networking Archives

The Art Biz ep. 160: Overcoming Anxiety about Making Art World Connections with Heather Beardsley

Heather Beardsley has managed to transform her social anxiety into opportunities—realizing that real growth could only happen when she overcame the urge to play it safe by sticking to open calls for entry.

Heather has learned to navigate the art world with intention, which has led to her current solo show at the Chrysler Museum of Art. We discuss funding, being prepared for opportunities, and building authentic relationships.

The Art Biz ep. 160: Overcoming Anxiety about Making Art World Connections with Heather Beardsley Read

The Art Biz ep. 155: 6 Ways to Be [Even] Happier About Running Your Art Business

Artists who embrace their role as CEOs of their businesses fare better than those who resist it.

Wishing away the responsibilities only leads to frustration and anxiety.

When you decide to turn your art into a business, do it wholeheartedly—finding joy in the journey rather than grumbling about the hard work. It’s a matter of deciding how you want to navigate through life.

The Art Biz ep. 155: 6 Ways to Be [Even] Happier About Running Your Art Business Read

The Art Biz ep. 150: How to Project Confidence Even When You’re Not Feeling It

Every artist who takes risks and commits to creative and professional growth struggles with confidence at some point. It should help you to know that you are not alone.

But confidence in your art is necessary when you want to share it with others.

I share 6 tips to help you project confidence even when you’re questioning your talent and place in the world.

The Art Biz ep. 150: How to Project Confidence Even When You’re Not Feeling It Read

Networking Errors for Artists

I know that putting yourself out there and meeting new people doesn’t come easy. One thing that might help is to remember that you’re just meeting people. The stakes are low at this point. My best advice is to encourage you simply to be genuine.

Be. You.

Having said that, here are the biggest mistakes you can make when networking.

Networking Errors for Artists Read

The Art Biz ep. 148: Being Seen—Networking for Artists

Meeting people and building relationships is the most important thing you can do for your art career, especially when your goal is to be a full-time artist. You must be social in the real world as well as online.

There is no way around it. You must. Be. Seen.

It sounds simple, but I know this is not easy for many artists.

The Art Biz ep. 148: Being Seen—Networking for Artists Read

The Art Biz ep. 147: How to Guarantee that People Remember You with Skip Hill

When Skip Hill said he needed a system for following up with his collectors, I knew I wanted to help.

He was neglecting his important business relationships at the most basic level. He said he was tired of being the stereotypical bohemian artist and ready to hone his business chops. Skip understood that the place to start this new commitment was with his network.

The Art Biz ep. 147: How to Guarantee that People Remember You with Skip Hill Read

Maria Brito a light skinned woman with long dark brown hair stands by a portrait light

The Art Biz ep. 127: She’s the Link Between Artists, Galleries and Collectors with Maria Brito

Maria Brito is an advocate for democratizing the art world for artists, and for collectors who might be interested in buying art but aren’t yet ready to spend tens of thousands of dollars.

We talk about how she works with artists, galleries, and collectors and why she thinks there has never been a better time to be an artist.

The Art Biz ep. 127: She’s the Link Between Artists, Galleries and Collectors with Maria Brito Read

artist Mai Wyn Schantz | on Art Biz Success

The Art Biz ep. 109: Lessons from a Wildly Successful Pop-up Art Gallery Event with Mai Wyn Schantz

When Mai Wyn Schantz shuttered her gallery at the beginning of Covid, she hated to lose the relationships she had built over the years.

As soon as she felt it was safe, Mai Wyn organized a pop-up farewell exhibition with her artists. Her goal was to break even, which, as you’ll hear, was far too conservative a goal. Her “little” pop-up was more successful than she dreamed of.

The Art Biz ep. 109: Lessons from a Wildly Successful Pop-up Art Gallery Event with Mai Wyn Schantz Read

acrylic painting Modigliani censored artist Laurence de Valmy | on Art Biz Success

The Art Biz ep. 108: Boldly Reaching Out to Art World Influencers with Laurence de Valmy

People. You need them.

You need people to buy your art, people to show your art to, people to attend your shows, people to write about your work, and, let’s face it, you need people to support you emotionally along the way.

The relationships you nurture can sustain you, but you’ll never know to what extent until you start taking them seriously. Until you believe with all of your soul that you can’t do this on your own.

This month on The Art Biz podcast, we’re emphasizing the value of 1-on-1 marketing. I almost hate to call it marketing because it’s really about building authentic relationships. Relationships with other artists, gallerists, writers, curators, buyers, students, collectors, and agency administrators.

As I said back in episode 107, the not-so-secret secret to higher level growth for artists is in personalizing your marketing. Really caring about humans and having private interactions rather than broadcasting to social media or a large list all of the time.

In this episode I talk with Laurence de Valmy about how she has used her bonus talent as a writer to make connections in all arenas of the art world. It all started with the thought that there were people out there who knew more about how to “be” an artist than she did. She trusted that she could learn from them. Even if you aren’t a writer, I think you’ll be inspired by her boldness and creativity.

The Art Biz ep. 108: Boldly Reaching Out to Art World Influencers with Laurence de Valmy Read

Michael Gadlin paintings in studio | on Art Biz Success

The Art Biz ep. 93: Artist as Problem Solver with Michael Gadlin

Many artists take risks in their businesses and in their art without even thinking about it. They are hard wired to experiment. To stretch the boundaries of what is possible.

Artists are innate problem solvers.

My guest for this episode of the Art Biz Podcast is one of those artists. The list of what Michael Gadlin has done (legally) to earn a living as a working artist for more than 20 years is impressive. He sells originals, consults, teaches, designs, builds websites, and even hosted a show on public television. He has also sat on boards and committees in his local Denver art community.

Michael is gifted with what seems to be an endless supply of energy. I came at him with one topic and his mind connected it to numerous other experiences. The result is a wide-ranging interview.

Michael waxes philosophically about the life of an artist. Deep stuff. We talk about the lessons he learned from other working artists, the artist’s collaboration with viewers, gallery representation, why it’s important to be part of a community, and much more. There are plenty of gold nuggets in this interview.

The Art Biz ep. 93: Artist as Problem Solver with Michael Gadlin Read

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Your Artist Mailing List: Rethinking + Assessing