Building a strong profile

Your MadeMay profile is the first thing potential clients see. Make it count.

Portfolio images

Your portfolio is the most important part of your profile. Include high-quality images that showcase the range and quality of your work. Aim for variety -- show different styles, materials, and scales so potential clients can see what you are capable of.

Every portfolio piece should have an accurate title, subject, and medium or material. Add dimensions, the year, a useful description, and a work story when possible. These details help buyers find relevant examples, place the work in MadeMay collections, and give search engines and AI-assisted discovery enough factual context to understand and recommend your work.

Work stories

For commissioned work, explain the client brief, how you approached the piece, and what made the final outcome successful or meaningful. This is the artist equivalent of a case study: it proves how you translate a client's idea into a finished, one-of-a-kind work.

Bio and story

Write a bio that gives buyers a sense of who you are and what drives your craft. Share your background, your inspiration, and what makes your work unique. Keep it authentic and personable.

Process steps

Outline the steps you follow when creating a custom piece. This helps buyers understand what to expect and builds confidence in your professionalism. For example, a painter might list: consultation, reference gathering, preliminary sketch, base layers, refinement, and delivery. A sculptor might list: concept discussion, maquette, armature, modeling, casting, and patina.

Starting prices

Set a starting price that reflects the minimum cost of the simplest version of your work. This helps buyers gauge whether your work fits their budget before reaching out, saving time for both of you.

Location

Include your location so buyers know where you are based. This can matter for local pickup, shipping considerations, or clients who prefer working with artisans in their area.

Search visibility and analytics

MadeMay search uses your name, headline, biography, mediums, materials, styles, location, portfolio subjects, and work details. Be specific: "marble," "graphite," "charcoal," "bronze," and "pet portraits" are more useful than broad phrases such as "many materials." Your dashboard reports profile views, search appearances, profile clicks, and commission intent so you can see where stronger profile data improves discovery.