5 Ways To Boost Your Art Business

Running your own art business is a notoriously difficult career choice, but the benefits of building a successful business are priceless. To some, creative industries may seem oversaturated, but the internet has opened up so many more possibilities. If you’re ready to make a living off of your art, here are five ways to boost your art business.

1. Declare Your Goals

Instagram is full of artists sharing digital paintings, posters, prints, clothing and many other types of art. It seems like everyday someone is coming up with something new and exciting, and this can feel discouraging. No one art-based business is going to look the same, so this is an opportunity for you to figure out what sets you apart from the rest. Only you can determine what success looks like. It's important to be aware of your competitors, but don't obsess over them. Decide on the goals for your business, figure out what tools you need to make those goals happen and set realistic deadlines.

2. Automate Your Processes

Many artists run their businesses alone or with a small team. If you don’t have help, managing the many parts of a small business can feel overwhelming. Luckily, you can automate many of the processes you don’t have experience in to make your daily operations go more smoothly. For example, you can automate social media posts and even certain financial aspects of your business, like revenue recognition.

3. Develop Your Style

If you want to make money off of your art, it’s important to develop a personal style. This way, when your images and products are being shared throughout the internet, people will automatically know they are yours. A distinctive style is like a fingerprint, and it is a crucial component to building your brand. A distinct personal style can lead to partnership opportunities with other businesses and artists.

4. Build Your Brand Online

Most artists don’t bother with a physical storefront, so most of your work, including developing a brand, is likely to be done online. This includes an online store, whether you build it yourself or use sites set up for artists specifically. Which one you use is likely to depend on your specific goals. However, the internet isn’t just a place to post your finished works. Social media presents the opportunity to develop real connections with your audience. Many followers may be interested in what goes on behind the curtain, the inspiration behind your art or the processes you use to create certain pieces. Content like progress photos, streams of you working on your art and tours of your studio or artistic spaces can attract a lot of followers.

5. Engage Your Community

Depending on your comfort level, part of building your brand as an artist may involve interacting with your audience online. This can help develop a connection between you and your customers, which can in turn help you sell more art. Be aware that posting on social media can take up a lot of your time, and sharing personal things online may lead some followers to feel like they are owed more and more details about your personal life. Social media can be fun, but it is important to develop healthy habits when it comes to scrolling. For better balance, try organizing events in physical spaces for artist communities. Networking is important, but it is even more important to think about how you can contribute to your community, not what you can get from other people. If a more popular artist gives you an opportunity to showcase your art on a bigger platform, you should later consider how you can give that boost to others.

Creativity and artistic expression are so important to any functioning society, but sometimes artists don’t get the respect and compensation they deserve. Running an art business can be difficult, but working hard and working smart can help you grow in no time.