Opinion holder entrepreneur Contributors are their own.
The starving artist trope is alive and well. Creators and artists have been told from an early age that they must either “grow up” or “find other ways to make a living”. But the truth is: It is entirely possible to make a living as an artist and run a successful business.
Of course, there is no handbook for building an art business. Moreover, traditional business building practices rarely apply. Additionally, creative people often see themselves as right-brained (creative and intuitive) without the analytical and planning abilities of the left-brained. Most artists don’t consider themselves entrepreneurs, and we don’t see many examples of artists who have supported themselves through art.
But they exist. Every day, artists make a living from art without sacrificing passion or creativity. Below he has five steps you can follow to build a successful art business that supports you and your creativity.
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1. Great product
It’s the same in any business. You need a solid product that people want to buy. “Great” is subjective in the art world, but every medium has standards. A potter needs to make usable pottery, a painter needs to think of a composition, and a composer needs to write music with specific notes in mind.
Your skill is very important when selling art.You are an artist, and while your raw talent is there, the art you are creating best possible version of itself. This means you might invest in art training, practice crafting, or learn from fellow artists.
learn However, it is not the same as for other artists to emulate other artists. When you start thinking about selling your art, it’s normal to start looking for what other artists are creating or selling. However, this is not how you create the strongest art that people want to buy.
Honest art is art that is true to you and your skills.Honest art is only art you You can create The more true you are to your skills and experience, the more likely your art will get noticed and attract buyers.
2. Business plan
Most artists avoid “planning” like the plague. It sounds too structured, rigid, and detailed. In general, artists are visionaries and dreamers. No planner.
Luckily, your art business plan doesn’t have to be an 18-page typed document you hand over to your bank or investors for funding. This plan is just for you. clearly See if you’re on track (and on task).
You need to plan for collection drops, gallery shows and art fairs, commissions, artistic developments and more. If you want to make your first sale within the next two months, that’s part of the plan. What are you going to do with that sale?
Overall, it also helps you know how much money you need to make from your art business and how to price your work. You’ll know you need to sell more pieces, and from there you can create a plan to help you reach that goal.
Figures like plans are often overwhelming for artists. However, it is a necessary step if you want a business that is viable and supports your needs.
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3. Marketing strategy
All businesses should sell the products they sell. Of course, it’s normal to get stuck when it comes to selling something as personal and raw as art. This is also where artists can face resistance. Especially resistance from art purists who believe that art and commerce should never mix.
The most effective way to overcome this is to remember that sharing your art is how you make an impact. It’s also helpful to look at other artists and see how they promote themselves (read: marketing) their art in a way that feels true to their passion.
Take musicians and bands for example. They may release their latest songs on social media or send out newsletters about upcoming appearances. How do you feel about marketing? No, I feel like they are excited to share their work with their fans.
Potters and illustrators also frequently announce “new product drops” to let their followers know they’ve restocked shelves with gorgeous pottery and some of their most beloved prints. The video shows what I am drawing. Even the most famous performers like JLo, Lady Gaga, Dr. Dre and his artists promote their upcoming events and releases by sharing behind the scenes on social media.
When artists think about marketing, they may be thinking in a left-brained, structured way. However, there are ways to “do” marketing in an effective and creative way. Ultimately, it comes down to finding the right platform that draws people in while making the artist feel most authentic.
You may want to share your work best in newsletters or focus on social media. You may also find that networking and local events are the most natural for you.The key is finding a marketing strategy to get you in front of people people who want to buy your work.
4. Build your brand
People aren’t just buying art. They buy artists. Think about your favorite musician, painter, or band. Not only do you love what they make, how they created Who they are. As humans, we rarely separate art from the artist.
That’s why building a brand is so important. The most basic definition of a brand is how you distinguish your product from others and how you market that difference.
As artists, we often think of our “brand” as artistic styling. How many times have you walked into a museum and automatically knew the work you were looking at was by Picasso or Kahlo? But your brand extends beyond your own artistic patterns.
Your brand is your story, your media, your personality, the way you speak, even the visual patterns of your art and online presence. Your brand is also a way to attract your people (i.e. your potential buyers). Who do you sell to? what speaks to them? Are you creating in a particular way that people say they enjoy?
Think about your brand and how you represent yourself and your art. From your local art fair to your website to social media, your brand (and presence) should be consistent.
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5. Just get started
No one, even those with degrees in business management, knows what to do right out of the gate. As an artist, you may have never set foot in the business world. It may seem like a short amount of time, but there is a lot to learn. But remember: It’s not the first time I’ve become an artist.
You have the innate skill, heart, and drive to create meaningful and honest art. People have created businesses that are less motivated than you and have been successful.of truth However, the key to success in the art business is getting started. Decide how you want to sell your art, how much you want to sell it for, and who you want to buy it from. It’s time to make a living with your art.
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