How to Write an Art Business Plan

Running a successful art business requires more than just creativity and talent. It also requires a solid plan that outlines your goals, strategies, and resources. An art business plan can help you stay focused, organized, and motivated as you navigate the ups and downs of running a business. Whether you’re a seasoned artist looking to take your business to the next level, or a beginner just starting out, this guide will help you create a roadmap for success.

As an artist who has turned my passion into a successful business, I understand the importance of having a well-crafted business plan. Over the years, I have honed my skills and learned what it takes to make an income as an artist, and I want to share my knowledge with you. By following the steps outlined in this post, I believe that you too can create a solid art business plan that will help you achieve your goals and build a sustainable career.

Why You Need an Art Business Plan

An art business plan is a roadmap for artists to achieve their professional goals. Whether you’re just starting out or have been selling your art for a while, having a solid business plan is crucial for success. Think of it as a roadmap that will guide you towards achieving your goals and making your art business dreams a reality. Don’t worry if you’ve never written a business plan before, it doesn’t have to be super complicated or intimidating. You can make it as detailed or as simple as you like, just start somewhere!

As we go through this post, make sure to take notes on all the sections we cover. You can keep your art business plan in a notebook, a Google doc, or a Word document. I also have a Notion template that you can use as a starting point.

What to Include in Your Art Business Plan

When it comes to creating your art business plan, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Your plan should be customized to fit your unique goals, vision, and circumstances. However, there are certain elements that most art business plans have in common. Here are some key sections to include:

Business Summary: This section should include a brief overview of your business, your mission statement, and your unique selling proposition.
Market Analysis: Here you will conduct research to gain an understanding of your target audience, your competitors, and the overall market.
Products and Services: Describe the products or services you offer, and what makes them unique.
Marketing Strategy: Outline how you plan to market and promote your art business to reach your target audience.
Financial Plan: This section will outline your projected income and expenses, as well as your funding sources and financial goals.

Remember, your art business plan can be as detailed or as simple as you like, depending on where you are on your art business journey. The most important thing is to just start somewhere, and make adjustments along the way as your business grows and evolves.

Now that you have a basic understanding of what should be included in your art business plan, let’s dive deeper into each of these points and discuss how you can create a plan that will help you achieve your business goals.

A Summary of Your Art Business

The Business Summary section is where you’ll give a quick and easy rundown of your business. It’s important to include your mission statement, which is essentially what your business is all about, as well as your unique selling proposition, which is what sets you apart from your competitors. Think of this section as an elevator pitch – it should be short, sweet, and to the point!

Identify your business’s purpose and goals: Ask yourself what your business is about and what you want to achieve with it. Write down your answers and summarize them into a few sentences.
Define your target audience: Think about who your ideal customer is and what they’re looking for. This will help you create a more targeted and effective summary.
Focus on your unique selling proposition: What sets your business apart from others in your industry? Highlight your unique strengths and what makes you different.
Use simple language: Your summary should be easy to understand and concise. Avoid using technical jargon or complex language.
Get feedback: Share your summary with others and get feedback. This can help you refine your message and ensure it resonates with your audience.

concentrated couple working on their art business plan

Conduct a Market Analysis

The market analysis section is all about doing your research to gain a deep understanding of your target audience, competitors, and the overall market. It’s important to know who your customers are, what they want, and how you can differentiate yourself from your competition.

This section can include data on your target market’s demographics, interests, and purchasing behaviors. You’ll also want to research your competitors and identify their strengths and weaknesses. By analyzing the market, you can better position yourself to succeed.

How to conduct a market analysis?

Here are some actionable tips for conducting market research as an artist:

Identify your target audience: Think about who your art is meant for, what their interests are, and where they spend their time. Look at demographic data, such as age, gender, location, and income, to get a better understanding of your target audience.
Research your competition: Look at other artists in your niche and see what they are doing. What are their strengths and weaknesses? What makes your art unique compared to theirs? You can also look at their pricing, marketing strategies, and social media presence to get an idea of what works well.
Understand the overall market: Look at trends in the art market to see what types of art are popular right now. Consider the economic climate and how it may affect the art market. Look at art publications and websites to see what topics are being covered and what people are interested in.

Describe your Products and Services

In this section, you’ll want to provide a detailed description of the products and services you offer as an artist. Be sure to include information about the materials you use, the types of art you create, and any special techniques or processes that set your work apart. You can also talk about any additional services you provide, such as commissions or custom pieces. Don’t be afraid to get specific and really showcase what makes your art unique and desirable to your target audience.

Some examples of what you could include in this section are your original paintings, prints, commissions, workshops, or even merchandise like stickers or tote bags featuring your art. It’s important to be specific about what you offer, so your potential customers can understand what they’re buying and what sets your work apart from others.

Develop a Marketing Strategy

Now that you have a good understanding of your audience and products/services, it’s time to develop a marketing strategy that will help you promote your business. Some effective strategies for artists include social media marketing, email marketing, collaborations with other artists or businesses, and participating in local events and markets.

Choose the strategies that best fit your business and audience, and be sure to set goals and track your progress. For example, you could aim to grow your social media following by 100 followers each month, or to send out a monthly newsletter to your email subscribers. By developing a clear marketing strategy and tracking your progress, you can ensure that you’re reaching your target audience and achieving your business goals.

Come up with a Financial Plan for your Art Business

Managing the financial aspect of your art business may seem intimidating, but it’s a crucial step in achieving your goals. First, identify your start-up and ongoing expenses, as well as potential income streams, to determine your break-even point and set reachable financial goals.

You can use online accounting tools or create a budget spreadsheet to monitor your expenses and income regularly. It’s essential to have a clear understanding of your finances, so you can make informed decisions about pricing, marketing, and investments. In my Art Business Toolkit Notion template, I’ve included a budget tracker to help you get started. By tracking your expenses, you’ll be able to make strategic decisions that contribute to the growth and profitability of your business.

