5 Best Business Tips For Independent Artists

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The present-day tech-driven market has changed the equation of all business doings. Encompassing almost all fields of work, including beautiful things like art. The traditional methods of selling art, though prevalent, aren’t futuristic.

To become sellable, an artist now has to think more like an entrepreneur. Managing, along with your creative projects, can be a challenge. It requires you to streamline multiple aspects of your work. Perhaps, creating some order in your beautiful, chaotic life of creating art. This may sound flimsy unless you inculcate some sure-shot methods to project as a business. In this article, find the five best tricks to stand as an artist-entrepreneur.

1.  Branding is the Key

Brand recognition is the ultimate in every artist’s life. Luckily the stigma of selling your work has gone, and artists welcome an all-encompassing approach. So, apart from investing resources in a mediator or mediators, you might take time to build your brand. You can do this by developing a theme, becoming a brand, and pitching your work in a world full of opportunities.

Start by creating a logo design and developing an informative website. Updating your digital portfolio (with watermark images) on various artists’ websites like Fiverr can expose you to a new set of buyers.

Business credibility develops when you stick to your business ethics. So, you may need to build a professional image to create an entity of a trustworthy business. Whether you sell a great artwork or do freelancing work for a business, always choose legitimacy. Laying down a contract for every single dealing not only gives you an advantage of timely payment but also substantiates your business.

2.  Choose the Right Pricing

While you may focus on sustaining the work quality, it is equally important to set a fair pricing policy. Never undervalue your work, and settle for anything less than your work deserves. Yet as a responsible seller, you need to set reasonable price standards. Striking a balance between the two is crucial for an art business. Learn how to price your art by researching and analyzing market trends and rates.

You can also create a shareable master price list for your regular business queries. The buying decision of contemporary art sometimes relies on their prices; having transparency can speed up the buying process.

3.  Stick to Your Schedule

You might be accustomed to working odd hours, so be it. The key is to organize and schedule, irrespective of the time you choose to work. Know your working hours and then separate them from the rest of the activities in your calendar. Having a schedule will buy you time to handle emails, plan social media, engage with your customers, outreach while creating your work. Small steps, like setting a deadline, can add to your efficiency several-fold.

Though there is no defined career path and traditional guidelines for an artist, your success lies in how well you set your boundaries. Little things like a prompt reply to the business queries, consistency with your work schedule, dictate a professional behavior, and add to your business credibility.

4.  Networking is Necessary

With an increased online market share, selling art is all about building reliable networks. In most cases, networking does not bring immediate results but would have a toppling effect over the period. Continually building new relationships can help you close deals in the time to come. This includes deploying traditional methods like cold calling established brands to pitch for exhibitions and art shows or sending direct mails to clients’ potential list.

Participating in various art shows will help you attract a new base of customers. Use such shows as an opportunity to network with your contemporaries and exchange references with them.

Source: unsplash.com

1.  Always Think Like a Marketer

A right business person never lets go of any marketing opportunity. Luckily, there are plenty, if you see through. Social media platforms are free (unless you choose to advertise), impactful, and a great source to meet potential buyers. A trending Instagram hashtag reaches thousands of viewers in a day. Take advantage of social media and create a space for yourself by regularly posting on them and using the tags and tools. Several online free video tutorials can give you pretty much information on managing nit-grits and creating attractive profiles. You may not need to be present everywhere, post quality work, and never forget them to source them back to your website.

As for your website, you may optimize it to drive more traffic. Planning industry-related keywords by using online tools will multiply your reach several-fold. By studying the established artists’ marketing strategies, you will have a comprehensive idea about overall marketing strategies in the art field.

The Bottom Line

There are endless possibilities in the art world, from creating designer logos to website themes, and book covers. Present-day business is all about catering to customer needs and building a strong network. An artist who efficiently strategies to meet the diverse market’s demanding needs can encash the lucrative opportunities. There is no specific trajectory to define the success of an art business. How well an artist adapts and takes advantage of the resources can account for its success.