Wednesday, December 7, 2011

5 steps to successful living in Arts and Design





This post is for both new and existing Artists, Designers & Crafters to focus on how to create a successful Lifestyle Business.
  1. Build a good foundation
  • What do you want from your Art and design
  • What are your skills, craftsmanship and creativity?
  • Do you have a product?
  • Do you have an idea for developing one?
  • What to make and when and how to make it.
  • Where to live.
  • Work from home or away
  • Can you do the work yourself or do you need to hire someone to do it?
  • Will you be a wholesaler or retailer?
  • Will you make one-of-a kind pieces for galleries? Or production work?
  • Will you prepare to licence your work or designs
  • Your Business Structure
  • Who are the key people you depend on (Your Key Stakeholders)
    • Customers
    • Suppliers
    • Employees (staff)
    • Owner (Business partner or shareholders)
    • Competitors
  1. Goal Setting
 Identify your long, medium & short term goals.
  • LTG: are those that you just have no idea how to accomplish them. They may be a challenge or they may just scare you.
  • STG: are those you can visualise reaching in the day, week or month.
  • MTG: are those that fall in the middle.
  • Your Personal Goal:
    • BODY: Goals relate to physical objectives i.e. losing weight or going to the gym more often.
    • Mind: Goals that require a mental reorientation i.e. becoming more positive in your thinking or learning a new skill or career.
    • Spirit: Goals that are more metaphysical in nature i.e. meditation or visualization.
  • Your Business Goal:
    • Business  & Strategy Planning
    • Write down when, in the course of a week, a month or a year, you get time to reflect on:
    • The direction your business is heading
    • Your Quirkiness , your uniqueness, your  design signature
    • The palettes of your competitive edge.

  1. Personal  & Business Development
    • Be a student of personal development. Read business and self development books and learn new skills and gain new knowledge to develop yourself.
    • Product and Market research. Search on the internet, visit trade shows, craft markets and go window shopping for ideas


  1. Income Producing Activities
o       Be consistent and persistent with your income producing activities!
o       Every day that you work on your business, be disciplined about your day.
o       Plan your daily and weekly activities
o       Use ArtSHINE’s  “Weekly Activity Planner”
o       Produce and update your “Style Guide” folders regularly.
o       Work on your Business. Be  the leader of your  field and “Build a name for yourself”
o       Market your work to generate sell opportunity
o       Post your Blogs
o       Media release
o       Call your potential customers immediately
o       Invite prospective buyers to your studio/Gallery
o       Visit clients
o       Do follow up calls

  1. Networking and Masterminding with Leaders
o  Learn from the best!  Connect with a network of a strong mind set. Speak to you your      business coach /Mentor on at least a monthly basis.
o  Participate on workshops and attend seminars.
o  Do what the top artists and designers do, emulate their successes and you will have what they have.
o  Look for ways to contribute to the Art & Designs community.
o  Work for a Charity or form your own foundation and give back to community.



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