From Starving Artist to a Mogul: How to Become an ArtistPreneur
You don’t have to be a struggling creator, clinging to life by the skin of your teeth.
I know, there is something almost romantic about the artist who lived on the bones of her ass for years. She dances on the edge of poverty, hustling from one odd job to the next just to scrape together enough cash to chase her passion.
She paints, writes, draws, or edits in every stolen moment she can snatch from the jaws of her day-to-day grind.
We can’t help but admire the hustle - it’s a twisted fairytale that we all relate to, a siren song of creative martyrdom that draws us in.
These artists seem to materialize out of thin air, conjuring up creations from the depths of their soul after years spent wrestling with the demons of obscurity.
And maybe, just maybe, when their creation finally steps into the light, they'll finally get paid what they're worth.
But let's not kid ourselves - this isn't the way it usually goes down.
No. All too often, an artist or creator only attains that dizzying trifecta of fame, success, and financial freedom long after they've been laid to rest - six feet under or reduced to ashes at a scorching 1000 degrees.
The world of art can be a cruel, unforgiving place – but it doesn't have to be.
The Businessman Who Wanted to Write
And then there's the businessman, a wolf in a suit, who's always harbored a secret.
Above all, he wants to create, but he holds money on a pedestal too high to climb down from.
How often do we hear of these money-making machines, these titans of industry who've spent their entire lives amassing fortunes, launching and scaling businesses into sprawling empires, basking in the glory of payday, only to start the cycle anew?
And all while a hidden voice gnaws away at the businessman’s soul, whispering of the novel he’s always wanted to write, or the landscape he aches to paint.
That nagging voice torments him, but all he's ever known is the relentless pursuit of the almighty dollar.
Maybe, just maybe, on the day he finally hangs up his suit and retires, he'll set up an easel or slide a sheet of paper into a dusty typewriter, and begin to coax the story that's been lurking within him for years onto the page.
There must be a way that we can merge the two traits - the ones of the artist and the entrepreneur into something special. Well, that’s when we hit the sweetspot…
The Sweetspot - The Intersection Between Artist and Entrepreneur
When bankers get together for dinner, they discuss art. When artists get together for dinner, they discuss money.
It's true that an entrepreneur must possess a certain spark of creativity.
And for an artist to find success, they must also don the hat of a salesperson or business builder.
Yet the struggle to merge art and commerce remains a twisted dance, a high-wire act that few dare to attempt.
The divide between the worlds of art and business stretches wide, but for those brave enough to bridge the gap, a rare breed of creator emerges: the ArtistPreneur.
In this realm, the raw power of creativity and the cold, calculating instincts of a business mogul collide, unleashing a force to be reckoned with.
So let's dive headfirst into this tumultuous sea and discover what it takes to rise above the starving artists and the money-obsessed businessmen, to unite these seemingly disparate worlds and become the unstoppable force that is an ArtistPreneur.
Amateur to Professional - Artist to ArtistPreneur
If you're an artist and no one ever sees your work because you remain an amateur, or you don't know how to sell and market your product, are you really an artist?
Are you adding value to the world?
Sure, you're adding value to your life, exploring your passion, and connecting to a deeper side of yourself. The side that yearns to create.
But imagine if you knew how to sell, how to make money from your art.
This would allow you to create more, rather than working that soul-sucking 9-5 job just to make ends meet, coming home exhausted at the end of the day with barely enough energy to pick up a paintbrush or open your laptop.
If you're an artist, you need to learn how to treat yourself like a business.
You need to master the craft of salesmanship. Because let's be brutally honest, if you're just starting out, your work isn't going to speak for itself just yet.
So, you need to become a company - Steven Pressfield calls this 'You, Inc'. To do this, you need to think of yourself as a company. This means you get to wear two hats. You can hire yourself and you can fire yourself. This is where you - the creator - reinforce professionalism in your craft.
You move from an amateur to a paid fucking professional who is worth their dues!
From ‘The War of Art’ by Steven Pressfield
It means you're able to separate yourself from the artist doing the work, and the entrepreneur selling your goods. You no longer create only when you feel a calling to do so.
You treat yourself like a business.
You show up and do the work every day.
You create a business plan, a content strategy, implement marketing techniques, grow an audience, learn sales, and find customers.
This is how you become the ArtistPreneur.
Entrepreneur to ArtistPreneur
If you're an entrepreneur, you need to connect to the artist inside of you.
