Article by: Julie Morris http://juliemorris.org/ Image via Pexels
If you’re an artist, it might be hard for you to believe that creativity doesn’t come easy to everyone. But although your talents flow like paint on a blank canvas, many artistic types struggle with the business side of entrepreneurship. Never fear: There are many things you can do to smooth out the painfully logical aspects of running a business — and shake off the ‘starving artist’ label for good. Mettā Creative shares the goods.
Why Entrepreneurship?
First, let’s talk about why becoming an entrepreneur is a smart move for artists and creators. Perhaps the most compelling reason is that there is almost always going to be someone willing to pay for your talents. Although, as Localwise points out, there are dozens of jobs for people great with a paintbrush or a pencil, the vast majority still require you to tailor the end product to someone else’s vision. This can quickly quash the creative process. Selling your own original pieces, however, allows you to unleash all that’s in your imagination. Position yourself well, and you might become the next Antony Gormley or Takashi Murakami.
Business Basics
Back to the idea of business. You know you can create, but you also have to handle practical matters. One of these is to form your business structure. Do your diligence to find the right fit.
Next, do a bit of research on what similar art projects and styles are selling for in your area. If you are a mural artist, for example, the average cost to your customers is around $51 per hour. ProMatcher explains this fluctuates; you can charge anywhere from about $34 on the low end to closer to $70 per hour for a complex design that requires lots of experience and detail.
Something else to consider here is that if you have large projects such as life-sized sculptures, you may need to outsource some of the non-artistic work. You can use an employment agency to hire people as you need them or establish a long-term relationship with a dedicated artist assistant.
Your Online Portfolio
If you are as-yet unknown, you’ll want to start scouting for art shows and other events to help you gain exposure. You can also position yourself for wider visibility by setting up a portfolio of your best works online. If you’re not technically savvy, head off to a job board like Fiverr, Toptal or Upwork to find some who can do the work for you. Take into account client reviews and rates, and choose the best website designer you can find whose vision aligns with yours (and your budget). Wordpress is a robust tool for high-powered blogging and ecommerce, and while it often takes a pro to set up, it’s simple enough that you can keep it up yourself after that.
If you’re thinking of DIY, another option for your site is to select a platform like Jimdo. This is a DIY option with its own app and basic blogging capabilities, although it isn’t suitable for larger (over 50 items) online stores. On the flip side, if you’re a DIYer with mad skills, you might opt to use Joomla. Joomla allows you to tailor your site’s nitty gritty details, so if you’re game for a deep dive into the backend of things, it might be worth exploring.
Financing Your Dreams
Now comes the hardest part for most artists: crunching numbers. All businesses require some type of capital to get started. For an artist, this might be something as simple as paint and canvases, or it could mean having to pay for trips overseas to visit locations for inspiration. Regardless of the amount of money you need, you have to find a way to get it.
Many artists start by using their savings or credit cards, but you can also borrow money from friends and family to buy supplies and create a working space. If you have room at home, great. If not, you may need to rent a warehouse where you can create unencumbered.
Bear in mind that in order to procure a loan, your business will need to be registered with the state and you’ll need to have a business name, license and EIN number. You will also have to decide on a business structure. The most common for small businesses are sole proprietorship or LLC, with the latter providing better layers of protection. You can easily fill out an LLC application designation through an online formation service like ZenBusiness.
Starting a business is kind of like an artwork in itself. Start with a blank slate, and build upon it. But instead of paint or clay, your medium is customers and capital. Starting a business selling your art is hard work, but being able to create for yourself the life you’ve always wanted will make each working day a new opportunity to express yourself while getting paid for your efforts.
At Mettā Creative, our mission is to connect and inspire a mettā-driven community to live more sustainably through creative, collaborative, in-person experiences. Connect today to find out more!