How to Turn an Art Hobby into a Business©
Posted: Sunday, February 20, 2011
by Arlene Wright-Correll
http://www.learn-america.com
This week’s email question asks, “How can I turn my art hobby into a business?”
Basically, this question could be answered with just one answer…You have to start treating your art hobby as a business!
You have to take your art hobby seriously or not one else will. It means that once and for all you have to decide to be a serious artist, painter, sculptor, wood carver, photographer or whatever it is you do in your art hobby.
It must become one of your most important tasks to put your work in front of the right people so they will remember you when they think of buying a piece of art. Many artists are uncomfortable with this simple idea of self-promotion, but hear this loud and clear, for whatever reason it is that makes you uncomfortable, without self-promotion there will be no buyers for your arts and crafts.
It is important to be unique with your arts and crafts. Use promo mailers, your website and think outside the box to make ways for it to stand out. My motto has always been live locally and think globally.
Be relevant by creating your own style and aim for that style’s specific markets making sure you are promoting yourself to the best of your ability. Collect emails of the people who like that specific style and send them an email and link to each new work you create making sure that link has a “buy now” free PayPal button on it so they can do some impulse buying, using their credit card even if you are not equipped to take credit cards locally. The money will go directly into your bank account and you will receive an email notice where to send the purchase.
Create a consistent style of art and stay fresh by inspiring others and doing things that inspire you. Keep social networks going and when someone invests in one of your works of arts or crafts have a pre-printed testimonial form for them to quickly fill out and then use that form to promote your Blog or website. Make connections and develop relationships in your community so that whenever anyone talks about arts or crafts they think of you.
A common mistake many artists make is sending out an email or a promotional mailer and sitting back waiting for someone to respond. That rarely happens so you will need to keep your marketing efforts on a regular schedule in order to stay on people’s radar as they see that you are constantly creating new work and growing as an artist. At the same time you have to try and not overdo it and annoy anyone or they will remember you for all the wrong reasons.
It never hurts to try and grab your prospective buyers by doing something new and exciting. You might want to ask your local bank, museum or library to allow you to do a public showing. You might offer them a 20% fee made payable to their favorite charity or local cause should you sell something. If your library does not allow sales on the premises, then arrange for buyers to pay out in the parking lot. Get creative!
Self promotion does not have to be painful; it just has to be consistent. A simple way is to invest in business cards that have your picture, your name, telephone number, email, website (if applicable) and your studio address on it then give out 10 a day. I always put directions to our studio on the back of the card since that is a whole wasted space when left unused, plus it makes you stand out since rarely does anyone else do anything like that. When everyone else is in black and white, always use color. You will find that not many artists do this small simple thing of investing in business cards. Another way is to turn your car into a mobile “bill board” by having it lettered to say the name of your art studio and telephone number and/or website.
That is how you will be able to turn your art hobby into a business.
May the Creative Force be with you!
Arlene Wright-Correll
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