Lessons I have Learnt
It has almost been a year since I opened this Art business of mine and it has whizzed by although at the same time I can’t remember not doing this! I have created work that I am so proud of and learnt so much. So, for this months blog I thought I would share what I have learnt so far, what I would have done differently with hindsight and what I wouldn’t change.
Get organised - to a point! As I mentioned in last July’s blog, I am a BIG planner and starting up this business gave me an excuse to embrace this and go all out with my lists and organisation! I tend to not do things gradually, I’m either in it or not, and I was 100% in this! So, although my plans had generally a positive impact on setting it up there were areas where I should have slowed down and dipped my toe in rather than bomb dived. For a year before opening my Etsy shop I created work and paid for high quality Giclée prints not really considering the possibility that my work would develop and change. Thankfully, I didn’t order lots of prints but enough where I now look at them and I feel like my work and its style has changed and progressed. However, I do have plans for these particular pieces so watch this space!
2. Review your business! I am also a big tick the box person when a job is finished, although with my work I will tweak and add to it until I am happy. When I set up my Etsy shop I was fairly happy and it was a job completed, however, as I have developed as an artist and been exposed to other Art businesses I feel I need to update it and give it a bit of an overhaul. I am going to see this as a positive as it shows I am continuing to develop and learn. At the moment I am very focused on the upcoming Art Fairs in a few weeks, but once these are finished my plan is to rephotograph all the pieces and add to my shop.
3. Say ‘YES’ to every opportunity that arises! I remember listening to an artist being interviewed on a podcast a few years ago and her advice to artists starting out was to ‘say yes to everything as you never know where it might lead’. It really stuck with me and she was so right! I saw a post on Facebook from Friends of Fishponds asking for an artist to design new signage for our local park and I offered to help. During the whole process of creating the signage I felt like I and my work was not good enough even though I absolutely loved doing this project. But I kept going and by the end I was so proud, my clients could not have been happier and I learnt so much. This then led to the commission ‘The Bond’ and the pet portrait series for Pets on the Parade.
4. Listen to advice from other artists. I listened to lots of podcast by artists who shared their Art business journey before setting up mine and I not only found it informative but exciting and inspiring. I really liked the Laura Horn Podcast as it felt like we were sat in a coffee house chatting; it was very relaxed with relevant information. I spoke to a friend who ran a local PT business and she was able to share some tips and answer any questions on the business side of things. I also reached out to a local artist for advice on which company to use to order Giclée prints of my work as there were soooo many to choose from. Seek people out, find out information and ask for advice otherwise it can feel very lonely and overwhelming.
5. Ignore the Imposter Syndrome! Every time a new opportunity or event crops up the imposter syndrome will raise its rather annoying head! In some ways it can be a positive thing as it makes sure you put in your all and it usually appears when whatever it is you are doing is important to you and you have been pushed out of your comfort zone. I massively had imposter syndrome at my first Art Fair in March. I didn’t know what I was doing but I took the attitude that I was there to learn, enjoy talking to people and meet other artists, all of which I achieved. I then took the plunge and signed up to another two fairs straight after which I will be nervous about but after working really hard in the lead up I will also look forward to.
6. Roll with it - you, your art and your business will evolve! When you do something for your business whether it’s setting up your Etsy Shop, building a website, or creating a body of work it is important to accept that it will and should change and evolve. It shows you are learning and exploring and your work is developing and growing which will keep your business fresh and interesting both for you and your clients.
7. Social media - love it or hate it you will need to embrace it! Personally, I think social media can be a great resource if used well. I keep my accounts purely for my art and my personal life private but that is my choice. I know many artists share stories about their family and that is their choice. You need to post what you feel comfortable sharing and stick to it. I will not share things just to get followers or likes, I want people to follow me who enjoy my work and are interested in my journey. You also do not necessarily get sales from followers or likes, and don’t get me started on the ever changing algorithm! Saying that, social media is a great way to create a community and I have found some very supportive and inspiring people on Instagram which is just wonderful especially as artists tend to be fairly isolated workers!
8. Build relationships! It is so important to build relationships whether it is with other artists locally or through social media, existing or potential clients and other small business owners. Running your own business especially from home can be pretty lonely and isolating and it is healthy, inspiring and supportive to have people you can connect with that understands.
9. Lastly, enjoy the process, enjoy being the boss and enjoy possibilities!