8 Tips for Achieving Financial Success in a Creative Field
If you’re pursuing a creative career, you might expect that you’ll struggle as a “starving artist” forever – but this doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of things you can do to boost your chances of success in an artistic field, including getting helpful marketing tips from John Lagoudakis. From creating your own personal studio to outlining your business plan to designing eye-catching marketing materials, you can take control of your creative future. Here’s how to find financial stability and gain more exposure as an artist.
Create a Business Plan
If you’re an artist, you might feel like strict planning is contradictory to your creative spirit – but if you want to make a living off of your work, developing a business plan is key. Your business plan will help you determine your goals for your company and how you can reach these objectives. You’ll start crafting your plan by describing your business, and then you’ll lay out how you’ll sell your services, your chosen business structure, your estimated financial projections, and any funding you expect you might need.
Design a Studio
Every artist needs a workspace, and if you work from home, you can customize a multi-purpose studio that suits your unique needs! Whether you need room to paint large canvases, set up an in-home photography set, or sew clothing, you can keep the appropriate supplies in your workspace. Depending on how much room you have, you may want to designate areas of your studio for different activities – for instance, you could set up a small writing desk in one corner and store your photography equipment in another. Make sure to keep records of any renovations so that if you list your home for sale, you can report the updates to your appraiser for a higher home value.
Branding and Marketing
If you want to reach your target audience, you’ll need to cultivate a brand that speaks to their sensibilities. Think about the colors, images, and messaging you might want to use to appeal to your audience. If you need a little inspiration in this area, you can check out branded materials from your competitors.
Visuals should be a key aspect of your marketing strategy. You’ll want to spend some time coming up with a logo that reflects your business and impresses new customers. As an artist, you already have an eye for design – and even if you don’t work in visual arts, the creative flair you naturally bring to everything you do will allow you to design an eye-catching logo.
You don’t have to hire a graphic designer for this task, either. Instead, you can use a convenient online logo maker. All you have to do is pick out a style and icon you like, include the text you want to display, and then change the font and colors of your design until you’re happy with the final product.
Leverage Social Media
Every artist could benefit from setting up social media profiles on several different platforms. You can register for business accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. These are all great places to show off your work, whether you’re a filmmaker, photographer, painter, or writer. Of course, different platforms are better suited to different mediums, but that’s why it’s good to manage a few accounts – you can share unique content depending on the platform.
Networking Online
Social media isn’t just for posting your own work – it’s also a fantastic way to connect with potential new customers and network with other artists! Today, virtual networking is an easy way for artists working across all mediums to expand their communities. If you’ve never tried networking before, you might feel a little bit intimidated by the prospect, but it can be a lot of fun! You can begin by simply leaving positive comments on other people’s work that you find inspiring, and responding to comments and messages you receive. 99 Designs recommends dedicating some time each day to social media marketing – you never know when you’ll form a valuable connection with an enthusiastic new client.
Networking In-Person
Of course, social media isn’t the only place where you can gain exposure for your work. You should be networking in person, too! You may want to look for local artist meetups in your area, join a professional organization dedicated to your craft, or start attending conferences and other big events for artists in your city. Don’t be afraid to chat with new people!
Hone Your Craft
Improving your craft can also help you earn more exposure in the long run. After all, when you put out higher quality work, you’ll naturally start to draw more attention – and you’ll likely receive notice from high-profile outlets and clients. Learning from other artists is one the best ways to hone your craft.
Participating in workshops is also an opportunity for networking. You might meet someone who can put you in touch with new clients, or who is personally interested in patronizing you. To be a good workshop participant, Creative Bloq recommends giving critiques that point out what you liked about someone’s work, as well as what aspects could be improved.
Smart Money Management
As you gradually get more exposure and start making more money, it’s important to manage your finances wisely. When you have a bit more wiggle room in your budget, you might be tempted to increase your spending – but this is a bad idea. Instead, it’s best to keep your essential living expenses low, so finding affordable rent, buying groceries rather than eating out, and walking instead of driving when possible are all smart choices. If you want to host an exhibition or tackle an expensive new project, consider applying for grants or fundraising rather than covering costs out of your own pocket.
If you’re just starting out on your path as a working artist, you might feel like making a sustainable living will always evade you. But if you manage your business in an organized fashion, you can thrive in your chosen career. By designing a great logo, sticking to a realistic business plan, and creating an amazing studio space, you can reach your artistic goals while maintaining financial stability.
Want to improve your online marketing strategy for your creative business? Turn to John Lagoudakis for advice! Browse the blog today for tips on SEO, advertising, and more.