I’m very grateful to have had a glimpse into the business side of the art world because it helped me to see the bigger picture and to understand how to turn your creative endeavors into a fully functioning business so you can make a living doing what you love.

The good news is that you can learn most of the skills you need to go from artist to entrepreneur and turn your art into a business. Here’s what I’ve learned so far and the books/podcasts/courses that have helped me get there.

8 Essential Business Skills For Aspiring Creative Entrepreneurs

Becoming a successful entrepreneur as a creative person requires a combination of both creativity and business skills. Here are some important areas that a creative person should focus on in order to become a successful entrepreneur:

Skill #1: Networking

Networking is key to building a successful business. Attend networking events, connect with other entrepreneurs, and build relationships with potential customers and partners.

Attend events

Do some research into your city’s Arts calendar and make a schedule to attend events such as art shows, Art Fairs, conferences, Gallery openings, and workshops. This is a great way to meet other artists, collectors, and industry professionals. It’s also very inspiring and I usually leave feeling invigorated and motivated to do the work. The energy rubs off on you.

Be prepared

Bring business cards or other promotional materials to events and be prepared to talk about your artwork and creative process. Don’t be a walking advertisement but have something with your contact details for potential clients or collaborators.

Follow up

After meeting someone at an event, follow up with a thank-you email or message. This will help you build a relationship with them and keep you top of mind. Don’t forget to take their details too. 

Join groups

Join local art groups or associations, or online communities such as social media groups or forums. This is a great way to connect with other artists and stay informed about opportunities and industry news.

Collaborate

Collaborating with other artists or creatives (people in your field) can be a great way to expand your network and reach new audiences. 

Be genuine

When networking, be authentic and genuine. People will be more likely to remember and want to work with you if they feel a real connection.

Listen

When networking, it’s important to listen to what others have to say. This can help you build stronger relationships and understand the needs of potential customers or partners.

By building a strong network of contacts and staying engaged in the art community, artists can open up new opportunities for their careers and achieve greater success in the industry.

Resource Suggestion

I recommend reading “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegi

This is a classic self-help book that provides practical advice on how to build strong relationships and influence others in both personal and professional settings. The book is divided into several sections, each focusing on a different aspect of interpersonal relationships, such as how to make a good first impression, how to be a good listener, and how to handle conflict effectively.

Key takeaways from the book include:

1. Show genuine interest in others and their interests.
2. Give honest and sincere appreciation.
3. Be a good listener and encourage others to talk about themselves.
4. Avoid criticism and focus on constructive feedback.
5. Try to see things from the other person’s perspective.
6. Use positive reinforcement to motivate others.
7. Admit your mistakes and be willing to apologize.
8. Use humor to diffuse tense situations.
9. Avoid arguments and instead find areas of agreement.
10. Make the other person feel important and valued.

The top 10 quotes from the book include:

1. “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”
2. “If you want others to like you, if you want to develop real friendships, if you want to help others at the same time as you help yourself, keep this principle in mind: Become genuinely interested in other people.”
3. “Talk to someone about themselves and they’ll listen for hours.”
4. “Remember that a person’s name is, to that person, the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”
5. “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain—and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.”
6. “The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.”
7. “The difference between appreciation and flattery? That is simple. One is sincere and the other insincere. One comes from the heart out; the other from the teeth out.”
8. “You can’t win an argument. You can’t because if you lose it, you lose it; and if you win it, you lose it.”
9. “Actions speak louder than words, and a smile says, ‘I like you. You make me happy. I am glad to see you.'”
10. “The expression one wears on one’s face is far more important than the clothes one wears on one’s back.”

Skill #2: Marketing

Understanding marketing and branding is essential for any entrepreneur. Learn how to identify your target audience, create a unique brand, and develop effective marketing strategies.

Here are some things that artists need to know about marketing:

Identify your target audience

Understand who your ideal customer is and what kind of art they are interested in. This will help you tailor your marketing efforts to reach the right audience. Create your ideal client avatar and realize that if you are for everyone you are really for no one. It is just as important to know who you are not selling to. We can’t be for everyone and we shouldn’t aim to be.

Build a strong brand

Develop a clear brand identity that reflects your unique style and values. This can include elements like a logo, color palette, and brand messaging.

Use social media

Social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook can be powerful tools for artists to showcase their work, engage with followers, and reach new audiences.

Develop a website

A website can serve as a central hub for your art business and provide a professional platform to showcase your work, share your story, and sell your art.

Attend events

Attend art shows, conferences, and other events to connect with other artists, industry professionals, and potential customers.

Collaborate

Collaborating with other artists or businesses can help expand your reach and expose your work to new audiences.

Focus on storytelling

Use your marketing efforts to tell the story behind your art, including your inspiration, creative process, and personal journey. This can help build a deeper connection with your audience and differentiate you from other artists.

