The 3 Business Tips Every Beginner Artist Should Know

As artists, we are skilled and talented in so many ways. But when it comes to running a business or even recognizing our creative pursuits as a business at all, we tend to feel less than confident. It’s one of the reasons so many artists are intimidated by the idea of selling their artwork- especially online.

We created The Studio Source for this very reason and it’s a driving force behind everything we teach. We want to help shift your mindset into entrepreneur mode to successfully market your work and build a profitable business! We’ve outlined 3 tips you should stick to as a new artist if you’re ready to start your online sales journey- so your foundations are set for growth and sales.

1. Get specific on who your ideal collectors are

One of the best things you can do when you’re starting out selling online is get really specific on who your ideal buyer is. When you think about your artwork, who do you want to be selling it to? What do they look like, how old are they, where else do they shop? What are their interests, what things are important to them? These are the types of questions you should ask yourself when you’re figuring out who your ideal collector is. Once you’ve answered these questions, use Instagram to target accounts they follow and work to get your account in front of their eyes. If you can get clear on this in the beginning of your journey, it will make everything else much easier down the road!

2. Think of your business as a brand

Branding is another area that artists don’t always associate their art practice with. Branding isn’t just for major companies- all businesses are brands and creating an appealing brand identity increases your professionalism and makes you more memorable to your collectors!

Develop a distinct visual aesthetic for your website, social media profiles, and marketing materials that aligns with your artistic voice and resonates with your target audience. Your art is not just a product; it's a reflection of your unique style, vision, and personality. Treat your art business as a brand and invest in creating a cohesive brand identity that sets you apart.

3. Work on getting people on your email list

This isn’t the first (and definitely won’t be the last) time you’ve heard us talk about the power of an email list. Simply put, email marketing is a crucial part of growing your art business and it’s where you’ll make the majority of your sales. Your email list will become a collection of your biggest fans - the people who want to be directly contacted by you because they're interested in collecting your work. It also isn't influenced by any algorithm - meaning you don't need to worry about the people you're emailing missing your message. The best way you can optimize this as you’re starting out is by getting people onto your email list. Use incentivizing opt-in strategies, add the link to join in your Instagram bio, and collect email addresses if you are selling at in-person events. 

If nothing else, focus on these three areas when you're building your online art business. Identifying your ideal collectors, building a brand, and utilizing your email list are some of the most important stepping stones to a thriving online business, and prioritizing them from the start will have a major positive impact down the road! If you want even more details about the steps to a successful art business, check out our free masterclass for artists: How to Reach Your Ideal Collectors Online and Sell Art Consistently!