In all the years I’ve been helping artists build their careers, I can say with a good deal of confidence that there are 4 clear steps to kick-start a rewarding art career and business.
Everything starts with devoting yourself to a consistent studio practice. Then you can start the connection and documentation for marketing your art.
The First 4 Steps Toward Selling Your Art Read
A house in our neighborhood was recently rebuilt so that it looks nothing like before. It began as a bird’s-nest house – sitting on top of stilts nestled against the hillside. The owners decided to build around the stilts and (wisely) gain a ground-floor entry. Foundations aren’t what you see when you admire a structure, yet they are essential to its long-term survival. A solid business foundation isn’t always visible, but you can’t run a sustainable and profitable business without it.
Your Unsexy But Mandatory Business Foundation Read
Collecting sales taxes is one of the most confusing parts of running a business. And you should be collecting sales taxes if you sell a physical product – like art. But your life will be a lot easier if you take a class. Or two. Or three.
Outside of a full-blown website, there are two options to get your art online quickly. A Facebook official page is the fastest and easiest, but a blog will yield longer-lasting results. It all depends on what you need right now.
Starting an Online Presence for Your Art Read
The most important questions I ask before agreeing to spend an hour with someone on the phone are: What is it you want to accomplish? How do you think I can help?
Whether you’re working with me, asking for help from another artist, or signing up for a mentor session at a conference, it’s imperative that you know what outcome you want.
How to Hire a Consultant for Your Art Career Read
One of the most exciting times in a young art career is delivering your art to an exhibition venue for the first time. You comply with all of the preparation rules, but don’t really know what to expect when you arrive at the venue. Here’s how this scene should go down.
Delivering Your Art to an Exhibit Venue: What to Expect Read
I’ve been running this “Beginning Biz Basics” column every Monday for 2 months without calling much attention to it. Today, I thought I’d point out some previous posts that have timeless advice for artists just starting out.
Just starting your art career? Read
The alternative to doing something is inaction. The alternative to marketing your art is waiting for something to happen and watching opportunities to pass by. I’m pretty sure you don’t want this.
The worst time to pursue an art career is when you’re desperate – desperate for money, desperate because time is running out, desperate for attention. If you’re laid off from a day job, it’s tempting to think “Now I’ll have time to focus on my art.” I’ve been hearing this a lot over the past two years and it worries me.
The Worst Time to Start Your Art Career Read
Just because you’ve started selling your art doesn’t mean you have a legitimate business. You have to get some things in order, including registering with your department of state. Here’s a list for starting out.
Legal Resources for Starting an Art Business in the U.S. Read
Get a transcript of episode 182 of The Art Biz (Rethinking Mailing Lists for Artists) followed by a 3-page worksheet to evaluate the overall health and usage of the 3 types of artist lists.
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