10 Tips for Running a Successful Art Business

Being an artist is a full-time job - but if you're also running your own art business and design studio, it can feel like you're working 24/7. From creating art, designing products, collaborating with clients, to marketing your work, keeping up with social media, and managing finances, there's a lot to juggle!

Here are 10 tips to help you run a successful art business.

1. Set realistic goals and targets. What do you want to achieve in the next year? In the next 5 years? Write down your goals and review them regularly to make sure you're on track.

2. Get organized and stay on top of deadlines. Create a system that works for you to manage your time and keep track of deadlines for shows, submissions, orders, etc. A bullet journal or digital calendar can be helpful for this. I personally like to write things down on paper.

3. Create a budget and stick to it. Knowing how much money you have coming in and going out is crucial for any business - make sure you're tracking your finances and sticking to a budget.

4. Invest in good quality materials. Cheap materials might be tempting, but they won't do your work any favours in the long run. Invest in good quality supplies that will last.

5. Promote, promote, promote! Make sure people know about your work - whether that's through social media, word of mouth, or exhibiting in galleries or shows. Find what works best for you and where your target audience is hanging out online or offline. I have started to be more proactive in promoting myself and showing some of my design process and behind the scenes inspiration.

6. Don't be afraid to say no. You can't do everything - so if someone asks you to do something that doesn't fit with your goals or plans, it's okay to say no. Protect your time and energy so you can focus on what's important to you and your business. The past couple of years I have had to say no to quite a few opportunities as I was fully booked and overworked. I did feel bad about not being able to work with everyone who had contacted me, so now I only take on client work and collaborations several times a year.

7. Take care of yourself. Running a business can be stressful - make sure you're taking care of yourself both mentally and physically. Schedule time for breaks, exercise, relaxation, and fun!

8. Believe in yourself and your work. It sounds cheesy but it's true - if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will either! Trust your instincts and don't second-guess yourself too much - at the end of the day, only you know what's best for your business (and art).

9. Get professional help when you need it. We all need help sometimes - whether it's with accounting, taxes, legal issues, website design, or anything else related to running a business. Don't be afraid to reach out for help when you need it so you can focus on what you do best - creating art!

10 . Surround yourself with positive people : family , friends , other artists , mentors , etc . These people will provide support, advice, positive reinforcement, and honest feedback when needed. Choosing wisely who we take advice from is just as important as asking for it. Look for qualified experts whose opinions we respect, who have our best interest at heart, and who will give us an honest assessment – even if it’s not what we wanted to hear initially.

If we want to be successful in running our art businesses, we have to remember these 10 things : set realistic goals, get organized & stay on top of deadlines, create & stick to a budget, invest in good quality materials, promote our work constantly, learn how & when to say no, take care of ourselves physically & mentally and most importantly, surround ourselves with positive people & professionals who will help guide us along the way !

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until next time Kirsten.