I recommend reading Storybrand by Donald Miller. It was a revelation to me that there was such a strong thread and formula to a story that we can all use for our marketing strategy.

Measure your results

Keep track of your marketing efforts and measure the results to identify what’s working and what’s not. This can help you make more informed decisions about where to focus your time and resources.

By understanding the basics of marketing and developing a strong marketing strategy, artists can build a stronger brand, reach new audiences, and ultimately sell more of their art.

Resources

I recommend reading these two books by Seth Godin to really reshape your idea about marketing. I personally feel this is the area creatives have the most trouble with.

Seth Godin’s book “This is Marketing” is a guide to modern marketing that emphasizes the importance of empathy, connection, and serving others. The book encourages marketers to focus on building meaningful relationships with customers rather than just pushing products or services. Godin argues that the most successful marketers are those who can create a tribe of loyal followers who share their values and beliefs.

Key takeaways from the book include:

• Marketing is not about promoting a product, but about making a connection with people who share your values.
• Successful marketers focus on serving their audience and meeting their needs, rather than just selling products.
• The most effective marketing is based on empathy and understanding the needs and desires of your audience.
• Building a tribe of loyal followers is more valuable than trying to reach a large, generic audience.
• Marketing is about creating meaning and belonging, not just selling products or services.

Top 10 quotes from the book:

1. “Marketing is no longer about the stuff that you make, but about the stories you tell.”
2. “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”
3. “Marketing is a contest for people’s attention.”
4. “Marketing is the generous act of helping others become who they seek to become.”
5. “The only way to make money is to have something worth paying for.”
6. “Marketing is the art of telling a story that resonates with your audience and then spreads.”
7. “The best way to sell something: don’t sell anything. Earn the awareness, respect, and trust of those who might buy.”
8. “People don’t want to hear about your product, they want to hear about their problems.”
9. “The goal of marketing is to make change happen.”
10. “Marketing is about creating something that people want to share, not just buy.”

Seth Godin’s book “All Marketers Are Liars” challenges the traditional view of marketing as a tool for convincing people to buy things they don’t need. Instead, Godin argues that successful marketing is about telling authentic stories that resonate with people’s existing beliefs and desires. The book explores the power of storytelling in marketing and provides insights into how marketers can build trust and credibility with their audience.

Key takeaways from the book include:

• Successful marketing is about telling authentic stories that resonate with people’s existing beliefs and desires.
• Consumers are not looking for objective facts or information, but rather for stories that reinforce their existing worldview.
• Marketers must understand the worldview of their audience and tell stories that are consistent with it in order to be successful.
• Credibility and authenticity are key factors in building trust with consumers.
• Marketers should focus on building long-term relationships with their audience, rather than just making one-time sales.

Top 10 quotes from the book:

1. “Marketing is no longer about the stuff that you make, but about the stories you tell.”
2. “Authenticity, in the end, wins.”
3. “Great stories succeed because they are able to capture the imagination of large or important audiences.”
4. “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”
5. “Marketing is a contest for people’s attention.”
6. “The best stories don’t teach people anything new. Instead, the best stories agree with what the audience already believes and makes them feel smart and secure when reminded how right they were in the first place.”
7. “Marketing is not about changing minds; it’s about enabling people to be comfortable with the decisions they’ve already made.”
8. “The riskiest thing you can do is be safe.”
9. “If you want to be successful in a world with too much information and not enough time, the power of a personal story is difficult to resist.”
10. “Marketing is not a battle of products, it’s a battle of perceptions.”

Skill #3: Using Social Media

Social media can serve as both networking and marketing for artists, depending on how it is used. Here are some ways that social media can be used for both purposes:

Networking:

• Building connections: Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram can be used to connect with other artists, industry professionals, and potential customers.
• Engaging with followers: Responding to comments, direct messages, and sharing other artists’ work on social media can help build a sense of community and foster relationships.
• Joining groups and communities: Facebook and LinkedIn groups, Twitter chats, and other online communities can provide opportunities to connect with other artists and creatives.

Marketing:

• Showcasing your work: Social media provides a platform for artists to showcase their work to a wider audience, including potential customers, collectors, and galleries.
• Promoting events and sales: Social media can be used to promote upcoming exhibitions, sales, and other events.
• Building brand awareness: By consistently posting high-quality content and engaging with followers, artists can build brand awareness and establish themselves as experts in their field.

Overall, social media can be a powerful tool for artists to both network and market themselves. By using social media strategically, artists can expand their reach and build strong relationships with others in the industry.

If you are not a social media whizz kid and you would rather spend your time creating (or whatever makes more sense for you to spend your time on) you can hire someone to do it for you. There are people on Fiverr offering their services at very reasonable prices. 

Skill #4: Sales

Sales skills are also important for entrepreneurs, as you’ll need to be able to sell your product or service to customers, negotiate deals with suppliers, and convince investors to invest in your business.

