Amateurs and Hobbyist Sell Art without a Written Business Plan
If your selling art without a written business plan, you are hobbyist.
Here’s the Wikipedia definition of the word hobby:
“A hobby is a regular activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure, typically done during one’s leisure time.
Examples of hobbies include collecting, creative and artistic pursuits, making, tinkering, sports and adult education.
Engaging in a hobby can lead to acquiring substantial skill, knowledge, and experience.
Generally speaking, the person who engages in an activity for fun, not remuneration, is called an amateur (or hobbyist), as distinct from a professional.”
Sound familiar? It is descriptive of most artists’ general approach to business.
If you are selling art without a business plan, you are pursuing a hobby, not a business. Therefore you do not have a viable plan to earn a stable living.
Let’s put this another way. Despite what we have been told, an artist does not have a “career.”
If artists had careers, we would have jobs.
If artists had jobs, we would receive regular paychecks.
If artists received regular paychecks, we would have bosses.
So, you as an artist, who sells their work, has a business.
Still not sure? The IRS is. When you sell your art, according to the tax code, you operating a business.
If you have a business, and you want it to be successful, you had better have a written business plan and a marketing plan so that there is no confusion about how you are going to make money.
If you are reading Artists Who THRIVE, I assume that you have no confusion about making art but you may be looking for information about making money with your art.
Just like a doctor, a chef, or a car mechanic, every entrepreneur must balance their business with their production. So balancing both realms is not a new idea and it is far from impossible.
Entrepreneurs balance each left brain and right brain realm everyday.
So it is a choice. Be an artist who is a hobbyist or be an entrepreneur.
And dramatically increase your chances of success by maintaining a written business and marketing plan.
There is nothing wrong with being a hobbyist, an amateur, unless you really want to make money with your art.
Did you enjoy this article?
Trackback from your site.
Comments (10)
Michele
| #
Anne, What is the best way to contact you? I am interested in learning more about your business plan.
Reply
Ann Rea
| #
Hello Michele,
You can schedule a phone consult here…
http://artistswhothrive.com/index.php/as-needed-consultations/
Ann
Reply
Justin
| #
Well said Ann! However, I disagree that artists don’t have a career…it just may not be a well paying career in many cases!
Reply
Ann Rea
| #
Thank you Justin.
Unless you are employed, and you typically receive a regular paycheck, you do not have a career. So you have business. Not being conscious of this fact, or denying it, obviously is what stops artists from getting well paid.
Reply
Jenna
| #
I understand the idea behind what you’re saying, but I disagree with how black and white you’re making it. I’ve never had a written business plan, and no one would ever accuse me of not having a viable business… I’ve been a full-time writer for 16 years. Writing down a plan is beneficial for many people, but it’s not necessary for everyone.
Reply
Ann Rea
| #
If you have made it work. Congratulations! Seriously.
But this post is not about you it is about the statistical reality of business.
The fact is that 8 of 10 businesses fail. My guess is that there is a significantly more dismal rate of failure for artists.
It is proven that you increase the chances of your business succeeding and you increase your sales with a plan, not without one.
Given the fiercely competitive nature of the art market doesn’t it just make sense to stack the odds in your favor?
I find it curious that a writer would not advocate the benefits of writing a business plan.
Reply
Darin Alexander
| #
Thank you for the clarification… As an instructor and public presenter on cowboy fiber arts, I find many folks are very confused about this topic. I am especially curious how you address the challenge of unrealistic underpricing by the individual “who engages in an activity for fun, not remuneration”? Many of my students are becoming proficient enough in their skills to justify going ‘pro’… however, hobbyists and factories have consumers expecting pricing far below actual survivable independent producer values. This is further complicated when one is committed to maintaining legal compliance with Consumer Protections for claims of “made in USA”, fiber content, and labeling laws. Your thoughts?!
Reply
Ann Rea
| #
You’re welcome.
Yes. Because artists are confused about what to charge, collectors are confused about what to pay. And that can make them very reluctant to buy.
My advice to artists is to do research on pricing in their market and to maintain a written price list…just like every other sound business does.
Reply
Darin Alexander
| #
Nicely stated! I agree on the research of pricing principle. That being said, is it agreeably wise to maintain a level of accuracy in comparisons such as delicious apples with delicious apples rather than pointing to lemons as a price strawberries should bring?
Your mention of written price list would include wholesale and retail prices correct? I believe the more places artists in general, including my students, hear these things, the more they will recognize the benefits to be gained.
Reply
Ann Rea
| #
Pricing, just like a painting, is made up.
Ground your pricing in as much reason as you can so that you can ask for your price with confidence.
If you have wholesale pricing, then yes, you need a list. Don’t share that will your retail clients. And vice versa.
Reply