Monday, June 18, 2018

Smart Suggestions For Succeeding In The Entrepreneurial Arts Field

By Pamela Hughes


If you are a talented artist, who wants to make a living painting, sculpting, or in some other genre, you have to approach it as a business enterprise. Van Gogh's work sells for millions today, but during his lifetime he only sold one painting. If you don't want this to happen to you, you have to make plans. You can't expect art lovers to find you. Making a success in the entrepreneurial arts field means blowing your own horn.

Creating a working schedule, and keeping to it, is crucial. Even if your art business is something you do part time, you need to work at it every day. Maintaining regular hours of work is a better idea than waiting for a time when you feel creative. Even when you aren't in the mood to paint or sculpt, you need to show up every day just like you would have to with any other job.

Setting up a master price list is very important. Even people who love the work you produce want to know how much you charge. Having a master list should give them all the information, including shipping and taxes, they need to make an informed buying decision. You need to make it available on your website, pass protected, for your most serious clients.

When it comes to pricing, you have to be realistic. You don't want to price yourself right out of the market, but you also don't want to be so insecure that you think you have to give your work away before anyone will be interested. It's just a matter of going online to do the research and find out what similar artists are charging.

A sale is a business transaction, and you need a contract to seal the deal. This is true with everything you sell. You can find sample of contracts for artwork online, but you should probably have a professional go over it to make sure everything is covered. Your exhibition and reproduction rights are especially important.

Marketing and advertising is critical for any business. Having a professional website, that expresses your own style, will be invaluable. You can approach local business people, like hotel and restaurant owners, and pitch the idea of hanging your work in their establishments. Community events, galleries, art in the park shows, and local art centers are great ways to get some recognition.

Be sure to pay your taxes. You are going to need an accountant. As an entrepreneur, no one is taking taxes out of the money you earn. You need to do this yourself by reporting quarterly earnings. Even if you operate at a loss, you still need to file a tax return. Keeping detailed records is essential.

If art is what you are passionate about, you can earn a living doing it. You have to be practical and realistic about it however. If you aren't, you might end up like the living Van Gogh with only one sold painting to your name.




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