Two weeks ago I did a big survey where I asked many of you to take a survey and tell me your opinions about The Abundant Artist.
If you didn’t receive the survey, I wouldn’t worry about it. It was sent only to a specific sub-section of readers for a reason. We were looking to get feedback mostly from artists who’ve never purchased our courses, or who did not purchase them in a specific time frame.
The results were not only helpful to me in my marketing, but I think you’ll find them useful in knowing where artists as a whole are, and where TAA is going in the near future.
Below are a few key takeaways from the survey, and some thoughts around each of them.
The Making of the Art is the Thing
“It is an inherently lonely venture. When people buy what I create, there’s a connection forged. It’s this connection that drives me to do shows and sell online – not so much the money, though that might be nice.”
Most artists aren’t in it for the money. I already knew that. This quote from one of the survey responses encapsulates it nicely.
TAA is all about teaching artists how to earn money from their art. I love what we do here, and I think that our Praise page shows the impact that has had on our readers.
Of course, art performs a far more important function in our various cultures. Art enables change, elicits powerful emotion, heals the afflicted, and afflicts the comfortable.
TAA is at its best when we help artists not only make money, but also enable the core functions of art and help artists make connections.
Some of You Don’t Know What TAA Does as a Business
This is definitely a problem. I’m not quite sure how it happened, but this response was more prevalent among those who’ve been on the mailing list for more than a year, which means that you never went through the initial set of emails that everyone gets now that introduce them to what we do as a company.
For a quick run down, I’ll quote the About page here:
“For those artists who are ready to get serious about their art business, we offer some advanced training courses and services:
- One-on-one coaching via phone/Skype. If you are interested in talking with me directly, the best thing you can do is visit the TAA artist business coaching pageand book an appointment.
- Self-study courses for art business. If you’re just getting started in your online business journey, check out some of our self-study courses that cover beginner topics on the Artist Courses Page.”
I’m going to be working on some other projects to keep you up to date on what we offer here at TAA to help you grow your art business. Stay tuned for that.
If you want to learn to sell art online, you should check out our flagship course, Content Marketing for Artists.
The Top Issues with Selling Art
Making the Right Connection – this was the top-selected response, and after some reflection on it, I think it was a poorly worded question, because when I saw that this was the top response I thought, “what does that mean?” But it’s that word again – connection. It could mean a number of things, but some examples are: connecting with enough collectors, the right type of collectors, or the right type of art galleries. At it’s core, it’s a pretty simple concept: how can TAA help artists connect with the right people enough times?
Mental barriers & self doubt – I’ve written a lot about mindset. The way you think about your art, your ability to talk to people, to ask for money in return for a thing you created – these all matter a LOT more than knowing how to hit the right buttons on Facebook, or how to have a perfect website. Simply put, if you believe that you are capable of earning money from your art, you will. If you don’t believe you are capable, you won’t.
Insufficient knowledge – I’m somewhat surprised that this one came in this high on the list of problems. Here at TAA we literally give away so much knowledge in our blog posts that any artist who wanted to could scrape together a basic income from their art. Our classes are really designed for focusing this work and making it happen even faster. If you’re looking for knowledge, this is the place. I can show you exactly what you need to do – the rest is up to you. I do think that lack of knowledge is often used as an excuse by artists whose real problem is doubting themselves or their own art.
Some Additional Opportunities for TAA
There was some consistent feedback that I think needs to be addressed by individual blog posts. Here’s a run down of those issues. As I write blog posts about all of them, I’m going to update this post with a link to those posts.
You Can’t Sell Expensive Art Online. You totally can, and artists do. I have stories coming from artists who’ve sold pieces for $5,000, $10,000, and higher online. UPDATE: Check out How to Sell A $10,000 Painting Online.
How Does Your Advice Apply if I Make X Kind of Art? The simple fact is that marketing is marketing, and I try to teach general principles. A common refrain is that “my art takes a long time to make – how do I keep attention without constant work in progress?” Realism. Abstract. Contemporary. Portraiture. Commission work. The principles of marketing apply to each genre. That said, I’ll be putting some genre-specific advice out, since so many asked for it.
