Art as a Small Business

While I'm not 'officially' a small business - I just work under my own name - now that I'm making a living from my art and writing, I'm finding that I have to be a lot more professional in my approach. When you are working for somebody else, all that stuff is done for you - you just turn up to the office each day. It doesn't help that I'm organizationally challenged. About's Small Business: Canada guide, Susan Ward, fortunately came to my rescue (even though she doesn't know it) as I subscribe to her newsletter. She can organize anything. Seriously. She's got articles on organizing paperwork and organizing your life . If you're trying to attract customers and build a name, you might be interested in 10 Low-Cost Ways to Promote Your Business. If you're thinking of selling drawings on ebay, check out 7 Tips for Selling on Ebay.

I also find myself watching business shows on tv from time to time - often the businesses are far removed from art, but you can figure out the basic principles and apply them to how you deal with your artwork. They won't always be useful, but you'd be surprised how relevant they can be. The trick is to consider your artwork as your 'product', and your name as your 'brand'. This doesn't mean you have to be commercial when creating your art, but when it comes to selling, you have to be, or else you are just wasting your time and talent.

One of our Australian small business shows, 'Bread', features struggling small businesses and teams them up with a mentor-for-a-day - often a major player in their field. Its fascinating seeing the wisdom that these experienced people bring, picking up strengths and weaknesses in the small business. While most of us can't meet up with our favorite artists and illustrators, you can always have an imaginary mentor session with them. Imagine they walk into your studio. (Ok, studio space. Desk. Sit on your bed and look at your sketchbooks). What would they say to you? What could you be doing better? What are your strengths to build on? What area needs work, but is avoided because you find it hard?

And who would you choose to be your mentor?

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