Last week I wrote about why I haven’t found success as an artist yet. I told you I’m a scaredy cat, and this week I’d give you a list of ten scary things I’m going to do to grow my business.
Before I get to the list, though, I want to acknowledge something: in 2015 I was still trying to make it work as a health coach. I realized it was not what I wanted and heard art calling my name so loudly that I had no choice but to go toward it.
In early 2016 I sold 2 or 3 prints, making maybe 40 bucks. After that I gave up really quickly because I was scared/didn’t think I was good enough/you name it.
In late 2016 and early 2017 I jumped back into art in a big way, and since putting some intention behind it and declaring that I want to make a living as an artist, I’ve consistently sold artwork every month since July.
I’m not making a living yet, but I’m making enough to buy more art supplies, and I want to acknowledge that things are, in fact, going in the right direction. I need to do even more and put myself out there in bigger, more consistent ways to see bigger results, though.
Okay, here’s my list. It’s only 8 things, and you’ll find out why at the end of the post.
#1 Share my artwork and blog posts on my personal Facebook page regularly.
Why it scares me: I have this block where I think I’m going to be bothering people or people will think I’m pushy/only care about my business, because I hardly ever post anything else on my personal page. I don’t like sharing a lot of personal information, I don’t post pictures of my kid anywhere on social media, and I don’t want to discuss politics online. Anyway, excuses, excuses.
What I’m gonna do: Starting with this post, I’m going to share my writing each week on my personal page. I’m also going to post there at least two other times each week, showing art for sale or works in progress.
#2 Call Twigs and Leaves to see how to apply to get my art in their shop.
Why it scares me: Uh, rejection, of course. Also, I seriously hate being on the phone and almost always avoid it, especially when rejection is a possibility (I’m usually ok ordering pizza). I love this shop, have loved it for years, and it’s filled with tree and nature-themed artwork and could potentially be a great fit. I don’t think I’m good enough, so that’s why it’s scary to even call.
What I’m gonna do: Pick up the phone and ask what it takes to show my work to be considered. Once I find out, I’m sure actually following the steps they give me will be on a separate scary list, ha.
#3 What it is: Share every single blog post on my business page.
Why it scares me: I’m not exactly sure. Maybe worry that something I’m sharing will upset someone who follows me on Facebook but doesn’t read my blog? Typing it out here makes it seem not all that scary.
What I’m gonna do: Post every single blog post to Facebook, starting with this one
#4 What it is: Call Art on Depot to see about having my artwork there.
Why it scares me: I know the owner (sort of, I took a pottery class there years ago and we’re Facebook friends) and there could be rejection. Y’all, typing this out just shows me how I have the same fear over and over again, and it’s not even an interesting fear, because everyone fears rejection. An interesting fear would be if I was scared that my artwork was going to be eaten by giant radioactive caterpillars or something.
What I’m gonna do: Contact the owner, probably via Facebook, to see what the process is to have my artwork in her shop.
#5 Apply to have my art on the cover of Laurel of the Arts
Why it scares me: Same old, same old.
What I’m gonna do: Email them and ask. NBD.
#6 Try to get into an Asheville gallery.
Why it scares me: It feels like a bigger deal than trying to get my work into a place locally (I live about half an hour outside AVL). It actually doesn’t feel as scary now that I’ve been working through this list.
What I’m gonna do: Look at the website for aSHEville museum to find out how to submit; call if I can’t find it.
#7 Tell people what I do with no caveats
Why it scares me: I think I’m just insecure. When new people meet me and ask what I do, I always give a long answer about my freelance writing, my part-time job, being a mom, and my art. I used to not even mention art, so I’m making progress, but I’m ready to tell people, straight-out, “I’m an artist.” (Unless I’m at a specifically job-related function.)
What I’m gonna do: Practice this next time I meet someone. Also, order business cards.
# 8 Contact people shortly after they buy my art and ask if it arrived safely/how they like it.
Why it scares me: What if they think it sucks? I’ve started using higher and higher quality materials, but some of my older paintings aren’t on the super thick frames/canvas, and the wiring on some of the pieces is really thick. And what if the piece doesn’t look like they expected? It’s a fear of finding out that there’s something horribly wrong with my art and therefore, me.
What I’m going to do I did!!! I contacted the two people who most recently bought art from me! (I sold another piece to someone locally and literally handed it to her, so I know it got to her in one piece and that she liked it.)
I am so glad I did this one! As you can probably tell from all the exclamation points! I messaged the first person over Facebook, as that’s how we’d been communicating, and she said she got it and she loved it.
The second contact was even more positive! Not only did she have plenty of really terrific things to say, she asked me if I’d be open to making some other small pieces to give as gifts, woot!
I plan to do this consistently from here on out, with the understanding that someday, at some point, someone isn’t going to be happy, and that’s just part of business. I’m thankful for the positive interactions that got me started down this road.
So that’s my list. And it’s only 8 long because I ran out of things that I want to do (for now) that make me feel like I’m going to throw up.
In fact, while I was thinking about this list, I realized there’s another, potentially even more powerful, reason I’m not as successful as I want to be, and I need to put some real work behind it. To find out what it is and what I’m going to do about it, check back next week. I’ll also update you on what I’ve checked off my scary list.
I would absolutely love to hear what scares you, why, and what you’re gonna do about it!