Here are some entrepreneurial advice that artists can use to improve their sales:

Build relationships

Focus on building relationships with potential buyers and collectors. Take the time to understand their interests and needs and work to establish a connection with them.

Develop a sales pitch

Develop a clear and compelling sales pitch that communicates the value of your art and why someone should buy it. Be prepared to tailor your pitch to different audiences and situations.

Offer payment options

Offer a variety of payment options, including payment plans or financing, to make it easier for buyers to purchase your art.

Set clear prices

Set clear and consistent prices for your art that reflect its value and quality. Avoid discounting your prices too often or too heavily, as this can devalue your work and undercut your brand.

Provide excellent customer service

Provide excellent customer service to buyers, including prompt responses to inquiries, fast shipping, and follow-up communication after the sale.

Leverage online sales platforms

Utilize online sales platforms like Etsy, Saatchi Art, or Artsy to reach a wider audience and sell your art online. More than this, it is crucial to understand and research ALL the ways you can earn money online because the options are endless.

The best people I’ve found to inform and inspire me to expand my vision of what is possible are Amy Porterfield (online marketing podcast and courses) and Income School (Blogging and Youtube on Youtube)

Attend art fairs and exhibitions

Attend local and national art fairs and exhibitions to showcase your art and connect with potential buyers and collectors.

Keep accurate records

Keep accurate records of all sales, including invoices, receipts, and shipping information. This will make it easier to track your sales and expenses and file taxes.

By focusing on these areas and implementing best practices for sales, artists can improve their chances of success and build a sustainable business model.

Skill #5: Communication

Being able to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively is essential in business. As an entrepreneur, you’ll need to be able to pitch your ideas to investors, negotiate with suppliers, and communicate with customers and employees.

Effective communication is an essential skill for artists who want to succeed as entrepreneurs. Here are some key things that artists need to know about communication:

Be clear and concise

When communicating with clients, collaborators, or other stakeholders, it’s important to be clear and concise. Use simple language and avoid jargon or technical terms that might confuse others.

Listen actively

Effective communication is a two-way process. Artists should listen actively to others and make an effort to understand their perspectives and concerns.

Use visual aids

As artists, visual aids can be a powerful tool for communication. Consider using sketches, diagrams, or other visual aids to help explain complex ideas or concepts.

Tailor your message

Different audiences may require different approaches to communication. Artists should tailor their message to their audience and consider factors such as their level of familiarity with the topic, their communication style, and their goals and priorities.

Follow-up

Follow-up is an important part of effective communication. Artists should make sure that they follow up on conversations or meetings with a clear action plan and a timeline for the next steps.

Be professional

Finally, artists should maintain a professional demeanor when communicating with others. This means being courteous, respectful, and responsive to others, and avoiding language or behavior that might be perceived as unprofessional or inappropriate.

Skill #6: Financial management

Being able to manage finances is crucial to the success of any business. Learn how to create a budget, manage cash flow, and keep track of expenses.

Financial management is an important aspect of running a successful art business. Here are some pieces of advice that can help artists manage their finances:

Create a budget

Creating a budget can help you track your expenses and identify areas where you may be overspending. Make sure to include expenses like art supplies, studio rent, marketing costs, and any other business-related expenses.

Separate personal and business finances

 It’s important to keep your personal and business finances separate to avoid confusion and potential legal issues. Open a separate bank account and credit card for your art business.

Keep track of your income and expenses

Keep detailed records of all income and expenses, including receipts and invoices. This will make it easier to file taxes and track the financial health of your business.

Plan for taxes

As a self-employed artist, you will be responsible for paying taxes on your income. Plan ahead by setting aside money for taxes and keeping track of all expenses that can be deducted from your taxes.

Consider hiring a professional

If you’re not comfortable managing your finances on your own, consider hiring a professional accountant or bookkeeper to help you stay on top of your finances.

Monitor cash flow

Keep an eye on your cash flow to ensure you have enough money to cover expenses and invest in your business. Consider setting up a cash reserve to cover unexpected expenses or dips in income.

By paying attention to their finances and following these tips, artists can ensure that their businesses stay financially healthy and sustainable.

Skill #7: Time management

As an entrepreneur, you’ll need to be able to manage your time effectively in order to meet deadlines and stay on track. You might also be interested in reading 12 Ways To Improve Time-management for overwhelmed moms

When it comes to time management, artists can benefit from a variety of coaches and mentors, including business coaches, productivity experts, and time management specialists. Here are some tips for artists to consider as they work to improve their time management skills:

Set clear goals

Define your short-term and long-term goals, and break them down into smaller, actionable steps. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting overwhelmed.

Prioritize tasks

Identify the most important tasks each day and prioritize them based on their level of urgency and importance. This will help you stay focused on what’s most important and avoid getting sidetracked by less important tasks.

