Starting an art business requires a bit of planning. You need to decide what you want to create, who you want to sell it to and how much you can afford to charge.
Once you know these things, you can then start marketing your work to customers. This can be done in a number of ways, from local art shows to social media.
1. Decide on a niche
As a creative, finding your art niche is one of the most important steps in getting your art business off the ground. Not only does it help you monetize your work, but it also helps you define who you are as an artist and what type of work you want to create in the future.
To decide on a niche, you need to take the time to think about what you love doing and how your art can be of service to others. This will help you focus your efforts and make it easier to market your work.
Once you have decided on a niche, it’s important to research potential clients and find out what they’re looking for in an artist. This information will help you tailor your marketing to their needs and create content that they’ll be interested in reading.
You can also try to find out what kind of businesses are already selling products in your niche and see if there are any potential markets for your work. For example, if you paint marine landscapes, you can contact marinas and seafood restaurants to see if they are interested in promoting your artwork to their customers.
If you’re not sure how to go about this, there are plenty of resources available online. You can find blogs and magazines about various niches and read articles about how other artists are generating income with their art.
In addition to researching the market, it’s also a good idea to study last year’s sales statistics for your chosen niche. This way, you can see if your selected niche is profitable and has a high chance of becoming profitable in the future.
2. Create a website
A website is a collection of content that’s organized under one domain name and can include pages with images, videos, and other information. It’s a way to showcase your artwork in a centralized location and sell your art directly to customers.
Creating your own website allows you to control your brand and copy, as well as create pages that are specific to your art business. Having your own site also means you don’t have to pay gallery fees or large payment fees to third-party companies to list your work.
The first step is to determine your objectives for the site. Do you want to use it as a digital portfolio or as a way to promote a new exhibition? Or do you want to use it as a sales tool, such as by making it easy for visitors to purchase your art online?
Next, consider what kind of content you’ll need on your site to meet those goals. For example, if you’re planning to sell your art online, you might want to set up an e-commerce page that lets you enter the weight of the pieces, add variants for size and color, and print shipping labels.
Once you’ve determined your needs, it’s time to choose a content management system (CMS). CMSs let you build and customize websites without any technical knowledge. Many CMSs also come with templates you can choose from, letting you get started with a website that’s tailored to your goals.
If you’re looking to build your own website, consider using a CMS that offers templates specifically designed for artists. These options can be a great way to save money on website development and get your business off the ground faster.
3. Network with other artists
Networking with other artists is a great way to build your art business. It can also help you learn more about the art industry, and how to market your artwork.
A network of people can help you make connections with galleries, agents and other people who can get your work in front of potential clients. It can also help you develop relationships with art buyers and gallery owners, who will be able to give you advice on how to improve your marketing.
If you are looking to gain new connections, try attending exhibitions and art fairs in your area. Attending these events can help you meet other artists and create a portfolio of your work.
One of the most important things when networking is to be genuine and show sincere interest in the other artist’s work. This will ensure that you have a lasting connection with them and will help you find opportunities that might otherwise have remained unexplored.
You can do this by engaging with them while they are working on their portfolio or by asking questions about their favourite illustrators and what they look for when they buy art. You can also share your own work, as long as you have an online portfolio.
Whether you are an illustrator or a painter, networking with other artists can be a great way to build your art business. This can be done by sharing your work on social media, sending emails or attending art shows.
When you meet other artists, be sure to exchange business cards. This can help you build a relationship with them and will allow you to send them email updates about your upcoming art shows or projects.
4. Create a portfolio
Whether you want to go to art school, work at a gallery or sell your art, having a portfolio is a crucial part of being an artist. Creating one can be difficult and intimidating, but it is an essential step to getting your career started.
Having an online portfolio can be an excellent way to showcase your work to prospective collectors, curators, galleries and other art organizations. It is also a great tool for networking with other artists and building your personal brand.
Your online portfolio should be professional, clean and easy to navigate. Make sure that all the images are high resolution and optimized for search engines, and include good text captions and descriptions of your art pieces.
To get your art portfolio noticed, you need to include a variety of works that showcase different aspects of your artistic ability and style. This is especially true for emerging artists who are still developing their body of work.
The portfolio should also include information about the selections, including the medium, date of creation and a brief description of the work. This will help you explain your work in an interview, presentation or during an art school application.
When choosing which artwork to put in your art portfolio, keep your main themes in mind and select pieces that reflect these. If you are a portrait artist, for example, choose a series of portraits that best represent your style.
When you have your portfolio created, it is important to regularly update it. This will give you a chance to assess your progress and see how much you have improved. Having fresh work in your portfolio will also ensure that you are always on top of your game and ready to take advantage of any opportunities that come your way.
5. Market your work
Art marketing is an essential element of running an effective art business. It offers diverse ways to connect with the right people and promote your art, ranging from local framing galleries to international exhibitions.
The first step is to identify your goals, strengths and resources. This will allow you to develop an art marketing strategy that incorporates both testing and refining methods to improve your art business over time.
Once you have established your brand and set your goals, create a roadmap for your art business using SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goal identification. A well-defined roadmap will help you focus on the tasks that need to be completed and avoid the distractions that may slow down or even derail your progress.
Identify your target customer by determining their needs, preferences, and budget. This will help you create a personalized marketing plan that best fits their lifestyle and tastes.
Next, determine how you can reach them, such as email newsletters, social media posts, or online galleries. Be sure to keep track of your results with analytics tools, which will provide a detailed picture of how your efforts are performing.
Posting to your social media accounts consistently is important for attracting new followers and keeping them engaged. Scheduling your posts is a great way to stay on top of your content, and it also helps you make sure you’re posting at the times when your audience is most likely to see it.
Finally, be sure to make a list of your expenses, from studio rent and supplies to transportation costs. This will allow you to keep track of your money and figure out how much you’re spending on your art business versus your personal costs. Once you have a clear idea of your costs, you can come up with a realistic and sustainable art business budget.
