Customer Reviews

The Art of Selling Art

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

After reading this book I would avoid all books by this author and this publisher. The book reads as if it were written from start to finish in one sitting--as if the author were jotting a causal letter to a friend. It is unbelievable that an editor did not correct the numerous typos, grammatical errors and weak sentences in this text. In addition, the book is completing lacking in factual data and has very little insight to the art business. Almost any sales person from almost any field could have written this book.

Chris Johnson
Owner
Johnsonese Gallery
Chicago, IL

I received this book after about 2.5 months. I was eagerly awaiting its arrival. I figured the hefty price for the book was warranted because it MUST contain valuable information that I don't already have. I was mistaken. This book contains a series of scripts, that in this reader's opinion, are not something I would say to any of my clients. I am about half way finished with this book and I'm still looking for the nugget of information that would make this purchase worthwhile. If I don't locate it, the book is going back to Amazon.com. Don't waste your time or money on this one.

Wow, this lady explains how to overcome any objection that a customer will give you for not buying a piece of art. Her approach works really well if you're working in a commercial or fine art gallery. She understands why prospects buy art. I've already used two of her ideas to increase my sales. You have to understand that art is something which truly has to be sold to a prospect. Therefore to be successful with her techniques, you have to memorize the phrases she uses until you can say them naturally with sincerity and empathy to your customers. She truly shows you how to sell art and what to say to anybody in order to successfully close a sale. Every time I reread the book, I learn something new. I hi-lited almost every sentence in this book.

I paid over $40 for this book. It is completely outdated and furthermore,
there are typos throughout the entire book. I would think that someone
publishing ANY book would use a spell check before having it published.
I thought it was very unprofessional.

Zella Jackson's instructions are right on the money. A very easy read although the occassional typos and gramar problems are a bit annoying. Especially for a 2nd edition. If you are in the industry this is a must. I look forward to her other books.

The funny thing about customer reviews is you never know if they are written by a competitor or someone with a personal vendetta - especially the anonymous ones. The last reviewer admitted that he did not even read the book! Well, I have read the book, and use the information all the time in my business- it is not just for art. I attribute a large part of the success of my business directly to Zella. The fact is, this book has launched more art sales careers in the last 25 years than probably any other. I work with hundreds of art consultants as a supplier of art software, and I can tell you that many people attribute at least part of their success to The Art of Selling Art and Zella Jackson. You don't have to believe me, just ask around at any art gallery for yourself. Yes, some people don't believe in her sales philosophy, but many others follow it like a religion. You will never find a sales program that everyone agrees with all the time, but that is because sales are half art, half science - it is open to everyone's personal opinion and experience. The fact is, the information in this book is too valuable to pass up, and has very well stood the test of time.
Doug Spinn,
President
Spinnsoft, Inc

.

As an Art Manager, I have been wanting to get the information found in Zella's book for years. The Art of Selling Art is not just another good book - it is one of those rare and valuable books that I will keep, read often, and recommend to anyone in the art business. It comes as close as anything so far to defining the real character of creatively selling art in today's world. I can't help but think it should be necessary reading for ALL of us in the business!
Dawn Spears
Art Manager

I routinely recieve letters from readers but this one stood out written by a new gallery owner in Switzerland (English is her second language):

Dear Zella,

I was very pleased to meet you at this year's New York Art Expo. Last year I ordered your very interesting and useful books about selling art, building up collectors, and managing a gallery. I learned a lot from your books and I still do.

Thank you for all your precious suggestions! Please let me know as soon as you plan a trip to Switzerlands. I could even offer you my gallery for presentations of "The Art of Selling Art" or "The Art of Managing an Art Gallery" and invite interested and people.

Best regards,

Lucilla Hermann, Owner of Kunstgalerie Artrivm Goethestr. 11, 8712 Stafa, Switzerland Tel: 01 796 39 90 Fax: 01 796 39 91