Building Trust Locally: Start with Yourself

Building anything worth a damn takes time and effort, and that includes building trust. Having trust will help people be comfortable buying art online from you, especially over the internet. Start by getting your name,  your art and yourself in front of people's eyes!
   Get out of the studio.When trying to market your art and yourself, it's important to get out into your local art world and get seen, get involved, and get known. You want to be an entrepreneur, and more than just an artist. Nobody ever makes a name for themselves by sitting around, except maybe that poor fellow who was fused to his chair. I've never heard of a famous reclusive artist, at least not while that artist was alive.
   Get into a gallery. This should be the first thing you try. Aim high! Gallery owners and curators are all different, so approach each gallery personally about setting up a time to view your work. Don't just pop in with a portfolio. They don't have time for that. Don't email them a bunch of pictures. They hate that! A real, physical visit is best. Go to the galleries that might display work similar to yours, or at least display a wide variety that might welcome your art. While you're working at that, get busy with some of the other ideas listed here!
   Exhibit at art shows. Get a booth at one of the arts fairs in or around your area. This will get you meeting people as well as showing your work. Relationships get started here. If you consider your work 'fine art', then try to stay away from craft shows. You won't be among the right crowd, and you're highly unlikely to sell. 
   Exhibit at nontraditional places. I've had my work at beauty shops, bookstores, restaurants, coffee shops, and even a kitchen cabinet display store. Very little sold, but I did attract a lot of attention. Part of marketing is repetition, getting your name out over and over.
   Enter local competitions or juried events. These types of exhibits and events are generally judged by other artists or art lovers. These jurists likely won't be able to see your name on the art until after their decisions have been made. If you get in, your name and your work is out for prominent people to see. Usually there will be some sort of reception. You will have the chance to show yourself off! If you don't get in, try again next year!
   Attend arts and cultural functions. If you don't make it into a juried show, go to the reception anyway. Go to other receptions around you. Go to museum functions. Go to concerts and plays. Talk to people. You'll find that you will often run into the same people at different events. You will start developing contacts and even friendships that will carry you far.

   Once you've sufficiently exposed your work and your name to the local art and culture scene, it's time to get busy finding or making your place in the community.