Otherwise, you'll never create anything new for the world.
Or, you’ll never go ‘Zero to One’ as Peter Thiel calls it.
No, you'll just copy someone else's strategy for making money, drop the profit margins, and feel an emptiness inside that you can't quite put your finger on.
If you want to be the next Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, or Naval Ravikant, and build billion-dollar products and services from scratch, you have to be able to create.
'An entrepreneur is one who always searches for changes, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity.'
So, if you're not connected to the artist in you, you're not going to be able to search for changes, connect the dots necessary to build something new and valuable and exploit it as an opportunity.
No, you'll only follow the status quo, and that means you'll only ever get status quo rewards.
Embrace the artist within and fuel your entrepreneurial spirit with creativity, daring to defy convention, and forging a path through the wilderness of the business world.
This union of artistry and entrepreneurship will make you an unstoppable force, a blazing comet of originality and success. This is the path to becoming an ArtistPreneur.
How to Become an ArtistPreneur
Listen, my friend, I know the thought of selling your art can feel like selling your soul.
But let's cut through the bullshit for a moment and talk about it, shall we?
The world is filled with talented creators who are afraid of being seen as "salespeople."
They imagine some slick, snake-oil peddler in a cheap suit, and they shudder.
But here's the cold, hard truth: if you want to make a living from your art, you need to learn how to sell.
Now, before you recoil in horror, let me assure you that selling doesn't mean compromising your integrity or artistic vision. It simply means learning how to communicate the value of your work and finding the people who will appreciate it.
So, how do you shed your fears of being a salesperson?
It starts with a change in mindset. You're not some huckster trying to swindle people out of their hard-earned cash. You're an artist, sharing your unique vision with the world and offering them something of value.
Think about it this way: when you create something beautiful, powerful, or thought-provoking, you're giving people a gift. Your art can touch lives, spark conversations, and inspire others. And that, my friend, is worth paying for.
Now, as for learning how to sell, it's a skill like any other. With practice and persistence, you'll get better at it.
7 Tips to Get You Started as an ArtistPreneuer:
1. Know your audience
Understand who your ideal buyer is and what they're looking for. This will help you target your marketing efforts and speak their language. Learn about what moves them and what their fears are. Discover where they struggle and have pain, and then figure out how you can solve those fears and provide a solution to their pain.
2. Tell your story
People connect with stories, not sales pitches. Share the inspiration behind your work, your creative process, and what drives you as an artist. This helps to build a connection with potential buyers and earn your first digital dollar.
3. Showcase your work
Make it easy for people to see and experience your art. Create a website or social media presence, and don't be shy about sharing your latest creations.
4. Network
Get on Twitter and start posting whatever comes to mind. Connect with other creators. And if you prefer to meet people in person - attend art fairs, galleries, workshops, and other events where your target audience hangs out. Build relationships with other artists and industry professionals. The more people you know, the more opportunities will come your way.
5. Offer value
Give people a reason to invest in your work beyond just the art itself. Offer limited editions, signed prints, or other exclusive items that make your art feel special and worth the investment. Under promise and over deliver on the value that you provide to your potential customers.
6. Practice, practice, practice
Like any other skill, selling takes practice. Don't be discouraged if you don't see immediate results. You will hear a shitload of no’s before you get a yes. But, keep refining your approach, learning from your mistakes, and honing your sales skills.
7. Change your mindset
You're not a swindler or a snake-oil salesman; you're sharing your unique vision with the world. Drop the limiting beliefs around why no one would buy your art, or that you don’t know how to sell. Selling is a skill that absolutely anyone can learn. And trust me, there are people that are willing to part with a pretty penny to buy your art.
Become the ArtistPreneur
To summarize, you don't have to choose between being a starving artist or a cold-hearted businessperson.
There's a middle ground, a sweet spot where you can merge your artistic passions with your entrepreneurial spirit – the ArtistPreneur.
Shed the fears of selling and embrace the challenge of sharing your unique creations with the world. Remember, you're not just a creator – you're an ArtistPreneur, and the world is waiting to experience your art.
By following the tips I’ve shared, you'll not only find a balance between your creative and business sides, but you'll also build a thriving, sustainable career doing what you love.
So, take a deep breath, step out of your comfort zone, and begin your journey as an unstoppable ArtistPreneur. It's time to make your mark in the world.
