5 Reasons You’re Not Making Enough Money in Your Art Business
When your income doesn’t match your aspirations, it’s easy to blame everyone but yourself.
But my students and clients understand that you have to accept 100% responsibility for your results when you want to be successful.
With that in mind, let’s look at 5 reasons why you may not be reaching your income goals.
1. You’re out to lunch.
What I mean by this is that your head just isn’t in the game. You enjoy making art, but you aren’t quite committed to turning it into a business.
The thought of the work required to run a business, or even the thought of finding out what might be required, is more than you can handle. So you ignore it.
It might not always be this way, but until you confront the truths about making money from your art, it ain’t gonna happen for ya.
2. You’re out of mojo.
We have all been in this dark place. The Universe rudely cuts the source of energy and magic that has been propelling us along.
Sometimes it happens after an opening or after a show comes down.
Other times,
Aligning Actions with Words = Success
Do your actions align with your words?
What I mean is: if you say that you want a successful art career, are you doing what it takes? Or are you exerting the minimum effort without any thought of your future?
If you say you want one thing, but aren’t taking action to support that one thing, you are out of alignment. You’re confusing the Universe – probably because you have mixed feelings yourself.
If you proclaim that you want a successful art career, I have six questions to to ensure that your actions align with your dreams.
1. Do you maintain a regular studio practice?
I don’t mean to imply that you have to be in the studio from 8:00am to 5:00pm every day for six days a week. I’m just asking if the art is getting made.
Without the art, you are not an artist. Without the art, you have nothing to promote.
Without the art, a successful art career just ain’t happenin’.
2. Are you promoting your art consistently?
Or are you promoting your art only when you feel like it?
Consistent promotion doesn’t equal bombarding your list and followers with your art. It’s about having a schedule and sticking to it rather than marketing whenever it strikes your fancy.
If you’re a dabbler, you have the luxury of marketing whenever you want to.
If you want a successful art career, you have to get over the idea that
How Do You Use Video? (Curious Monday)
Loyal reader Debra Disman says that she would love to see how artists are using video.
Please tell us!
What is the focus/subject of your videos?
How long are they?
Where do you post them?
What kind of results do they bring you?
Do you have help or do you do it yourself?
What have you learned about the process?
Feel free to add a link to your video.
Don’t do video? Share your favorites in a comment.
The Art Biz ep. 4: Making a Living as a Teaching Artist with Elizabeth St. Hilaire
The secret to making a living as an artist is that there are no secrets. Artists find their own paths and each path is unique.
There are some qualities, however, that you must have:
– Stamina
– Ambition
– Motivation
– Talent
– Resilience
– Boundaries
And … a willingness to learn, adapt, and grow.
It also helps to have a positive outlook, people skills, and a grateful heart.
Elizabeth St. Hilaire has all of these – in spades. I have always admired her business savvy and work ethic.
I was delighted to spend 3 days with her recently. During a hike together, where we talked mostly about art and business, I blurted, Hey! We should do a podcast while you’re here.
So we did.
In this podcast, Elizabeth breaks down where she generates income (teaching, licensing, art sales, books, and DVDs). She also outlines the various teaching models that are available to artists today.
How to Write a Want Ad That Attracts the Perfect Assistant
Assistants can’t do a good job if they don’t know what’s expected of them. The onus is on you, the employer, to get super clear on the person you want and need to help your art career grow. You won’t get the right person until you’re certain what you want from them. Use this outline to write an ad that helps you attract the perfect assistant.
Who Could Help You in Your Business? (Curious Monday)
Artists tell me there is too much work to be the creative director, CEO, chief marketer, and social media manager of their businesses.
Soooooo …
If you could wave a magic wand and have help in your art business, who would you hire?
What would their responsibilities be?
Would they help you in the office or in your studio?
Is it a single person? Or multiple people?
Do they need to work in your space or can they work virtually?
Since you’ll never get help until you define the parameters of the job, let’s start with those questions.