Conclusion

In conclusion, writing an art business plan may seem overwhelming, but it is a critical step in achieving your goals as an artist. By breaking down the process into manageable sections, you can create a plan that reflects your unique vision and sets you up for success. Remember to use the tips and tools provided in this post, and don’t be afraid to start small and revise as you go. Once you’ve completed all of the sections, put it all together into a cohesive plan that will guide you as you build and grow your art business. With dedication, persistence, and a solid plan, you can turn your passion into a thriving business.

Cheers

10 Must Read Books for Artists and Art Business Owners

~ Julie ~ Leave a comment

As an artist, it’s important to be constantly learning and growing in your craft. There are a lot of great books out there that can help you do just that. Here are 10 must read books for artists and art business owners that I’ve personally read and highly recommend to you!

These books cover a wide range of topics that are relevant to both artists and art business owners. From managing your creative business to overcoming creative blocks, marketing, spirituality and more, there’s a book for everyone on this list. So, grab a cup of coffee, get cozy, and start reading!

* Please note, some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase using the links I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support and it helps me create more great content for you to enjoy!

1. Art Inc. by Lisa Congdon

Art Inc. is a great read for artists and art business owners for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it provides a comprehensive overview of the business side of the art world. For artists who want to commercialize their work, this book is invaluable. It covers topics such as marketing, PR, social media, licensing, and more.

In addition, Art Inc. offers a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of successful artists. Lisa Congdon interviews a number of well-known artists and art entrepreneurs, which provides insight into what it takes to make it in the art world. Finally, Art Inc. is simply a well-written and well-researched book. Lisa Congdon is a respected authority on the business of art, and her book is a must-read for anyone interested in the topic.

books for artists Art Inc by Lisa Congdon

2. The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron is one of the most popular books on creativity and the creative process. In it, Cameron explores the idea that we all have a “inner artist” that is blocked by fear and self-doubt, and offers a step-by-step program to help readers overcome these barriers and reconnect with their creative selves.

The Artist’s Way is a book that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt creatively stuck. Cameron’s writing is both funny and inspirational, and her program is easy to follow and really works. If you’re looking for a book that will help you get in touch with your creative side, this is it.

3. How to Sell Your Art Online: Live a Successful Creative Life on Your Own Terms by Cory Huff

If you’re an artist looking to sell your work online, Cory Huff’s book is a must-read. The creator of TheAbundantArtist.com, Huff offers a wealth of practical advice, from choosing the right platform to promoting your work, pricing your art, and dealing with inevitable rejection.

He also addresses the emotional side of being an artist, and offers advice on how to stay motivated and inspired. Perhaps most importantly, Huff stresses the importance of living a creative life on your own terms – something that is often harder than it looks. This book is an essential read for any artist who is serious about selling their work online.

how to sell your art online by cory huff

4. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

books for artists, big magic by elizabeth gilbert

If you want to lead a more creative life, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert is an inspiring read, touching on spiritual. The book dives into what it means to be creative and how to live a life without fear. If you’re a fan her most famous book, Eat Pray Love, then you’re going to love this one.

Gilbert offers readers plenty of advice, such as to embrace curiosity, take risks, and enjoy the process. She also provides inspiring stories from her own life as a writer. Big Magic is an empowering read that will leave you feeling ready to conquer your own creative endeavors.

5. Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

One of my favourite books for artists is Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. It’s a quick and easy read, and one of the most inspiring and insightful books that I’ve read on the creative process.

Kleon’s book is structured around 10 principles for artists, which he refers to as ‘stealing’: finding inspiration in the work of others, embrace collaboration, embrace your influences, work hard and be persistent, be open to new ideas, and embrace your inner weirdo. Each of these principles is explored in depth, with Kleon sharing examples from his own life and work, as well as from the lives and work of other artists he admires.

Steal Like an Artist is an essential book for artists who want to tap into their creative potential and create meaningful and lasting art.

6. Start with Why by Simon Sinek

must read books for artists start with why by simon sinek

If you’re an artist or business owner who wants to better understand how to inspire others, then you need to read Simon Sinek’s Start with Why. In this book, Sinek argues that the key to success is not what you do, but why you do it. Sinek explains that businesses and individuals need to start with their purpose, or their “why.” Once you know your purpose, it’s easier to communicate your message and connect with others. This is because people are more likely to be inspired by a shared purpose than by a product or service.

Sinek provides plenty of examples to illustrate his point, including Apple, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Wright brothers. He also explains how to apply the “why” to your own life and business. If you’re looking for a book to help you “find your why”, then you need to read this book.

7. Crush It: Why Now Is The Time To Cash In On Your Passion by Gary Vaynerchuk

In today’s business world, it’s all about standing out from the crowd and being unique. If you want to be a successful artist or art business owner, you need to be constantly creating and marketing new and innovative content. One of the best ways to learn how to do this is to read Gary Vaynerchuk’s book, Crush It.

In Crush It, Vaynerchuk explains how to use your passion and creativity to build a successful business. He provides practical advice on how to market your work, connect with your audience, and stand out from the competition. If you’re looking for a motivational read that will inspire you to take your art business to the next level, Crush It is a must-read.

8. Show Your Work by Austin Kleon

must read books for artists show your work austin kleon

There are a lot of books out there that claim to be helpful for artists and art business owners, but many of them are full of big promises and not much substance. However, there are a few diamonds in the rough, and one of those is Austin Kleon’s Show Your Work.

Kleon is a writer, artist, and speaker who tackles the modern world of marketing and networking in a way that is both simple and effective. In Show Your Work, he provides 10 easy-to-follow steps that will help you get your work out there and start getting noticed. One of the most helpful aspects of Kleon’s book is that he doesn’t try to sell you on the idea of self-promotion as some sort of necessary evil. Instead, he shows you how self-promotion can be a fun and rewarding process that will help you connect with your audience and build a career that you love. If you’re looking for a practical, no-nonsense guide to marketing your art, then Show Your Work is a must-read.

