Getting started...

ashepp

Hi Folks,
I'm trying to start a side business in selling fine art prints both online as well as offline in galleries and local coffee shops.

My portfolio is located at http://ashepp.smugmug.com and I plan on customizing the domain shortly.

My thinking has been to take a multi pronged strategy to try and sell prints and I could really use any advice or feedback.

My main topic is local street photography around Seattle and I'm thinking my the audience is likely to be tourists and residents who are looking for a somewhat quirky but memorable view of Seattle. I'm a Brit who's lived here for 12 years and as a foreigner in a strange land I think I bring a somewhat unique view to the traditional Seattle pic.

For Online my thoughts are:

1) Pair down the portfolio to only the best
2) Buy Google Ad Keywords for 'seattle photography, pike place photography, etc'
3) Promote to friends and family
4) Create an online book with blurb

For Offline my thoughts are:
1) Show blurb book to galleries, coffee shops
2) Try and get into a gallery where tourists tend to congregate, e.g. Pike Place
3) Approach local coffee shops to hang art

I know this isn't an exact science but is there any obvious stuff I'm missing or might want to consider?
Is my portfolio site up to snuff? Would you make any additional changes or additions?

Appreciate any and all advice
Sincerely
Adam.

catspaw

in addition to fine art prints, also consider doing fine art note cards and smaller stuff that lots of tourists pick up since they have limited luggage space.

good luck! sounds like a decent plan. I'm not in the area to know what sort of competition you have but sounds like you have your target audience and have a good idea of how to get to them.