I am looking for some constructive criticism about my cards. I have had more than 500 visits and no sales! Since what I'm doing isnt' working, I need to change something. But what? I realize my art needs some improvement. I am teaching myself to draw and paint, and I am getting to be a better artist. I spend some time looking at the stores of more successful artists, like Corrie Kuipers and Diana (don't know her last name), Cathie Richardson. They have text on nearly every one of their cards. I have text on most of mine. So what should I change about my cards or my store? Constructive criticism would be appreciated. Thanks. Sally

Sorry, I changed my web address and it isn't reflected when at the bottom when I post.  
 
here is the right address: www.greetingcarduniverse.com/bluegreenart

Hi Sally! I'm sure someone with far more experience, like Corrie , will reply to this, but I'll put in my two cents worth. I get a LOT of visits to my store and it doesn't necessarily equate to sales. Sometimes I make a large sale on a day when been only a few visits to the store, so I wouldn't worry about that. A lot of people may be browsing intending to return later to purchase when they need certain cards.
 
How long has your store been open? I see that you have only 16 cards up. They're lovely, and I'm sure will sell well eventually, but my advice is to keep creating cards and keep adding to your designs. As far as I can see from my limited time selling online, the more designs you have the better the chances of making sales.
 
Keep having fun with your art, make lots of designs and keep putting them up there. Be patient, you'll definitely make sales eventually!  
 
Cheers, Mariana

I to have over 600 hits and no sales...Producing more might be the secret here,I reslly don't know. It just seems to be customer likes...We have as much chance of sales as anybody else.. Its just Hit and Misss I guess...capt.

ok, another question for any of you familiar with watercolor. How do I stretch my paper so it doesn't turn out wrinkled? I have a great painting design I'd love to add, but it's wrinkly and won't scan clearly.

Hi Sally-
 
I always tape my watercolor paper securely to a board-all the way around. Then I soak the paper thoroughly and let it dry completely before I begin to paint. The paper has been stretched by this process and you should have no wrinkles. Just keep it taped until you are completely done.  
 
The other alternative is to use a block of watercolor paper (I think it's called a block). When you're done, you just carefully slice your painting (the top sheet) off the block. I've sliced a finished watercolor with the Xacto knife I was using, so be careful!
 
I prefer taping a sheet as I can then have several in various stages of completion. And the block pads are expensive.  
Hope this helps!
 
Pat_131634

Nidia, if I understand  you correctly, you're saying the only way to make sales is to buy the Writer's Market and submit designs to other card companies? Don't you mean the Artist and Graphic Designer's Market?
 
But speaking as an artist who is one of the top sellers on GCU, I can tell you that's a mistaken idea. There are a number of artists here who make sales of their GCU cards on a daily or near-daily basis. The advice given to Sally remains valid - if you want to attract customers, be sure to have plenty of designs, and try to find a niche where your cards will stand out.
 
Corrie
http://www.corrieweb.nl

Hi Sally,
First welcome to GCU!  Good for you to ask for advice, you've come to the right place.  Your peers have some wonderful art, card and GCU advice to share.
 
A few tips from me...
1. birthdays are year 'round sellers - get specific for different ages and relations
2. invitations are great for multiple card sales
3. holidays - pick a handful and start creating!
 
Familiarize yourself with all the categories and sub-categories we have.  We're adding new categories daily so take a peek often.  Here's our category map that shows card counts too:  http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/community/dir_map.asp
 
As Corrie suggests, for starters pick some categories that have a low card count.  We need cards there and you'll have a better chance of standing out.
 
At a quick glance I see we have no to few cards in these categories:
Announcements >> Adoption >> Boy, Girl, Older Child
Birthday >> Age Specific >> 14, 15, 19
Birthday >> Family >> Cousin, Father-in-Law, Son-in-Law
Birthday >> Sexy (this is a great opportunity, lots of searches & few cards)
Invitations >> Rehearsal Dinner
Invitations >> Wedding Party >> Be my Bestman?, Be my Groomsman?
Invitations >> New Year's Eve  
Holiday >> Christmas >> Babysitter
Holiday >> Christmas >> Family >> ...most of the relations need cards
Holiday >> Christmas >> Missing You
Occasion >> Anniversary >> Year Specific >> most of the years need cards
 
I'm sure that's plenty to get you started!
 
Looks like most of your cards have inside verses which is great.  They'll get more exposure than cards w/o inside verses.  Also, your keywords, titles and categorization look good.
 
Again, welcome and good luck to you!  Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.
Mindy

Thanks, everybody, and thanks, Mindy. All your suggestions were good, and I've got some ideas already. You will see come MOnday or Tuesday, I will have quite a few more I'm going to upload.