Your Courses Could be Higher Quality. This is absolutely true. While I do think that the information in the courses is solid, and many students have benefitted from the material, up until recently the courses were created by one person with a limited set of skills: me. Now that TAA has grown a bit and we have a couple of people on staff, we can focus on better presentation of our courses. This was already in progress. Stay tuned for that!
Free Stuff Winners!
We gave away more than a dozen memberships in our online training courses, as well as a $100 Dick Blick gift card.
We’ve emailed all of the winners and are awaiting their responses.
image by Sorokti
So, what do you think about connection?
How does making emotional connections play into your life as an artist?
In answer to your question about emotional connection: This is one of the big reasons I am hesitant to get back into the gallery world – I never met or knew who bought my paintings. I put so much time and a part of myself into my work, meeting and knowing who buys my work completes the circle for me and I am not left hanging. This is why I love doing commissions, as difficult as they are at times, it the connection with my collectors that I love and somehow need.
Indeed! The payoff is nice, isn’t it?
I agree with Meredith. I am a portrait artist and mostly my commissioned work is via the web. With a baby or child, all I can ever hope to show is the love and the joy of their family. It is a way of preserving memories and capturing life’s special moments.
I love the feedback from my patrons when they write back eg “OMG – it is beautiful – you have captured their sweet little characters”.etc. All I can ever do is try to create an image that brings a smile.
Isn’t that feedback great?
for me having someone stop and look at my work is a fantastic feeling whether they like it or not my work connected with them thus caused them to interact now i’m going full time as a
career and find i’m having much more of a difficult time than i thought
with the struggle of working from my soul and not letting sales affect my work i will have to compromise a bit i guess (another bloody learning curve)
Cory, I applaud your honestly, hard work, and open listening skills. This was a great mail. I am one of the people who took the survey, and now I’m glad I participated in it. I will stay tuned. Thanks!
Thanks Sally! We’re all growing together, to be sure!
Cory, thank you so much for sharing this, and for being such an inspiring example to me.
As an artist who is a very deep thinker as well as a coach, my mission to help artists was really validated when I read what you shared as your second highest audience response, which was “mindset and self-doubt.” I sometimes wondered if that was enough to build a business on, and I believe it is… because removing those barriers can really make astounding improvements to someone’s creative career.
It also effects the “making the connection” part (your number one response) because lots of us are introverted and tend to avoid making connections… which is a mindset, too.
Thanks again for all you do… Mike
I agree! The catch 22 of being an artist is that we create in a solitary environment but we depend on the interaction and feedback from other people to keep us motivated and growing in our art. So, helping us to get connected with the “right people” (those who will validate our artistic gifts) would be a great business.
It is indeed a great business. I love it!
Hi Cory, Thanks for sharing this, and all the information you make avaiable to other artists. I’ve been ‘saving’ your emails for quite a while to read when I feel the time is right for me to seriously pursue selling my work as a business. That time is coming soon. I know a lot of it has to do with my core beliefs. Thanks for your consistent message of hope and all the examples of success you share. Echoing Mike, Thanks for all that you do!!
Cory,
I have to admit of been a bit of a lurker, I read and listen to your programs, but up to this point haven’t said anything. Your information is so good. A lot of people tell you what they are going to tell you or teach over and over and over. Then never get to the meat of the thing. You information is so useful and so real. Thanks for all you do.
Can’t wait to learn how to sell expensive pieces on line, see that’s the good stuff!
Thank you,
Amy Hillenbrand
Thanks for saying hi Amy!
Cory, I am fairly new to following you, TAA and becoming a full-time artist. I did take the survey and want to thank you so much for your hard work on our behalf.
In response to why I might not be aware of all TAA has to offer as a business; For me; I am just not ready yet. I’m still reading through your free email series. But if you will be patient as I paint and build my website and keep posting your workshops I will be ready soon. My brain can only handle so much at a time, but my loyalty is long-lasting. Thanks.
Thanks Paula! We’re here when you’re ready.