9. The One Thing by Gary Keller

The One Thing by Gary Keller is a book about finding your focus and achieving success in your chosen field. Keller argues that focus is the key to success in any field, and he provides readers with actionable steps for how to achieve it.

He also includes inspiring stories of people who have attained great success by singularly focusing on their chosen field. This book is a must-read for anyone who is looking to achieve success in their career or creative endeavors. The author provides a clear and concise roadmap for how to achieve focus, and the stories of successful people provide motivation and inspiration.

must read books for artists, the one thing by gary keller

10. Atomic Habits by James Clear

The final book on our list is Atomic Habits by James Clear. This book is all about how to change your habits and make them stick. If you find yourself struggling to make changes in your life or business, this is the book for you.

Clear lays out a step-by-step process for making changes and gives you all the tools you need to make sure those changes stick. One of the things I love about this book is that it’s not just about changing your habits, it’s about changing your mindset. If you want to make lasting changes, you need to change the way you think about change. This book will help you do just that.

Conclusion

There you have it, 10 books for artists and art business owners that I think you should read. Hopefully, at least a few of these books resonate with you and provide you with the information, inspiration, or push you need to take your art business to the next level. There are plenty of books out there for artists, but these are the 10 that I think are essential for artists and art business owners. These books will teach you about the business of art, how to market yourself, and how to run a successful art business. If you’re serious about making a living as an artist, I highly recommend these books for artists.

You might also like these posts:

Cheers,

SEO for Artists: How to help your art get found online

~ Julie ~ 8 Comments

Marketing your art in the digital age requires a diverse set of skills. Artists must not only be well-versed in the creation of their work, but also in digital marketing and SEO.

SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of optimizing a piece of content for search engines with the goal of earning higher web traffic and improving visibility. For artists, this can help your art get found more easily online.

There are a few SEO tips that artists should keep in mind when creating and marketing their work online.

Use keyword-rich titles and descriptions for your art. This will help Google index your work and make it more searchable.
Use social media to promote your work and drive traffic to your website.
Add alt text to your images. This will help Google “read” your images and include them in image search results. This also includes the file name!

By following these simple SEO tips, you can make sure that your art can be found online and reach the widest possible audience.

photo of an artist using laptop for graphic designs

How can you help your art get found online?

Some artists are under the impression that all they need to do is to post their art on social media and wait for the likes and comments to roll in. But if you want to reach a wider audience, you’ll need to put a little more thought into your online presence.

Here are a few tips to help your art get found online:

Start by creating a website for your art. This is a great way to showcase your work in a professional manner. Make sure to include high-quality images of your work, and a bio or statement that gives visitors a sense of who you are as an artist.
Use social media to your advantage. While it’s important not to rely too heavily on social media, it can be a great way to promote your work. Post interesting and engaging content, and be sure to use hashtags to increase your visibility.
Get involved in the online art community. There are many forums, websites, and online groups dedicated to promoting and discussing art. Getting involved in these communities can help you reach new audiences and connect with other artists.
Stay active and consistent. One of the best ways to stand out online is to simply be active and consistent. Post new content regularly, interact with other users, and make sure your website and social media channels are up-to-date.

By following these tips, you can create a strong online presence for your art that will help you reach a wider audience.

Optimize your website for search engines

When it comes to SEO for artists, one of the most important things you can do is make sure your website is optimized for search engines. This means making sure your site is easy to find and navigate, and that it contains keyword-rich content that will help it rank high in search results.

There are a few simple things you can do to make sure your website is optimized for search engines.

Make sure your site is easy to find and navigate. Include clear and concise titles and descriptions for each page, and make sure your navigation is easy to understand.
Create keyword-rich content that is relevant to your art. Use keywords and phrases that potential customers are likely to use when searching for art online.
Include links to your site on other websites and in online directories. This will help to build up your site’s reputation and improve its ranking in search results (also known as backlinks).
Create compelling and original content. This means writing blog posts and articles that are interesting and informative, and that will help to promote your art.

By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your art is more visible online, and that you attract more viewers and potential buyers.

Use unique and descriptive keywords for your artwork

By using unique and relevant keywords and phrases in your titles, tags, and descriptions you can ensure that your artwork is more likely to show up in search engine results.

Here are some tips for creating keyword-rich titles and descriptions for your artwork:

Use descriptive keywords. When choosing keywords for your titles, be sure to use words that accurately describe your artwork. This will help potential customers find your work when they search for terms related to what you create. For example, if you paint landscapes, you might use keywords such as “landscape”, “nature”, or “scenery”.
Use keyword-rich phrases. In addition to using individual keywords, you can also use keyword-rich phrases in your titles and descriptions. For example, instead of just “painting”, you could use “original oil painting” or “hand-painted watercolour”. These phrases are more likely to be used by people who are searching for specific types of art, and they can help your work stand out.
Use relevant keywords. It’s also important to use keywords that are relevant to your specific artwork style. For example, if you create abstract art, you might use keywords such as “abstract”, “modern”, or “contemporary”. By using relevant keywords, you can ensure that your artwork is more likely to appear in search results for people interested in that style of art.
Make sure you have unique titles for your artwork. It’s important to have unique titles for each piece of artwork you create. This not only helps potential customers find your work, but it also ensures that your work is more likely to show up in search engine results and won’t be competing with each other for ranking.

photo of an artist working on her laptop and thinking about SEO

Use alt text to describe your artwork

When uploading images to your website, always include alt text to accompany each image. This is an especially important SEO tip for artists. Not only is this good practice for general accessibility purposes, but it also allows search engines to index your images, improving your site’s overall ranking. You can also add alt text to your Instagram posts.

When deciding what alt text to use, be sure to include key phrases that accurately describe the image, as this will help your site come up in relevant image searches.

