How to make money from your art and not sacrifice creativity

The starving artist trope is alive and well. Creators and artists are told from a young age that they have to “grow up” or “find ways to make a living”. But the truth is: it’s totally possible to make a living as an artist – and build a successful business.

Of course, building a work of art doesn’t come with an instruction book. On top of that, a few traditional business building practices apply. Moreover, as creators, we often think of ourselves as right-brained (creative and intuitive) and are not equipped with left-brained analytical or planning skills. Most artists do not see themselves as entrepreneurs, and we do not see many examples of independent artists in their art.

Although there are. Every day, artists make a living from their art – without sacrificing their passion or creativity. By following the five steps below, you can build a successful art business that supports you and your creative spirit.

Related: How To Make Money From Your Passion

1. Excellent product

It’s the same for any business: you need to have a strong product that people want to buy. While “great” is subjective in the art world, there are still standards for any medium. Potters must create usable pottery, painters must consider composition, and composers must write music with specific notes in mind.

When selling art, your craft is critical. When you are an artist and have raw talent, you want to make sure that what you create is also art The best version By itself. This means investing in art training, practicing your craft, and even learning from fellow artists.

to learn It is not the same as other artists Imitation Other artists. When we start thinking about selling our art, it’s common to look around to see what other artists are creating or selling. That’s not the way we create our solid art that people want to buy, though. But creating “honest art” is.

Authentic art is art that is true to you and your talent. Honest wisdom is just wisdom. you can create. The more true to your skills and experience, the more likely your artwork will draw eyes and buyers.

2. Business plan

Most artists avoid “planning” like the plague. It looks too structured, too rigid and too detailed. In general, artists are visionaries and dreamers; not at all Planners.

The good news: Your artwork plan doesn’t have to be an 18-page typed document that you pitch to banks or investors. This plan is just for you Clearly See if you’re on the road (and at work).

You’ll want to plan for things like collection drops, gallery shows or art shows, commissions, and artistic development. If you want to make your first sale in the next two months, this is part of the plan. How do you make that sale?

Generally, it helps to figure out how much money you need to make from your art business and how to buy your pieces. That way, you know you need to sell a certain number of pieces to reach a goal – and you can create a plan to help you reach that goal.

Numbers, 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.

Related: How to build and maintain a successful art career

3. Marketing strategies

Every business needs to market its products to sell. Of course, when we’re thinking about marketing something as personal and raw as our art, it’s normal to feel cold. And this is where artists can run into opposition—especially from artists who believe that art and business should never mix.

The most effective way to overcome this is to remind yourself how sharing your art can make an impact. It also helps to look at other artists to see how they are promoting (read: Marketing) in ways that their wisdom feels true to their interests.

Take musicians and bands for example. They can release their new songs on social media or send out newsletters about upcoming appearances. Does it feel like marketing? No, it looks like they’re excited to share their creations with their fans.

Potters and illustrators often announce “new product drops” to let followers know they’ve restocked their shelves with beautiful ceramics or their favorite prints. Painters themselves, on video, paint their latest assignments in real time. Even some of the most famous performing artists like Jello, Lady Gaga, and Dr. Dre add hype to their upcoming shows or releases by sharing behind-the-scenes footage on social media.

When artists think about marketing, they are probably thinking in a left-brained way. There is a way to “do” marketing in a way that feels both effective and creative. It’s all about finding the right platforms that make the artist feel most authentic, and attract people.

You may find that you share your work better in a newsletter or that you want to focus on social media. You may also find that networking and local events come more naturally to you. The key is to find marketing strategies that will get you in front of people. Those who want to buy your art.

4. Build a brand

People don’t just buy art; You are buying the artist. Think of your favorite musician, artist or band. They love what they create, but also why They create and World Health Organization they are. As humans, we rarely (if ever) separate the art from the artist.

This is why creating a brand is so important. The most basic meaning of a brand is the means by which you distinguish your product from others and communicate that difference in your marketing.

As artists, we often think of our “brand” as an artistic style. How many times have you been in a museum and realized that the art you were looking at was Picasso or Kahlo? But your brand extends beyond your distinct art styles.

Your brand is your story, your media, your personality, the way you speak – even the visual styles in your art and online presence. Your brand is how you draw in your people (ie, potential buyers). Who are you selling to? What does he say to them? Do you create something different that people say they enjoy?

Think about your brand and how you will represent yourself and your art wherever you appear. From local art shows to your website and social media, your brand (and presence) needs to be consistent.

Related: How to go from starving, side-hustle artist to full-time, thriving artist

5. Just start

No one—even those with a degree in business management—knows what to do right out of the gate. As an artist, you may be completely new to the business world, and there’s a lot to learn in what seems like little time. But remember: you are not new to being an artist.

You have the natural talent, heart, and drive to create meaningful, honest art. People with less drive than you have created businesses and found success. of it’s true. But the key to success in your 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 for. It’s time to make a living from your art.