What Creative Online Businesses (Especially Visual Artists) Don’t Need to Worry About in the Beginning
By Shannon Amey
Starting an online business as a visual artist can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. There’s a flood of information and advice out there, which can sometimes make you feel like you need to do everything at once (Artist Overwhelm, again). However, not every task or challenge needs to be tackled immediately. Here’s a guide to help you understand what you don’t need to worry about in the beginning, along with three hot tips to keep your focus on what truly matters.
Things You Don’t Need to Worry About Initially:
Perfecting Your Website Design: While a visually appealing website is important for an artist, spending countless hours tweaking every little detail from the start isn’t necessary. A clean, functional site that clearly displays your art is more than enough initially. You can always refine and improve your website design as your business grows. My own website is a continuous work in progress, I schedule a small amount of time each week to maintain it and improve it, but I don’t spend so much time that I am being derailed for other prioritoties and goals.
Having a Massive Social Media Following: It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers game on social media, but building a large following takes time. Focus on creating meaningful and engaging content rather than stressing over follower counts. Authentic engagement with a smaller audience can be more beneficial than having thousands of inactive followers - I know this for a fact and have proof!
Offering a Wide Range of Products: In the beginning, it’s not necessary to offer a vast array of products or prints. Start with a few key pieces that best represent your style and vision. This approach helps manage production costs and allows you to gauge what resonates most with your audience.
Three Hot Tips to Focus On:
Build a Strong Online Presence: Focus on establishing a solid online presence through a few key platforms. Choose social media channels that align with your art style and where your potential audience hangs out the most. Instagram is still relevant for for visual artists. Regularly post high-quality images of your work, behind-the-scenes content, and engage with your followers to build a loyal community.
Create an Email List: An email list is a powerful tool for any online business. It allows you to connect directly with your audience, keep them updated about new works, upcoming events, and special offers. Offer an incentive for signing up, like a free digital download of one of your artworks or exclusive early access to new collections. Platforms like Mailchimp or Flodesk make it easy to get started with email marketing.
Focus on Consistent Creation and Authentic Engagement: Rather than spreading yourself thin across multiple platforms or marketplaces, prioritize consistent creation and authentic engagement. Regularly producing and sharing your work helps build momentum and keeps your audience engaged. Authentic engagement, such as responding to comments and messages, builds trust and strengthens your community. Focus on quality interactions over quantity to foster meaningful connections.
Final Thoughts
Starting an online business as a visual artist is a journey that requires patience, creativity, and strategic focus. By understanding what you don’t need to worry about and honing in on what truly matters, you can build a strong foundation for your online presence. Keep creating, stay authentic, and remember that growth takes time. Your passion and dedication will shine through, attracting the right audience and opportunities along the way.
Ready to take your creative business to the next level? Keep these tips in mind, and watch your online presence flourish!