For example, if you have a painting of a nature scene, some suitable alt text might be “oil painting of a river in the mountains”. This not only tells users what they can expect to see if they click on the image, but also tells search engines what the image is about, making it more likely to appear in results for relevant searches.

Alt text can also used to describe an image to someone who is blind or partially blind, so it can also help with the accessibility of your art and website.

In addition to improving your site’s ranking, using alt text also provides another opportunity to include relevant keywords and phrases on your site, which can further improve it’s visibility in search engine results. So next time you upload an image to your site, don’t forget to include alt text!

describing artwork helps with SEO for artists

Optimize your website’s metatags and meta descriptions

One of the most important aspects of SEO for artists is optimizing your website’s metatags and meta descriptions.

There are many different metatags, but the most important are the title, meta description, and keywords. The title is the main heading of the page or blog post, and it should include your most important keywords. If you’re using WordPress, there are sections for each of these that you can fill out for every piece of content you publish.

The meta description is a brief summary of your website page or blog post, and it should also include your keywords. Keywords are what people will use to search for your website, so it’s important to include them in both the title and meta description.

You can use an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO (which is what I use) that will help you fill out all of the relevant metadata.

Optimizing your website’s metatags is a great way to improve your SEO and get your art noticed online.

instagram on a phone with graphic design pencil and a notebook

Promote your website on social media

It’s no secret that social media is a powerful tool for promoting just about anything – and that includes websites. By promoting your website on social media, you can reach a large audience of potential customers and clients who may not be aware of your site otherwise.

Here are some tips for promoting your website on social media:

Make sure your website is ready before you start promoting your site on social media. Take a look at your site and make sure everything works as it should, looks good, and is something that people will want to share. A well-designed, user-friendly website with interesting and informative content is more likely to be shared than a site that’s difficult to navigate or that doesn’t offer anything new or unique.
Use social media to drive traffic to your website. Once you’ve ensured that your website is ready, it’s time to start using social media to drive traffic to your site. Posts about your website on social media should include a link, if possible, so that people can easily visit it. You can also include a call-to-action in your posts, such as “check out my website for more information (link in bio)” or “visit my website to see more of my art”.
Make it easy for people to share your website by adding share buttons to your site. With social media share buttons on your website, people can easily share your site with just a few clicks.
Monitor your analytics. Monitor your analytics to see how your posts are performing. Look at the engagement metrics for your posts, such as likes, comments, and shares. You can also track how much traffic your website is getting from social media using Google Analytics, and see which social media platforms are sending the most traffic to your site.

By following these tips, you can promote your website on social media and reach a larger audience.

Conclusion of SEO for artists

The most important thing for artists to remember when it comes to SEO is that content is king. Creating high-quality, keyword-rich content is the best way to help your art get found online.

In addition to great content, artists should also focus on building backlinks and creating social media profiles to help promote their work. By following these simple SEO tips, artists can attract more viewers and potential customers to their online portfolio.

Looking for more tips for artists? Check out my Artist Resources page!

Cheers,

Tips to Achieve Your Art Business Goals in 2024

~ Julie ~ 2 Comments

If you’re an artist, there’s a good chance that you’ve thought about turning your passion into a business. After all, what could be better than getting paid to do something you love? While there are no hard and fast rules for becoming a successful artist-entrepreneur, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of achieving your art business goals in 2024 and beyond.

Start with a well-defined goal. This may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. Without a clear and specific goal, it will be difficult to measure progress and know when you’ve reached your destination.

Create a plan. Once you know what your goal is, it’s time to put together a plan of action. What steps will you need to take to achieve your goal? What resources will you need? Who can help you along the way?

Be prepared to work hard. Achieving any goal takes dedication and hard work. This is especially true of art business goals, which often require long hours and lots of hustle.

Stay focused and stay positive. It’s easy to get sidetracked or discouraged when pursuing any goal. But if you want to succeed, it’s important to stay focused on your goal and remain positive even when the going gets tough. With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your art business goals.

Create a plan

The first and most important step is to create a plan. What do you want your business to achieve? What are your long-term and short-term goals? Do you have specific revenue goals? Who is your target market? Answering these questions will help you focus your efforts and make it more likely that you’ll achieve your goals.

Once you have a plan, the next step is to put it into action. This means creating a marketing strategy, developing a website or online portfolio, and actively promoting your work. You might also consider exhibiting your work at art fairs or galleries, or selling your work online.

Of course, running a successful business takes more than just marketing and selling your work–it also requires maintaining a high level of quality and consistently creating new and exciting work that your customers will love. But if you’re passionate about your art and willing to put in the hard work, there’s no reason why you can’t achieve your business goals.

photo of a woman thinking about her art business goals

Put your plan into action

Now that you have figured out your art business goals, it’s time to put your plan into action! Here are a few tips to get you started:

Set a schedule and stick to it. Having a set schedule will help you stay on track and ensure that you’re making progress towards your goals.
Set realistic goals. If your goals are too unrealistic, you’re likely to get frustrated and give up. Make sure your goals are achievable and within reach.
Get organized. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you’re using your time efficiently. Create a system that works for you and stick to it.
Take action. Don’t wait around for things to happen, make them happen! Get out there and start working towards your goals.
Persevere. Things will inevitably get tough at times, but it’s important to persevere. Don’t give up on your goals, and you’ll eventually achieve them.

measure your progress to achieve your art business goals

Measure progress

If you want to achieve your art business goals, then you need to be able to measure your progress. There are a few key ways to do this:

Keep track of your finances. This includes both your income and your expenses. Knowing where your money is coming from and where it’s going will give you an idea of what’s not working and where to double down your efforts.
Set milestones. Milestones can help you track your progress over time and see how far you’ve come. They can also give you something to strive for and keep you motivated.
Get feedback. Ask your friends, family, and even strangers for their honest opinions on your art. This feedback can help you see what’s working and what isn’t, and make necessary adjustments to your business plan.

