Whether it succeeds or fails, each project you launch is a stepping stone towards your next idea. Don’t bank so much on the success of one project that you don’t move on to the next one.
Do common things uncommonly well to set yourself apart.
Don’t force every idea to become a cash cow; leave some art just for yourself. You might still make money off of it, but don’t create it for that cause. Focus on the purity of the craft and let other endeavors (artistic or not) pay the bills.
Time spent perfecting your craft is not time wasted, and neither is time spent earning a living. Find the balance and appreciate both pursuits.
Harshini asks, “I am a self-taught artist and plan to use my art on products (stickers, calendars, etc.) and sell them. I plan to start this as a side hustle and gradually make it full-time. Are there other things I could consider besides publishing books?”
Selling small merch like pins, stickers, and stationery is a great side hustle if you have a strong fanbase. You can either make merch that expands on your existing brand (for example, characters from your comic book or graphic novel) or design pieces that appeal to a more general audience. If you’re not already well-known for your brand, the second option is your best bet.
Don’t invest too much in printers and materials right off the bat; outsource your first minimum viable batch of product from a printer so you can test what sells best without high startup costs. You can always purchase your own printer down the line.
Will asks, "I want to be a gallery artist but don’t want to confine myself to one style. How can I develop a brand that allows me to experiment with various media?”
You need a defined brand, especially if you want to work with galleries, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experiment. For starters, not all of your experiments need to be public. You could make large oil paintings for gallery shows and still play with colored pencil sketches behind the scenes. As you develop those “hobby styles,” you may choose to bring them to the forefront of your work, which you can do strategically instead of sharing every half-baked experiment.
Note that your different styles might not be all that different. Often things that seem like drastic detours from our usual artistic choices don’t look so off-brand to others. You can be strategic about incorporating certain style elements, like your color palette, through all the different media you explore. This will create continuity while allowing you the freedom to experiment.
You may find that certain markets are best for showcasing certain of your styles. Galleries are great for large paintings, while local markets might be better for small linoleum prints. Having diverse outlets can give you options for sharing multiple styles without appearing scattered.
Robert asks, "Is it our place as contractors to say something to the client if we feel they are getting bad business advice?”
While you don’t want to overstep your clients’ boundaries, you also don’t want to be the victim of their poor choices. If the advice in question affects the work you’ll be doing, speak up. If it doesn’t, it’s best to hold your peace.
As a general rule, don’t enter into business relationships with people who can’t hold open conversations. Conflict and disagreement are natural parts of human interaction, so it’s essential that you and your clients can address things honestly and civilly.
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