YOU DON’T HAVE A PRICE PROBLEM - YOU HAVE A POSITIONING PROBLEM
If your sales are slow, your first thought is probably, “Maybe my prices are too high.”
So you lower them.
You discount.
You slash.
You sell yourself short - hoping it’ll finally move the needle.
But nothing changes. Or worse - the lower price makes people take you even less seriously.
Because here’s the truth: when people hesitate to buy, it’s usually not about the number.
It’s about the story your brand is telling.
Back in late 2001, the least price for my commissioned drawings was $500.
I didn't have an audience. However, when I did influencer campaigns then, people constantly argued and debated that price.
Right now (2025), my least price is $1500. People don't argue or debate it. Rarely does it happen. If they can't afford it or it's not in their budget, they simply walk away from it.
In fact, someone told me in an email recently that I should be charging more.
What changed? My art? Yes, I did improve in skill, but if I showed you my paintings from late 2000s-2023, they don't feel "that" out of place. What really changed was how people perceived me, the Artist.
You don’t just need your art to be affordable - you need it to feel WORTH IT.
And that only happens when your positioning makes people believe the price makes sense.
Most artists don’t have a pricing problem - they have a perception problem.
You say your art is premium - but your packaging feels amateur.
You say it's valuable but you're emphasizing the medium instead of the emotional value to the audience.
You say it’s high-value - but your presentation is rushed.
You post like a side hustle - but want to earn like a gallery.
That disconnect is where buyers lose trust.
Because no one wants to feel scammed.
No one wants to spend big on something that feels unstable.
And no one wants to guess whether what you’re offering is worth it.
The moment someone sees your art, they’re asking themselves:
Does this look like the price it’s asking for?
Do I feel good about what I’m getting?
Can I trust the person selling it?
If your positioning doesn’t answer those questions clearly - they scroll.
Even if they love the piece.
Even if they like you.
Even if it’s “affordable” by their standards.
So let’s fix the real issue.
It’s not about lowering the price.
It’s about lifting the experience.
Ask yourself:
• If I took the price tag away, would someone still assume this is a high-end piece?
• Does my photography, caption, and brand energy support my pricing?
• Do I sound like a confident, established artist or like someone hoping for luck?
• Would a complete stranger feel safe investing in me based on what they see?
PRICE ONLY LANDS WELL WHEN IT'S REINFORCED BY PRESENCE.
When your content looks clean.
When your editing is great.
When your captions communicate confidence and connection.
When your brand feels cohesive, intentional, and thought-out.
People aren’t just buying the product.
They’re buying the experience of owning it.
And if that experience feels cheap, inconsistent, or vague - they won’t pay, no matter how low the number gets.
So here’s the real strategy:
Don’t lower your prices.
Raise your positioning.
Get clear. Get consistent. Get intentional.
Make your offer look and feel like it’s worth every penny.
And watch how quickly people start treating your art like the premium work it already is.
Mind you, I'm still in process. I want to be tagged as a "luxury artist". But I'm still working my way there by the decisions and investments I make into the "look and feel" of Tomiwa Arts
And in case you’re tired of shrinking your prices just to stay “affordable” remember...
Pricing doesn’t drive sales - perception does.
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