HI Cory,
I’ve appreciated your advice and information. I’m different than a lot of your artists in that I knew I wanted to begin selling right away. I’ve been painting for about five years – and selling for 4 of those. I’ve sold in galleries, boutiques, EBAY and local art walks. I’m always experimenting with what painting product/print will sell. I’ve learned that talking to customers indeed makes a huge difference in direct selling. My biggest problem is selling more expensive paintings and continuing to build an online market. Almost everything I sell is less than $500 (and sometimes far less). I prefer to be my own businessman – and keep track of all expenses so that I “really” know how much profit I’m making. (so many artists I talk to don’t do this). I look forward to tips in the future and may take a marketing course if you can demonstrate that the content is truly effective. I think more artists should know that selling is “fun” – what a high when someone hands you cash for your creative work!
thanks
John
Hi John, you may want to take a look at the Praise page – all of these people have taken various courses from us.
Hi Cory – I enjoyed reading the survey results. I, too, was surprised that folks were not sure what TAA was about! This is just a thought I had, that your blogs posts and podcasts are all so good, but maybe people need an “order in which to do things”? I went to your “start here” page, and even after looking at it, I wanted a “first, create your artist website”, or “create your facebook business page first” or some such thing – 1st through 10th, then when those tasks are complete, the person is ready for coaching or their first paid class…I am a little more analytical as a creative, so maybe not everyone needs or wants that!
As always, great content and things to make me think and work on…
That’s a brilliant idea Cindy. I’ll get to work on that right away.
Hello Cory,
I am in the same situation as Paula, I am not yet ready. I only just started getting into a specific art medium and I do not have the skills and knowledge quite yet to create a finished product ready to sell. I also am in the preparation stage, creating my online presence and writing a blog detailing my journey through all this.
I love your posts, especially the podcasts and emails and appreciate everything you do. Keep sending the workshop details! I can’t wait to join when I am ready.
I love Cindy’s Idea, I am the type that requires the order.
Thank you Cory, you have made a big difference in my life and have been so inspiring.
Lori
Will do Lori!
Hi Cory
Thank you so much for sharing this with us, I really appreciate your honesty and also appreciate the community you have created here online. I currently live in New Zealand and yet I have found that my connections have been made with artists who are mostly in the US or Europe. I would love to be part of a local art community and to have connections here in NZ but so far this has not been the case. Do you have any advice on how to make connections with the ‘right’ or supportive art community.
Blessings Angela
I just started tuning into your blogs and webinars, and have gotten a lot of information advice and encouragement. Thanks so much. I am finally able to focus on making Art. Please keep it up and thanks again
The whole idea of “connection” terrifies me. I am definitely an introvert. If I have to meet and greet and “connect” with buyers in order to be successful, I doubt if I can do it. Why do people want to feel they know the artist? Why can’t the work stand on its own?
I love to paint and I am thrilled when someone likes one of my paintings enough to buy it, but I’d rather eat nails than meet strangers and open up my feelings to them. Am I doomed?
Nancy, for some people, all they need is to see a piece of art and they want it. But sometimes people need a story or something that they can use as a “way in” to understanding the art. Think of Jackson Pollack. Many people don’t find his art very impressive until they hear the back story about how he was looking for a new form and how much work it took to make the pieces.
I would ask back, why does connecting with people terrify you? It’s one thing to be an introvert and recognize that people drain you. Many introverts can do what’s necessary to sell their work without being terrified. If there is a fear there, it’s telling you something besides, “I can’t do this.”
Cory,
Thanks for your guidance through your blogs and posts – I have appreciated the info you have shared to help me get my art business started. I have been working the past year on building a portfolio of paintings in a surreal style. I have started building a website on WIX but have found it a difficult process as there are no instructions on the site to guide me on how to design it. I realize that this is a free service, but I wonder if there is another free service (or fairly inexpensive website building service) that’s less difficult to navigate? Anyone have a suggestion?
I recently found this website builder: https://www.imxprs.com but I have never used it.
http://www.shopify.com looks great, but it is $14/month to start.
I also find Wix and WordPress difficult to use.
Lori
Another option is Weebly, http://www.weebly.com/ but I guess it is very similar to Wix. If you find Wix too difficult, maybe you should find somebody to do it for you.
Hi Cory, it seems that a good survey plus insightful interpretation equals useful knowledge! Getting responses is one thing, but figuring out what they mean is another matter. I strongly agree with your thought that “insufficient knowledge” for a lot of people really means “insufficient confidence”, although knowledge is still important of course!
