studio time

Artist Victoria Veedell San Francisco studio | on Art Biz Success

Your Primary Job Is In the Studio

Without the art, you are not the artist. It’s as simple of that. By definition, an artist is someone who makes art.

Too many artists put marketing before making. If you aren’t making art, you have no business prospects and certainly no need to worry about attracting more Instagram followers or growing an email list.

If you don’t make art, you have nothing to share. Your gifts remain hidden. Your dreams unfulfilled.

Your Primary Job Is In the Studio Read

Jen McCaw bouder opal ring | on Art Biz Success

The Art Biz ep. 96: Ensuring a Profitable Art Business

Are you seeking a profitable art business?

This is the Art BIZ Podcast on the blog at Art BIZ Success. I assume that, if you’re listening, you are interested in an art business, not just an art hobby.

There’s nothing at all wrong with art hobbies. I highly recommend them. But it’s a whole new ballgame when you turn your art into a business. When you begin asking for money in exchange for your talent.

I want to talk about being a profitable artist. What it takes to not just make and sell art, but to also make money. To ensure that you have a positive net income in your art business. Stick with me.

I’ve talked with many artists who try to make a little money here and there, and then find they no longer enjoy making art after trying to sell it. The pressure to make money in a business is real.

Businesses, by definition, seek profit. Breaking even with the numbers can only work for so long. If you’re claiming deductions on a business here in the U.S., the IRS is going to come after you if you continue to operate at a loss. See the “hobby loss” rule for the details and talk with your accountant. Look for similar rules if you are outside our borders.

As I said, this episode isn’t for hobbyists. It’s for you if you are ready to step up and be the boss of your art business. To be the CEO.

The CEO (Chief Executive Officer) is the person at the top of a company’s hierarchy. The buck ultimately stops with the CEO.

You must BE the CEO of your art business. Because, like it or not, that’s exactly what you are.

Let’s break down what that means.

The Art Biz ep. 96: Ensuring a Profitable Art Business Read

The Best Marketing Schedule

Every artist has a different productivity rhythm. Some people perform best in the mornings, while others hit their strides late at night. There isn’t a perfect schedule for marketing your art. The only rules are that you do it consistently and with purpose. Oops. I almost forgot the most important rule.

The Best Marketing Schedule Read

Melanie Morris

Tell Me About Your Work Day

One of the most valuable things I do with clients is to help them with their productivity. We’re all stretched for time, but most of us aren’t using the time we have effectively. What does your artist work day look like? How much time do you spend in the studio each day?

Tell Me About Your Work Day Read

Are You Walking the Talk?

In his keynote at the World Domination Summit, Chris Brogan said almost in passing: It’s not who you say you are, it’s what you do. I have a few thoughts on how you might ensure that what you do is more important than who you say you are.

Are You Walking the Talk? Read

Are you in charge of your workflow?

In his talk to the World Domination Summit, Behance Founder/CEO Scott Belsky encouraged us to stop reacting and start pro-acting (my word) in order to protect our ideas and make them happen. When we react, we are inviting others to prioritize our time. We allow others to steal our attention away from our big ideas.

Are you in charge of your workflow? Read

Attracting Crowds at the Coffee Shop

Like many of us, Barbara McKee gets cabin fever and just needs to get out of her home studio. About 3-4 times a week, she packs up her watercolors and heads to the local coffee shop – to paint. The biggest advantage is meeting new people. The bonus advantage is that no cats are around to paw at her water or get hair in her work.

Attracting Crowds at the Coffee Shop Read

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