Manage distractions

Limit distractions by turning off your phone or social media notifications during focused work sessions, and consider using time management tools like the Pomodoro technique to help you stay on task.

Use a calendar

Use a calendar to plan your schedule and block off time for specific tasks and activities. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you have enough time for everything that needs to get done.

Delegate tasks

Consider delegating certain tasks to others, such as hiring a virtual assistant to help with administrative tasks or outsourcing certain parts of your creative work to other professionals.

Take breaks

Schedule regular breaks throughout the day to recharge and avoid burnout. This can include short breaks to stretch or walk around, as well as longer breaks to take a day off or go on vacation.

By developing strong time management skills and working with coaches or mentors who can help them improve their productivity and focus, artists can become more efficient and effective entrepreneurs.

Resource

I recommend and discuss a couple of books in one of my other posts 10 Entrepreneurial Books For Creatives: Summary, Quotes & Key Takeaways

I also think the concept of Personal Knowledge Management (also referred to these days as Building a Second Brain) is a game changer for creatives and should be very high on your list of priorities. You can read more about that in PKM: A Game-Changer for Creative Productivity

My favorite personal Productivity Coach is Ali Abdaal. This is a short video about how he manages his time.

Skill #8: Adaptability

The business world is constantly changing, so it’s important to be able to adapt to new trends, technologies, and customer needs.

Flexibility is an important trait for any entrepreneur, including artists. Here are some things that you need to know about becoming flexible in order to be successful:

1. Embrace change: Successful artists are able to adapt to changing circumstances and pivot their strategies as needed. They are open to new ideas and willing to take calculated risks in order to achieve their goals.
2. Stay open-minded: Artists who are flexible are able to consider new perspectives and ideas, even if they may challenge their existing beliefs or methods. They are willing to experiment and try new approaches to their work and their business.
3. Be willing to learn: Flexibility requires a willingness to learn and grow. Artists who are open to feedback and actively seek out new knowledge and skills are better equipped to adapt to changes in the market and stay ahead of the competition.
4. Maintain a positive attitude: Flexibility also requires a positive attitude and the ability to stay focused on the big picture, even when faced with setbacks or obstacles. Successful artists are able to maintain a positive outlook and stay motivated even in challenging times.
5. Build a strong network: Having a strong network of supporters, mentors, and collaborators can help artists stay flexible and adapt to new challenges. A strong network can provide valuable feedback, support, and resources that can help artists navigate changes and stay competitive.

By embracing flexibility and developing these key skills, artists can become more adaptable, resilient, and successful entrepreneurs.

Resource

I recommend reading The Millionaire Fastlane” by M.J. DeMarco – a book that challenges conventional wisdom about wealth accumulation and provides a roadmap to financial success through entrepreneurship. DeMarco emphasizes the importance of building a scalable business that generates wealth and freedom, rather than relying on traditional wealth-building strategies that may take decades to yield results.

Key takeaways from the book include:

1. The importance of shifting from a mindset of slow wealth accumulation (the “Slowlane”) to a mindset of fast wealth creation (the “Fastlane”).
2. Building a business that provides value and solves problems for a large number of people.
3. The significance of leveraging systems, automation, and innovation to create a scalable and profitable business.
4. The need to detach from traditional time-for-money exchanges and focus on building businesses that generate passive income.
5. The importance of taking calculated risks and embracing the uncertainty and challenges that come with entrepreneurship.
6. Understanding the difference between true wealth (financial freedom, time, and fulfillment) and the illusion of wealth (status symbols and material possessions).
7. The value of focusing on financial freedom rather than just chasing money for the sake of it.
8. The need to develop strong financial intelligence and understanding of money management.
9. The power of persistence, discipline, and continuous learning on the path to financial success.
10. The importance of aligning one’s passion and purpose with business ventures.

Top 10 quotes from the book:

1. “The road to wealth is paved with a poverty-filled road of sacrifice, delayed gratification, and struggles.”
2. “Wealth is not a road, but a road trip. It’s not a journey, but a journey that involves multiple roads, detours, and adventures.”
3. “The pursuit of wealth shouldn’t be about money. It should be about the quality of life.”
4. “Time can’t be borrowed, and time can’t be bought. Time is the most important and valuable asset.”
5. “If you’re willing to do only what’s easy, life will be hard. But if you’re willing to do what’s hard, life will be easy.”
6. “Entrepreneurship is the process of taking control of your own destiny, becoming your own boss, and enjoying financial freedom.”
7. “The business you own should be a systemized vehicle that delivers value to people and creates an income stream for you.”
8. “Money is attracted to value. The more value you provide, the more money you will attract.”
9. “Focus on building a brand that stands for value, quality, and integrity. This will attract loyal customers.”
10. “True wealth is not the money itself, but the experiences, relationships, and fulfillment that money enables.”