Hi I did the survey and so it’s good to hear the results. I can only repeat what you and others say about connecting to the right people- getting genuine positive feedback is indeed the most inspiring and motivating thing, with money a close second!
However, I do want to make a point about “sufficient knowledge” : I agree there is a plethora of useful and practical information on this site and lots of similar ones- and this can be a problem. When i first came on here- with little experience of business and marketing it was truly overwhelming. For every article i read i opened 3 or 4 links (to TAA, to Melissa´s site, Creative insurgents etc etc) and read all the comments- the result is just *too much* information (especially for a newbie) and often contradictory advice.(“Don´t use art malls”/ “How to sell on Etsy!” for example).
This is not the fault of the people giving all this great advice but i have found it takes a while to filter and assimilate and apply all/some of this advice to your particular style/market/business. I dont know if there is any way to make this easier? Sometimes it feels like i have *so many* options that i feel a bit paralysed about what to do next or that i could just spend my entire life online on 20 different social networks and blogs researching and promoting myself, and never pick up a brush again!…. any thoughts?
Having just read your comments, I find myself in exactly the place you are stating; too many options, and extremely time consuming to filter through many choices. The steps necessary to sell art are the steps one would take in any business and those steps are time consuming, especially as we find our way into what means of selling best suits us and the art we produce.
Interesting to see the results of the survey. Unfortunately, all my online ‘connections’ are in the USA and a lot of the material comes from the USA, but might not be applicable in Europe. Wish I would know somebody like you who is familiar with the online art market in Europe (where I live). My impression from some German online forums is that buying art online is still unheard of, and probably more so in Austria where I live. I guess it will come at some point. My observation is also that we are more traditional and only a small percentage of the population does a lot of things online.
Cory,
I too have been lurking, trying to absorb and retain as much information as possible. I can say “ditto” to just about everyone else’s comments because I feel the same things. This is a great resource with wonderful information. Although I have a successful decorative painting business in the suburbs of New York for 16 years, my journey into,paintings began last April when a high end furniture store manager asked if I could do abstract art. “I do now!” Was my response, and it has opened up a whole new world to me. I absolutely loved loved loved the process, and created 40 large canvases (up to,48 x 48) in less than two months. I sold one immediately, and now have some paintings with an art consultant who I had casually met years before, and she has sold four. My goal is to market myself to designers and more consultants, as well as create a strong online presence.
As one reader said, there is so much info all at once, that I try to read everything and learn all the possibilities, but then get stuck and do nothing. I swore that by January 1 I was going to have an e-commerce site, blog regularly, and have a good plan of action to pursue my new dream — make enough money with my art so I can come down off of ladders and scaffolding! I am 56 and sometimes feel a sense of urgency, that I don’t have years to build up my art business, like I did my faux finishing business.
I am up til all hours of the night researching art marketing, reading, listening to podcasts such as yours, and then I get frustrated that I didn’t spend the time painting. I like the idea of spelling out the steps that need to be taken, and in what order. I feel like I am stagnating because I didn’t do things I thought I should have done by now.
Keep up the great work, because without people like you, we would really be walking around in circles!! I am sure I will be onboard soon.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Debbie. I think a step-by-step order of what to do does seem to be in order, doesn’t it?
Just so you know, we have a document like that as part of the Content Marketing for Artists course.
I’m a few months late with a response! Although I started the Marketing Course several months ago, it is going to be very slow (but steady!) progress for me: baby priorities! And I’m OK with that. I have learned so much from what I have been able to digest. I agree with several of the above comments: there is an absolute plethora of information and knowledge, and so much of it free! What a gift!
So far, I have found the course to be laid out in concise steps, some more time consuming than others, but good for building sturdy, necessary foundations; and helping me develop a better plan not only for marketing and (eventual) sales, but also for developing my practice with a methodical, deliberate approach. The idea that we create when the inspiration hits us with a frenzy of passion and exuberance, is a little nonsensical. Happy accidents only happen once in a while. Continual thought and making develop my story to be told.
It is great to be in close (cyber) contact with so many creative types; where ideas and progress can be shared and congratulated, discussed and suggestions to questions, and opinions given.
Thanks most for the confidence and assurance given in the course, which completing an Art degree sadly stripped me of.