I noticed that a lot of artists are looking for business plans. I did some searching and it turns out there aren’t a lot of pre-made business plans out there for artists, so, I brought Jennifer Lee, author of Right Brain Business Plan, here to share her creative ideas for business plans. She’s really amazing, so I’m sure you’ll love this!
Also, check out Jennifer’s book!
You’ll want to see her Right Brain Business Plan home study course.*
Not Ready for A Full Right Brain Business Plan?
Here’s a simple 4 page example plan that will help you get started.
Example Business Plan for Artists (pdf)
Example Business Plan for Artists (Word doc)
The first thing I ask every artist when we start working together is if they have a business plan. Most of the time the answer is no. Why do you need a business plan, you ask? Great question.
You will become focused. As you start planning, that shotgun approach to marketing that most artists take will start to thin itself out and you will learn how to put a system in place. Also, establishing your unique selling proposition is really important. Sure, you’re a painter, but what makes you stand out from all of those other painters out there? There’s a lot more to being an independent artist than just creating your art.
You’ll know where you stand. Your strengths and weaknesses will become apparent to you as you start to create a business plan. What aspects of your art do you excel at? What do you tend to put off because you don’t know how to finish? Once you know where you stand, you’ll know what your weaknesses are, and this is really important. Most artists have no idea that they’re not good at accounting, or they don’t want to admit it so they run around in circles. A business plan will help you eliminate this.
You’ll know how to get where you want to be. Once you write down a business plan, it’s easy to refer back to it often to get re-focused on your goals. Carefully analyzing what you really want out of your art business is a good way to stop doing what is getting in your way.
You’ll know what other artists are doing. Do you want a competitive advantage? Are you afraid of really pushing your business because you don’t know what will make you different and make people want to purchase your art?
Does 4 pages feel like too much?
Get started with our beginner’s one-page business plan and work your way up.
This post has been updated since its 2009 original publish date.
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This is fantastic! Many thanks!
You’re welcome!
This is a really great resource that I’ll have to share with my readers. It’s always wonderful to find other people putting in the hard work and dedication that goes into doing what you do.
.-= Damien Franco´s last blog ..Photographer’s Intro to Twitter =-.
This is great. Thank you for doing this. It’s really something I’ve always known I needed to do. I will definitely do it now.
Do you have a business plan for dummies and beginners? This is kind of advanced. I have nothing but 5 good paintings right now.
This is my first time coming to this website. I was very confused by the business plan. Who is “I”? As in, “I help artists dispel the starving artist myth”? It took me 15 mins to finally understand who “I” is, and who Cory and John Smith is.
I agree, this business plan is completely confusing and way too advanced and overwhelming. I really want to like it, but after reading it a few times, I’m still lost.
Creating a business plan was one of the smartest things I ever did. I wrote down all the ideas that had been spinning around in my head but had never been inserted into my business as a whole. Just the process of writing everything down becomes a way to clear your head and see the way forward. It’s great to see an honest, physical example of a business plan – thanks Cory!
Wow! I’m so glad I stumbled onto this! Just what I needed!
Thanks for posting the examples. I didn’t realize that I already had lists covering most of the sections. This really helped me put everything together in one place. Now as I get new ideas, I have one document that I can go to. I can quickly jot it down and properly categorize the idea right away knowing that I will have it on hand for when I have time to review the bigger picture over time. Thanks again!
@figmentations Glad it helped!
Thanks Cory. A Breath of Fresh Air!!! For the first time at last…with drudgery behind me, I can now pursue my business plan in JOY!!! In full celebration of all right brainers…here’s to your unlimited success:-)
Hi Cory & Jennifer,
I totally agree with having a business plan, writing down all the ideas & growth you have in mind for your business.
thanks for everything. i like this site so much…
Thank you this was very helpful 🙂
Thank you for sharing this information, it can be difficult finding business resources for the artist/entrepreneur.
Just need help starting a creative business. CB
hello jennifar, i a cross this because am a starting artist. gama arts in Rwanda but i realy want a bussiness plan because i know success business needs a plan. thank you.
I’m looking forward to doing the seminar on how to sell your artwork online. I am not computer literate, so this is going to require some intensive learning on my part. I am retired and can finally dedicate my time to doing the thing that I love the most, painting watercolor illustrations. I know nothing about blogging, or setting up my own web site. I hope this is the kind of information I can access from your seminar.
Thank you for showing me my first step toward creating a business out of my artwork…
Thanks Cory and Jennifer, for sharing this information, it’s always good to know more about how I can do more on my art business.
Alejandra.
It helps me a lot to have specific, measurable goals. I’m just starting to turn art into a business for myself, so I’m trying out a few different things to see what works for me, but concrete numbers and plans and dates really help.
I’ve put together a list of business books for artists: http://jacquelineboss.com/2017/11/25/10-art-business-books-learn-how-to-sell-your-art/
I had no idea how to get this started. This is super super helpful! Thank you!