Mastodon really punches above its weight for me as an artist with an online shop.

[colinstu@birdbutt.com]

@hootalex if you've got any secrets to share, I think some folks would love to hear!
Some seem to really struggle to build an audience or interactions or sales. (and they alttxt properly etc too)

[cdevroe@mastodon.social]

@hootalex I really need to stop by your shop in Scranton soon!

[idzie@kolektiva.social]

@hootalex I love your art, and was excited to see you here! Makes me happy to hear this. :)

[noodlemaz@mstdn.games]

@hootalex what are your top #art #fediart #MastoArt type tags?

[nemereth@meow.social]

@hootalex
Glad to hear it! I can say myself that I've ordered from you because I came across you on Mastodon!

[benroyce@mastodon.social]

@hootalex

because #mastodon is real

i'm not just talking about markov chain chatbots, AI slop, mindless trolls working agendas, etc, on centralized corporate #socialMedia

i'm saying the plastic bullshit on such traditional social media creates an ethos of detachment and mindless consumption

rather than genuine human engagement

mastodon emphasizes that

sometimes it gets heated

but again: that's real, not the social climate of manufactured fake bullshit we see elsewhere

[paneerakbari@mas.to]

@hootalex well shoot, I just placed an order

[stingraybadger@zirk.us]

@hootalex

This place is great when I want to buy from indie shops like yours.

I love your stamps... Could you let us know when you've restocked please?

[9risk@mastodon.social]

@hootalex buena referencia para @Mastodon @Mastodon@mstdn.social 👍

[hootalex@mastodon.social]

@colinstu I wish I knew all the secrets but I'll share what I think is working for me!

-A realistic but consistent art sharing schedule. (I've seen people say you need to post every single day but I cannot and will not ever do that!!)

-Separate art and shop accounts. I actually don't do this on Mastodon, but every other social network *severely penalizes* you once they find out you are trying to make a living.

[hootalex@mastodon.social]

@colinstu

-A real secret I can share is that people will ask you for prints and then never buy them. I have seen other artists complain about this too. 😆 So if you're starting out I recommend focusing on smaller things like stickers so you don't have a bunch of prints taking up space! I do still sell prints, but I am at peace that they will move very slowly and take up space.

-Another thing about prints- I have *never* had any luck with print on demand. Tried that for months- no sales.

[hootalex@mastodon.social]

@StingrayBadger Thank you and I will update. Currently in the process :)

[hootalex@mastodon.social]

@paneerakbari See this is what I'm talking about!! :D

(Thank you! :)

[hootalex@mastodon.social]

@colinstu

-Sometimes you just need new product photos. I've excitedly shared new things to zero fanfare... then I shamefully delete and take a new photo and it does much better! My Grackles were like this.

I'll let you know if anything else comes to mind!!

[colinstu@birdbutt.com]

@hootalex that is a great idea! well they all are, thank you for sharing them so far!