1. Treat Your Art Side-Hustle Like a Real Business
Start thinking of your art as a business. This means setting goals, managing your time wisely, and being strategic about your creative output. Incorporate yourself so you can deduct a lot on taxes. Choose an LLC. Learn about what you can and can’t deduct. Art can be expensive!
- Action – Write a simple business plan outlining your goals, target market, and revenue streams. You need not give it to anyone, but use it to plan daily/monthly goals.
- Resource – Check out the SCORE website (www.score.org) for free business plan templates and advice tailored for small businesses.
- Artists – Watch other artists on YouTube telling about their income and pricing and how they are selling their creations.
2. Create a Solid Portfolio
Your portfolio is your calling card. Make sure it showcases your best work and reflects your unique style. A well-curated portfolio can open doors to galleries, commissions, and collaborations. Start a personal website to feature your art – make it your business website.
- Action – Spend a day curating and photographing your best pieces to update or create your portfolio.
- Resource – Watch the YouTube video “How to Build an Art Portfolio from Scratch” by Evan Carmichael for step-by-step guidance.
3. Build a Brand Around Your Art
Branding isn’t just for companies – it’s for artists too. Develop a consistent visual identity, message, and tone that sets you apart from the crowd. Create a simple logo.
- Action – Design a cohesive brand identity, including your logo, color scheme, and website.
- Resources – Read the book “Show Your Work!” by Austin Kleon to understand the importance of branding and self-promotion. Watch and follow Dries Ketel, an artist on YouTube.
- Namecheap – Has a free tool for creating logos that is super easy and will suffice until you create your own.
4. Network Like a Pro
Connections can make or break your art career. Attend art shows, join online communities, and don’t be afraid to reach out to other artists, potential clients, or mentors.
- Action – Attend a local art gallery opening or join an online art community today.
- Resource – Join the DeviantArt community (www.deviantart.com) or explore art-related groups on LinkedIn to start connecting with other artists.
5. Diversify Your Income Streams
Relying on a single source of income can be risky. Consider selling prints of your art, offering online courses, doing freelance work, or licensing your art to build multiple income streams.
- Action – Research and sign up for a print-on-demand service like Society6 or Redbubble to start selling your art as prints.
- Resource – Read “Multiple Streams of Income” by Robert G. Allen to learn about diversifying income.
6. Get Comfortable With Self-Promotion
Marketing yourself can feel awkward, but it’s essential. Use social media, newsletters, and a professional website to showcase your work and connect with your audience.
- Action – Schedule weekly posts on your social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube to share your latest work and creative process.
- Resource – Watch the YouTube video “How to Promote Your Art Effectively” by The Art of Aaron Blaise.
7. Learn the Business Side of Art
Understanding contracts, pricing, and taxes will save you headaches down the road. Consider taking a course or reading up on the business aspects of being a professional artist.
- Action – Take an online course on the business aspects of being an artist.
- Resource – Enroll in the “Art Business Basics” course on Skillshare or Udemy to get a comprehensive overview.
8. Create Regular Content
Consistency is key. Whether it’s new art pieces, blog posts, or social media updates, regular content keeps you in front of your audience and helps grow your fanbase.
- Action – Set a weekly schedule to create and share content, whether it’s a blog post, video, or new piece of art.
- Resource – Use Buffer or Hootsuite to plan and automate your social media posts.
9. Seek Out Passive Income Opportunities
Look into passive income options like print-on-demand, digital downloads, or affiliate marketing. These can provide steady income without constant effort.
- Action – Create a digital download (like a coloring book or printable) and list it on Etsy, Amazon, EBay, or Gumroad.
- Resource – Read “The 4-Hour Workweek” by Tim Ferriss to learn about creating passive income streams.
10. Set Achievable Milestones
Big goals can feel overwhelming, so break them down into smaller, actionable steps. Celebrate each milestone to keep yourself motivated and on track.
- Action – Break down your main goal (like “quit my day job”) into smaller steps, such as “earn $500 a month from art” and track your progress.
- Resource – Use the app Trello to set and track your goals in manageable chunks.
11. Find Your Niche
Having a niche can make you more attractive to a specific audience. Whether it’s a particular style, subject matter, or medium, find what makes your work unique and double down on it.
- Action – Spend an hour brainstorming and researching different niches within your art field to find what resonates with you.
- Resource – Watch the YouTube video “How to Find Your Art Style” by Kelsey Rodriguez to discover and develop your niche.
12. Build a Strong Online Presence
In today’s digital world, a strong online presence is a must. Focus on building a professional website, engaging on social media, and maintaining a consistent online identity. Link all your platforms together to help in Google, and also to facilitate curious viewers to see more of your content.
- Action – Create a professional website if you don’t have one yet, or update your existing site to better reflect your brand.
- Resource – Use Squarespace or Wix to easily build and customize a professional-looking website without coding skills.
13. Leverage Customer Feedback
Listen to what your audience says—both the good and the bad. Use feedback to improve your work, refine your offerings, and better understand what your customers want.
- Action – Send a survey to past clients or followers asking for feedback on your work and how you can improve.
- Resource – Use Google Forms or SurveyMonkey to create and distribute your survey.
14. Don’t Be Afraid to Invest in Yourself
Whether it’s upgrading your tools, taking a workshop, or hiring a coach, investing in yourself can pay off in the long run by helping you improve your craft and grow your business. Remember, some of it is tax deductible when you incorporate with an LLC in your state or any state.
- Action – Sign up for a workshop or buy a new tool that will help you enhance your art skills.
- Resource – Explore courses on Domestika, MasterClass, Udemy, or Skillshare that focus on your specific art form.
15. Know When and HOW to Take the Leap
There’s no perfect time to go full-time, but there’s a right time. Pay attention to your income trends, demand for your work, and your personal readiness to take the plunge.
- Action – Create a financial safety net by saving 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses before making the leap to full-time art.
- Resource – Read “Quit Like a Millionaire” by Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung to get financial advice on making big life changes.