills to get started. Some artists go live while holding their phones, drawing or painting, and just chatting about their products. You can list your items right in the app and let buyers check out instantly. It works especially well for art prints, postcards, and stickers, items that are under $30 and easy to ship.

Whatnot is one of the best options if you’re starting from scratch. It's free to join, and the community is already there looking to buy. You don’t need to be polished or perfect, just show up, be yourself, and share what you love to make. If you're consistent and show a variety of affordable products, it can be a really effective and surprisingly fun way to sell art online.

Pair Giveaways with a Tripwire Offer

Giveaways are a great way to build your email list, but what if you could turn that attention into sales immediately? That’s where the tripwire offer comes in. A tripwire is a super low-cost item that you show someone right after they subscribe to your list. It’s meant to convert them from a casual visitor into a paying customer right away, no complicated funnel needed.

Here’s how it works: run a giveaway on Facebook where people enter by liking, sharing, and subscribing to your email list. Once they sign up, redirect them to a page offering a one-time-only discount on a related product. If your giveaway item is a cat print, offer a matching postcard set for $3. The offer should feel like an amazing deal, low risk, fun, and too good to pass up.

This method works best when your tripwire product is something you can produce and ship inexpensively. For example, I sell postcard packs for $6 regularly, but as a tripwire, I offer them for $3. I still make a profit, and the buyer feels like they’re getting an exclusive deal. Even if only half the people take the offer, you’re turning a freebie into a real revenue stream and making it more likely they’ll come back and buy again.

Use Secret Passphrase Coupons

Secret passphrases are another great way to bring some fun into your marketing. I used to do this all the time when I had a gallery. Subscribers would get a monthly email with a funny code like “cats rule dogs drool,” and if they spent $50 and said the phrase in person, they’d get a free print. People loved it, and it gave them a reason to stay on my list and look forward to each new email.

You can do the same thing online with coupon codes. Choose something silly, seasonal, or on-brand, and make the reward worth their while, maybe a free sticker or a small discount off a favorite item. These promotions work especially well when paired with a minimum order amount, because they increase your average order value while still giving the buyer something fun and free.

It’s a small detail, but it builds loyalty and connection. Even if people don’t use the coupon every time, they’ll remember that your brand made them smile and that keeps them coming back.

Collaborate with a Complementary Creator

Want to grow your audience without paying for ads? Try a collab with someone whose products complement yours but don’t compete. Think of people who serve the same kind of buyers but sell different things. If your art is popular with families, look for a children’s book author. If your prints sell well with pet lovers, team up with a pet accessory brand.

You can do a newsletter swap, an Instagram story trade, or even a joint giveaway. Each of you sends out a discount code to your own audience for the other person’s product. It’s a great way to get in front of new buyers who are already primed to like what you make. Just make sure to choose someone whose vibe aligns with yours, and keep the promotion simple and clear.

These types of partnerships feel natural and organic, and they often lead to long-term relationships. You’re not just getting exposure, you’re making a genuine connection with both the creator and their audience.

Offer Mystery Boxes for Holiday Sales

Mystery bundles are one of my favorite ways to create excitement during gift-giving seasons. People love a surprise, especially when it feels like they’re getting way more than they paid for. You can create a box full of extra prints, postcards, stickers, or other merchandise you already have on hand.

Just make sure the items are high quality. This isn’t a clearance sale. You want the buyer to be delighted when they open the box. For example, if you sell the box for $50, fill it with products that would normally retail for $100 or more. Include a variety of items, and package it nicely so it feels like a special treat.

I run mystery box promotions once or twice a year, and they’re always some of my biggest sales events. They let me clear out older stock while giving my customers a deal they’re excited about. Plus, the surprise element turns a regular purchase into an experience and that’s something people will talk about and share.

Tools to Save Time and Boost Sales Online

Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you).

Final Thoughts

Selling art online doesn't have to feel draining. These fun ideas, from comment games and mystery boxes to secret pass phrases and collabs, can help you reconnect with your audience and actually enjoy the process again. They not only drive more sales but also build deeper relationships with your buyers.

If you want an easier way to manage your online presence, I also recommend reading my guide on the Easy Way to Build an Art Website. It walks you through how I created a fully functional art website in just one hour using tools that are beginner friendly and designed for artists.

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