By tracking your progress, you can stay on track to reach your art business goals.

Get organized

One of the most important things you can do to set yourself up for success in your art business is to get organized. This means having a system in place for tracking your inventory, expenses, sales, and other important business data. It also means staying on top of your marketing and social media efforts.

One way to get organized is to use a spreadsheet to track your inventory, sales, expenses, and other business data. This can help you spot trends and make informed decisions about your art business.

Another way to get organized is to use a customer relationship management (CRM) system to track your marketing and social media efforts. This can help you stay on top of your customer relationships and ensure that you’re providing the best possible experience.

Make sure to check out my Art Business Toolkit which is a template I developed for Notion to help you get organized, set goals for your business, keep track of finances, create a marketing plan and more. Check it out at the link below!

Whatever system you use, the key is to make sure that you’re consistent in using it. This will help you get the most out of your data and make better decisions for your art business.

Delegate and seek help

One of the most important things you can do to ensure the success of your art business is to delegate tasks and seek help when needed. Trying to do everything yourself can lead to burnout and ultimately, a failed business.

When delegating tasks, it’s important to give clear instructions and deadlines, and then trust that the person you’ve delegated to will complete the task to your standards. It can be difficult to let go of control, but if you want your business to grow, you may need to delegate.

It’s also important to seek help when needed, whether that’s hiring an accountant to help with your finances, or asking a friend for advice on social media marketing. No one knows everything, and there’s no shame in admitting that you need help. By delegating tasks and seeking help when needed, you’re setting your art business up for success.

Also consider using automation tools or systems that can help you to more efficiently perform repetitive tasks.

get help to achieve your art business goals

Stay motivated

As an artist, it can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and lose sight of your long-term goals. Here are a few tips to help you stay motivated and on track to achieving your art business goals:

Set realistic goals. It’s important to set goals that are achievable. If your goal is to sell 100 paintings in a year, but you only sell an average of one painting per month, that goal is going to be very difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. On the other hand, if you set a goal of selling one painting per week, that’s a much more achievable goal.
Create a plan. Once you have your goals set, it’s time to create a plan of action. This plan should include things like what type of artwork you’re going to create, how you’re going to market and sell your artwork, and how you’re going to keep track of your progress. Having a plan will help to keep you organized and on track.
Take action. No matter how good your goals and plans are, they won’t do any good if you don’t take action. Make a commitment to yourself to work on your art business every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. The more action you take, the closer you’ll get to achieving your goals.
Get help. If you’re feeling stuck or like you’re not making progress, reach out for help. There are a number of resources available, whether it’s hiring a business coach or taking an art business course. Getting help from someone who knows what they’re doing can make a huge difference.
Stay positive. It’s easy to get discouraged, especially when you’re not seeing the results you want. But it’s important to stay positive and believe in yourself. Remember, it takes time and consistent effort to build a successful art business. Stay focused on your goals and don’t give up.
Reward yourself. As you achieve your goals, be sure to celebrate your successes. This will help to keep you motivated and focused. Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Celebrate milestones

You’ve set your sights on some lofty art business goals and you’re ready to achieve them. But how do you keep motivated throughout the journey? How do you ensure that you don’t get bogged down in the day-to-day and lose sight of the bigger picture?

One way to stay on track is to celebrate your milestones. When you reach a goal, big or small, take some time to reflect on your accomplishment. This will not only help you maintain your momentum, but it will also give you a much-needed confidence boost. Here are a few tips for celebrating your milestones:

Set aside time to reflect on your achievements. Take some time, even if it’s just 10 minutes, to really think about what you’ve accomplished. What did you have to overcome to get to this point? What did you learn along the way? How does this new accomplishment make you feel?
Share your successes with others. Telling others about your accomplishments can help you to solidify them in your own mind. It can also be a great way to get some much-needed positive feedback. So, don’t be shy about sharing your news, whether it’s with your inner circle or a wider audience.
Treat yourself to something special. After all your hard work, you deserve a little reward. Whether it’s a night out, some new art supplies, or simply some extra time to relax, take some time to enjoy your success.
Use your achievements as motivation for the future. When you look back on your accomplishments, it can be easy to get complacent. But instead of letting your successes lull you into a false sense of security, use them as motivation to keep pushing forward. Remember, you’re capable of great things and you have what it takes to reach your goals.
Keep a record of your milestones. One way to keep track of your successes is to maintain a record of them, whether it’s in a physical journal or an online document. This can be a great way to look back on your progress and see how far you’ve come.
Set new goals. Once you’ve celebrated your current accomplishments, it’s time to set your sights on new goals. What do you want to achieve next? What’s your next big challenge? By continually setting and achieving goals, you’ll keep your art business journey interesting and rewarding.
Celebrate often. Don’t wait until you’ve reached your ultimate goal to start celebrating. Instead, take the time to appreciate your successes along the way. By celebrating often, you’ll stay motivated and inspired to keep reaching for your goals.

woman wearing black bra and white tank top raising both hands on top

Conclusion

Setting and achieving your art business goals is a lot of work but also highly rewarding. If you can create a plan, work hard, and stay motivated, you can build something that is all your own and that you can continue to build for years to come.

Cheers,

Promoting Your Art Online: The Top Five Ways

~ Julie ~ 2 Comments

When it comes to promoting your art online, there are a number of different strategies you can use. In this post, I will discuss the most effective methods to help you find your audience, and for your audience to find you!

With the ease of access to the internet, more and more people are turning to online platforms to showcase their work. This is especially true for artists, who can use the internet to reach a global audience.

There are a number of ways to promote your art online. In this article, we will take a look at five of the most effective methods. These include using social media, setting up a website, taking advantage of search engine optimization, experimenting with video, and using online marketplaces to sell and showcase your work.

