

When you take the guesswork out of your financial situation, you can plan ahead for how you are going to sustain your livelihood. “By brushing off the financial side of a career in the arts, artists are practically ensuring that they will be unfulfilled personally, professionally, and financially,” explains artist and financial advisor Elaine Grogan Luttrull. Talking about finances can put anyone on edge, but it’s an unavoidable step in a viable business plan and a pretty major one, too! Ignorance is bliss… except when it comes to your finances. Based on the profile of your ideal buyer, settle on a marketing strategy that complements your art business and list these outlets in your business plan.

There a ton of different ways to market your art-email newsletters, art fairs, social media, galleries, blogging-but not all of them might be where your customers are looking.
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This is a marketing term you’ll hear time and time again, but that’s only because it’s so important! When you figure out what your ideal client is like (the one most likely to buy your artwork), you’ll start to understand how you can promote your pieces more effectively, so you actually make some money.Īsk yourself these nine questions to narrow down who your buyers are and how to win them over, like what income levels can afford your work and where do these clients tend to shop for art?ĭon’t be careless! Your entire marketing strategy will piggyback off these answers-from how you reach buyers to the tone of voice you use to communicate. Remember, not all customers are created equal. These answers will also help you craft an artist statement later down the line, which you’ll need for everything from show applications to the About section on your website. Every artist will have a different answer, and that’s okay!ĭefining and visualizing your art career in this way will help you see the natural progression of steps to take to grow your art business, not to mention alleviate the “deer in headlights” feeling that comes with taking on a big endeavor. What is your mission? How will you define success? What short- and long-term goals will help you achieve these?īe specific, and stay true to what you want out of an art career. You can even use this handy outline we made just for artists. Grab your laptop or a notepad and start jotting down the plans you have for this new, creative career.

It sounds formal, we know, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. But it’s true! You're selling a product (artwork) to people (collectors) who find value in it.Īnd, like any business starting out, a business plan can help you map out all the basics.
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When many people decide to become professional artists, they don’t often realize that they are actually starting their own art business. See, you’re already thinking like an artrepreneur!įollow these eight steps when starting an art business to set yourself up for success: So, where exactly do you begin? Great question. You can picture success in your mind, but the space between that and your current situation looks a little blank at the moment. Now that you’ve chosen to take the leap, figuring out what to do next can be the trickiest part. Establishing yourself in the artist community and making a living from your work is not going to happen overnight.īut by no means is it impossible! It will take planning, time, effort, dedication, and a devotion to lifelong learning. But you have one life, and you are going to make it count.Īnd, despite the excitement, your head’s not in the clouds. Because many artists let excuses and fear-fear of the unknown, fear of taking risks, fear of failure-stop them from even trying. You believe in yourself and your abilities, and that’s the all-important first step. You have made the decision to follow your passion and become a professional artist. After careful consideration and soul-searching, you are ready to take the leap.
