Just another website offering services to artists?
On first glance of the MyArtBrief website you’d be forgiven for coming to that conclusion (as we did), but with a closer look at the information they provide, services available and low commission rates, a more fitting conclusion can be reached by the addition of the word ‘not’. They are not just another website offering services to artists.
There are a growing number of online services available to help artists sell their work. How can an artist choose between them to avoid spending time managing profiles across all services?
We were contacted by the creators of MyArtBrief, not with a view to promote their site but with a request to partner with them to offer their registered artists a discount on our materials. We believe they have created a previously unavailable, unique service so we’ve decided to do both!
MyArtBrief matches the customer’s requirements to artists with matching skills, in the form of a brief, at the click of a button. The entire commissioning process is managed online through intuitive screens and we feel certain they are going to reach their goal of bringing art commissioning to the many and not just the few! Registered artists can also list their existing artwork for sale at a low commission rate compared to other more established art-sales websites. If you are an artist that takes commissions this site could be a godsend.
So, how does it work?
The process starts with the user of the service submitting their brief for review. There are three ways a brief can be created:
1. The most powerful is the ‘Create Similar Brief’ option from an image of existing artwork uploaded by registered artists. A visitor to the site simply clicks the button and their brief is created for the artist referencing the artwork. They simply need to update their description with their bespoke requirements and upload additional images if required. This option is great for customers who wish a similar artwork but in a different colour or size. It’s a great option for artists who enjoy creating work similar to their other work but to new specifications.
2. The second option is to build a brief directly for an artist that the customer has chosen from the ‘Inspiration’ page because they specifically like their work and want something in the artist’s style. This can be done by selecting the ‘Create Brief for Artist’ button on the artist’s profile page. They’ll be shown the options that the artist has selected on their profile and they can detail their requirements in the description section and upload additional images if required.
3. The third option is to build a brief from scratch using the ‘Create Brief’ option from the main menu and would be used when they know exactly what they are looking for and only want to see artists that match their requirements. When they save their brief they’ll be shown all matching artists and can submit to all or browse the profiles and artwork to make selections.
All briefs are reviewed for completeness by a support team before linking to matching artists which triggers automated emails and when an artist logs in there will be a ‘New Brief’ notification at the top of the screen that links directly to the brief.
An artist can be assured that they will only receive briefs that are relevant to them and receipt of brief notification emails can be configured as Immediate, Daily, Twice Weekly, Weekly or Never if the Artist would prefer to check via login.
The artist can start an online conversation with the creator of the brief which again triggers emails and notifications.
If the brief is specific or when a conversation has answered any questions, the artist can build a ‘Quote and Schedule’ using a simple intuitive screen and submit for acceptance.
When the creator of the brief accepts a quote, they must agree to a consumer contract which pulls in their Brief, Quote, Schedule and supporting Conversation before they are taken to the payment page to pay the full fee up front. The artist’s fee is held in a holding account until the brief is complete and the creator of the brief receives their artwork. The artist manages the commission entirely online and can submit review stage images and manage shipping from their ‘Sale History’ page. ‘Elapsed Weeks’ on the quote is set to specific dates for easier reference while the commission is in progress.
If anything goes wrong during the commission process, either party can open a dispute and the Dispute Support Team will manage the process on a case-by-case basis.
So where do Jackson’s fit into all of this?
Well, from their Information For Artists page they have the following three goals:
1. We aim to be the site for Sales and Commissions for UK Artists
2. Make UK Artists’ work as affordable as possible by having low commission rates
3. Bring art commissioning to the many, not just the few.
MyArtBrief asked us if we could help out with goal 2 by passing on their 5% affiliate commission to their artists when they make a purchase so we’ve implemented that and matched that 5% to give all MyArtBrief registered Artists an exclusive 10% deduction on all purchases on the Jackson’s site.
When you sign up and receive confirmation that your profile is approved and live, you’ll be asked permission to send your registered email address to us for inclusion into the discount offer and if given, they’ll arrange with us for you to be added to the scheme. (There are a few products on the Jackson’s website that are not included in the discount scheme.)
Sign up to the MyArtBrief site is free. The website and services are funded from a 7.5% (plus VAT) commission of the artist fee in a ‘Quote for Bespoke Artwork'(only if quote is accepted) and a 15% (plus VAT) commission for a sale of existing artwork. Bespoke artwork has a lower percentage because they charge a 7.5% (plus VAT) service fee to the creator of the brief to use the service to find an artist and manage the brief.
If you accept commissions then we see no reason not to sign up and use the MyArtBrief services. If you have avoided working to commission due to issues of managing the process and customer’s requirements, then maybe this service can make you reconsider and further your online art business.
If you have your own website containing your biography and portfolio, they are currently offering a service where they use your existing website and build your MyArtBrief Profile and Galleries for you. To take advantage of this simply email their info email address with the request and they’ll take it from there.
One of their registered artists, MartinD, who also has an account with Jackson’s Art, has recently completed his first brief using the service and had this to say about the experience:
‘From my first contact via email from the Artist Support Lead at MyArtBrief I have had nothing short of a professional and courteous relationship. Their support team are quick to respond to any queries and the website is very easy to use. The service is just for UK Artists so my profile and portfolio aren’t lost in a sea of imagery with artists from all over the globe as was the case in more established online services where I could only sell my existing Artwork. I’m excited and looking forward to receiving more commissions in the coming weeks following their marketing campaigns and with the recent addition of sales, this could be the only website I need.’
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