Top 5 Tips for Promoting Your Art Online

1. Create a strong social media presence

For any business that wants to be successful online, it helps to have a strong social media presence. This is especially true for art businesses, which are usually highly visual.

person holding smartphone taking picture of bridge during daytime

There are a few key things to remember when creating a social media presence for promoting your art online. The first is to focus on quality over quantity. It’s better to have a small number of high-quality pieces than a large number of low-quality ones. This means that you should focus on creating work that is visually stunning and engaging, rather than churning out a large quantity of content that is quickly forgotten.

The second key is to be active and engaged with your audience. Social media is all about interaction, so make sure to post content that encourages comments, questions, and shares. Don’t just post your art and expect people to engage with it; start a conversation and get people talking.

And finally, the third key is to be consistent. Posting irregularly will only serve to frustrate your audience, confuse the algorithm, and potentially damage your chances of success. Make sure to post regularly, and to maintain a consistent voice and tone across all of your social media channels. By following these three key tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a strong social media presence that will help promote your art to a wider audience.

2. Develop an art blog or website

There are many ways to promote your art online, but one of the most effective is to develop your own blog or website. By having a dedicated space for your art, you can control the narrative around your work and ensure that your target audience is seeing the message you want to send.

photo of person using laptop for graphic designs

Here are a few tips for getting started:

Choose a focus for your blog or website. Whether you want to showcase your own art, write about art news, or highlight other artists you admire, it’s important to have a clear focus for your site. This will help you attract the right audience and create content that is interesting and engaging.
Make sure your site is visually appealing. People are visual creatures, so it’s important to make sure your site is visually appealing. This means using high-quality images, an eye-catching layout, and easy-to-navigate pages.
Write compelling content. Even if your site looks great, it won’t be successful unless you have compelling content to share. Write blog posts that are interesting and informative, and be sure to update your site regularly with new content.
Spread the word. Once your site is up and running, be sure to promote it through social media, Pinterest, and other relevant channels. The more people who know about your site, the more traffic you’ll generate.
Monitor your progress. Keep an eye on your website’s traffic and analytics to see how your site is performing. This information can help you fine-tune your content and marketing strategies over time to further improve your results.

By following these tips, you can develop an art blog or website that is both successful and enjoyable to maintain.

3. Use search engine optimization (SEO)

Search engine optimization, or “SEO” for short, is a technique that can be used to help promote your art online. By optimizing the content using key phrases related to the artwork, an artist can make their content more visible to potential customers who use search engines like Google.

One way to optimize your content is to ensure that all images and videos are given descriptive file names, titles and alt tags. This allows search engines to index the content properly and help people find it when they search for specific keywords.

Another way to optimize content is to use key phrases on your artist website that are related to the artwork you want to promote. Think descriptive phrases such as “landscape paintings” or “custom pet portraits”. By including these key phrases in titles, tags, and descriptions, artists can improve their chances of being found by potential customers who are searching for those phrases.

In addition to optimizing website content, artists can also use SEO to improve the visibility of their social media posts. By including key words and phrases in the file name, post description, and alt tags (where available) artists can make it easier for potential customers to find their work on social media sites like Instagram and Tiktok, which are moving towards more SEO based search algorithms in place of hashtags.

By using these basic SEO techniques, artists can reach a larger audience and promote their artwork more effectively.

4. Create short videos of your art

There are many ways to promote art online, but one of the most effective is through creating short videos of your art or art process. Art videos can be used to give potential buyers a tour of your studio, a closer look at your work, or even just to provide some educational information about your process or medium.

Here are five tips for creating great art videos:

Keep it short and sweet. Ideally your video should be between 15 -60 seconds long, which is what most short form video apps accept. Check out my post on how to use TikTok for artists for more short video ideas. If you want to post long format videos of your art, YouTube is a better place for that.
Start with a bang. The first few seconds of your video are crucial in hooking the viewer, so make sure you start with an attention-grabbing image or scene.
Use professional-quality footage and audio. This doesn’t mean you need to hire a Hollywood film crew, but your video should be well-lit and have clear, high-quality audio.
Edit for maximum impact. A good edit can make all the difference in a video, so don’t be afraid to cut out any sections that aren’t essential. I recommend the InShot app for editing videos on your phone.
Include a call to action. At the end of your video, make sure to include a call to action, such as asking viewers to like and share your video, or visit your website to learn more about your art.

If you want step by step instructions on how to create short videos of your art for Reels, TikTok etc. check out my Skillshare class!

5. Sell your art online

When it comes to selling art online, there are a few different avenues that artists can take.

Here are five of the most popular methods:

Set up your own online shop: One of the best ways to sell art online is to set up your own online shop on your artist website. This gives you complete control over the prices, shipping, and promotion of your work. You’ll need to invest some time and money into setting up your shop, but once it’s up and running, it can be a great way to make sales. You can use a storefront app like Shopify (paid) or Woocommerce (free) to set up your store.
Use an online marketplace or Print on Demand: If you’re not ready to set up your own shop, there are plenty of online marketplaces that you can use to sell your art. These platforms make it easy to list and sell your work, and they handle all the payments and shipping for you. Some of the most popular art marketplaces include Etsy, Saatchi Art, and Fine Art America.
Sell through social media: Social media is a great way to connect with potential customers and sell your art. You can use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to promote your work and drive traffic to your shop, or sell directly through DM (direct messaging). Just make sure you’re using high-quality images and engaging copy to grab people’s attention.
Take commissions: If you’re not interested in selling your existing artwork, another option is to take commissions. This involves working directly with clients to create custom artwork to their specifications. You can find clients for commissions through social media, by posting the type of artwork you want to take commissions for, and then taking requests via DM.
Participate in art fairs: Another option for selling your artwork is to participate in art fairs and other in person events. This is a more traditional approach, but it can still be effective. Art fairs can be a great way to meet potential customers and build up a rapport with them, even if they don’t buy anything. You can hand out business cards with your social media links so they can follow you, and then potentially make a purchase through your website later on.

All of these methods can be effective ways to sell your art online. Just choose the approach that makes the most sense for you and your business.

Conclusion

When it comes to promoting your art online, there are a number of different ways to go about it. By utilizing the five promotion strategies I’ve outlined above, you can give yourself the best chance for success. Let me know in the comments below, what’s your favourite method for promoting your art online?

Cheers,

How to Paint Dreamy Landscapes in Procreate

~ Julie ~ Leave a comment

dreamy landscapes in procreate skillshare class

Do you want to learn how to create dreamy digital landscapes in Procreate, while learning the basics of the app? Then this class is for you!

Join me as I teach you how to paint these 4 different stunning digital landscape paintings in the Procreate app for Apple iPad. This class is great for both beginners and more seasoned Procreate users!

Watch the class introduction below:

In this class, I will guide you through each step of the process of creating these beautiful digital landscape paintings while demonstrating some of the basic tools and functions of the Procreate app.

I’ve also created some custom brushes and a colour palette exclusively for the students of this class!

This class is perfect for beginners, or already established Procreate users who are looking for a fun and beautiful project to share on social media or elsewhere.

If you have your iPad charged up and ready to go, then you’re ready for this class.

So let’s get started!

Click here to watch Dreamy Landscapes in Procreate: Create 4 Stunning Digital Landscape Paintings – and get 1 free month of Skillshare membership!

For the class project, you can share one or more of the digital landscape paintings we created in this class. If you share your project on Instagram, be sure to tag me @julieerindesigns and I will share it to my Instagram stories!

digital landscape paintings in procreate

The supplies you will need for this class are:

an Apple iPad
the Procreate app
an Apple pencil
the brush pack and colour palette provided in the Resources section of the class

25+ Instagram Post Ideas for Artists

~ Julie ~ 3 Comments

Are you an artist struggling to come up with ideas on what to post on Instagram? Whether you use your feed, reels, or stories, there are so many ways to share your art on Instagram!

In this post I’m sharing over 25 Instagram post ideas for artists.

A few things to consider: Create value for your audience. Whether it’s something pretty to look at, sharing information, or a relatable story in the captions. Interact with your audience. Ask a question. Get people excited and engaged with your content!

Instagram Feed Posts Ideas:

1. Finished artwork

2. Works in progress

3. Photos of yourself with or holding your artwork

4. Introduction posts. Share a photo of yourself in your studio with a quick introduction for new followers

5. Close ups of your artwork, either a WIP or tease of a final piece

6. Mockups of your artwork on products (download from your POD stores, make your own, or use a mock up generator service like Place It)

7. Real life photos of your artwork on products

8. Join trending hashtags and art challenges like #artvsartist or #dtiys (draw this in your style)

9. Art supplies – review or showcase the tools you use to create your art

10. Studio shots/ behind the scenes

11. Shareable quotes (created by you, using your own artwork)

12. Celebrate an occasion or holiday with a related artwork or design

Instagram Reels Ideas:

13. Timelapse videos of yourself creating an art piece

14. Tutorials demonstrating your process, how to use a specific tool or product

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Julie Erin Designs | Artist (@julieerindesigns)

15. Trending video memes with an art or art business spin on it

17. “Day in the life” (of an artist)

18. Still images along to the beat of a song

19. Using trending filters on your artwork

20. Animated artwork (can be really simple)

21. “Satisfying” art process

Instagram Story Post Ideas:

Anything goes on stories, they are less formal and go away in 24 hours.

22. Behind the scenes – going for a walk to gather inspiration, your art studio etc.

23. Teasers for new artwork or content (tutorials, blog posts etc)

24. This or that, showing 2 of your artworks and ask your audience which one they like more

25. Announce a sale and use a link sticker to link to your shop(s)

26. Ask your audience a question (poll)

27. Share a new blog post or video on Youtube or another platform (link with sticker)

28. Share a new (or old) post or reel from your feed to your Stories

29. Celebrate an occasion or holiday, sometimes there are stickers for this so you can share with a wider audience

Looking for more Instagram tips for artists? Check out this blog post!

You can also check out my own Instagram feed for even more post inspiration.

I hope you’ve found this list of Instagram post ideas for artists helpful!

Cheers,

The Quick Start Guide to Creating and Selling Your Artwork

quick start guide to selling your artwork

~ Julie ~ Leave a comment

Creating and selling your own artwork has never been easier. There are multiple selling platforms, a range of products to choose from and more accessible mediums than ever before. So, whether you’re a traditional artist or a digital whizz, we’re going to explore a few ways you can get in on the trend.

From Art Fairs to NFTs, read on to find out how to get involved and be inspired to create and sell your artwork…

Selling your artwork: Traditional art

Back in the day, artists often had to create their own paint, stretch their canvases, and have models standing by for days. Thankfully, those things are in the past, and a variety of traditional mediums are widely available at good art supply stores.

We all have our favourites – some prefer sculpting, others love gentle watercolours, but there are markets and audiences for all. If you’re unsure which medium would be best for sellable art, look at the places you could sell it and work out what sells best. Check places like:

Etsy
Local craft fairs
Local galleries
Any local pop-up shops
Any shops that sell on consignment
Your local government website for street-selling rules

quick guide to selling your art - sculpture

Traditional artwork is often regarded as top-tier with the time, effort and quality often considered in the price, so it’s less likely to be found online outside of sites like Etsy and your website if you have one.

The marketing and selling process is simple as there are limited places to sell actual physical artwork, and most people like to see pieces upfront before confirming a sale. It’s just a case of displaying your art and enticing a buyer with a one-of-a-kind piece via word of mouth, social posts, and blogs on your website if you have one. It is a more challenging market but does carry a premium price.

Sculpture and moulded artworks like acrylic placemats, decorative cups, figurines, and decorative trays are still technically traditional art, but they are significantly easier to mass-produce and keep consistent. Card-making is similar to these, especially if you use stamps or Cricut machines alongside the huge range of card-making materials available in the market. The material accessibility and easy processing make these an ideal option for someone looking to be creative and more time or cost efficient overall. Unfortunately, this also means the market is a bit saturated with similar products, so make sure you find your niche and stand out from the crowd.

Selling your artwork: Digital Art

With the recent advances in technology, it’s no surprise that art has turned more and more digital in recent years. It offers significant efficiencies such as less clear-up, more mobility, and you can replicate a variety of techniques on screen. The most recent artwork craze is NFT and AI art.

quick guide to selling your art - digital art

What is NFT art?

NFT art is what’s called a Non-Fungible Token. The idea is that it’s a unique piece of digital art that’s rooted in cryptocurrency – sort of like trading cards, but digital. The difference is that when you buy an NFT, you own the copyright, and there shouldn’t be duplicates anywhere, though there have been high-profile cases of NFT theft.

They can be GIFs or jpegs, even videos, and you can sell them on dedicated NFT marketplaces like Rarible, OpenSea and SuperRare.

What is AI art?

AI art is another new market contender. It’s created using purpose-made apps like Dall-E and starryai that are coded to use algorithms to interpret your prompts and create art based on them. These are typically weird and funny pieces of digital art, but their selling ability isn’t very high, though more professional AI-aided and inspired art has made money in the past.

Other digital art options

The more common kinds of digital art are things like:

Logos
Print-on-demand ideas like t-shirts, posters and other merchandise that use dropshipping services
YouTube covers, thumbnails and icons
Fonts
Stationary Templates (Invites, letterheads, etc.)
Illustrations

These are all pieces of art you can create and sell over and over if you wanted. They’re far more time-efficient as you create them once, then you can sell them repeatedly on different marketplaces like Etsy, Redbubble, MyFonts, social media and more. Because they’re so mass-produced, the price you sell at is lower, though if you’re doing commissions, there are more earning options.

There are multiple opportunities for selling your art, both digital and traditional, it’s just up to you to find the niche and material choice that suits you best. So, do some market research, see where your skills lie and start exploring the money-making world of being a professional artist and entrepreneur.

Guest Post Author Bio:
Debbie is an experienced writer currently based in the UK working for Affinity Agency. Her main goal is to help others learn and develop through well-researched and informative content.

Interested in publishing content on the Julie Erin Designs blog? Read my blog submission guidelines here.

How to Digitize your Art for Print on Demand

~ Julie ~ 1 Comment

Do you want to learn how to digitize your art for Print on Demand websites?

You’ve come to the right place, because I’ve been selling my art online for over 7 years. During that time I figured out how to produce the highest quality work for my stores. I have sold thousands of products featuring my artwork through my Print on demand stores, from hand drawn line art to watercolor paintings.

For example: I created a t-shirt from my drawing of a ladybug from the Mandalatober challenge (an art challenge I participated in on Instagram.)

This technique will work on your hand drawn line art, doodles and illustrations, or even paintings, as long as they are small enough to fit in your scanner bed.

In this tutorial I will take you through the following steps:

Scanning your art into Photoshop.
Doing some preliminary clean up of the artwork in Photoshop.
Cleaning up the artwork and smoothing out lines in Illustrator, using the Image Trace tool.
More Photoshop tricks for prepping the artwork to upload to the Print on Demand sites.
Required file types you need for the Print on Demand sites.
Several tips and tricks along the way.

I created this video to take you through the process of digitizing my own hand drawn artwork, using a combination of Photoshop and Illustrator. I figured this would be the easiest way to demonstrate this process, rather than trying to describe it to you.

This tutorial is only a small part of my comprehensive class on how to sell your art online – From Design to Product: Sell Your Art Online with Print on Demand websites.

You can watch the whole class for free when you sign up for a 1 month trial of Skillshare membership!

I hope you’ve found this tutorial useful, and learned how to digitize your art for Print on demand websites properly! If you want to learn more about how to sell your art through Print on Demand websites, check out these posts:

If you’re looking for ways to create purely digital art for use on Print on Demand websites, you may enjoy this class on how to Create Your Own Sublimation Designs.

Cheers,

From Design to Product: Sell Your Art Online Through Print on Demand – My First Skillshare Class!

~ Julie ~ 1 Comment

From design to product: sell your art online through print on demand websites Skillshare class

I’m so excited to share my first Skillshare class: From Design to Product: Sell Your Art Online Through Print on Demand.

This class has been a labour of love and I couldn’t have done it without the help of Skillshare.

As part of their (free) “Teach Lab” program, they basically guided me through the entire process of creating and filming the class, and even edited it for me!

Check out the intro video below:

The class encompasses all I’ve learned from the past 7 years of selling my art online, and contains much of the information I have shared here on my blog over the years in a nicely condensed video format.

Are you an artist who wants to make money by selling your art on real life products through print on demand websites like Redbubble and Society6? Then this class is for you!

Join me as I teach you how to sell your art online through print on demand (POD) websites!

Whether your designs are digital or traditional, you will learn the basics of making an income from your art using POD websites.

During the class I take you step by step through the process of opening up your first print on demand store so you can start making passive income from your art!

from design to product: sell your art online with print on demand

In this class, I will guide you through the following steps:

Digitizing your artwork
Setting up a print on demand store
Uploading your first design on products
Marketing your products
Business tips
Bonus *PRO* tips from an established print on demand artist!

This class is great for beginners, or already established artists who are looking to earn passive income online.

You can watch my class, From Design to Product: Sell Your Art Online Through Print on Demand FOR FREE with a 1 month trial of Skillshare using my link: https://skl.sh/2Z2AjXM

Then when you’re done, you can watch any of the other classes they have available!

Feel free to leave a review so I can improve my future Skillshare classes. I’m already working on my next one as we speak!

Cheers,