The art world is diverse and can be overwhelming as a beginner. There is a lot to pay attention to and quickly pass (usually also unconscious) mistakes.
Since I also work as an artist mentor in addition to my own artistic activity-and therefore regularly come with young artists in Contact Us -I always notice the same artist mistakes that I would like to share with you today. So I would like to help you avoid them!
01 too much "professionalism"
In their beginnings in particular, young artists in particular usually have no representation of galleries and often not yet a fixed customer base. At the beginning, they are strongly based on supposedly successful colleagues, both in their communication and in their pricing.
Why is this one of the artist mistakes?
To make it short: high prices arise from exclusivity, and this is caused by a surplus of demand. To create this demand, you need many Contact Us points with as many art -interested people as possible. You will be able to manufacture this Contact Us if you shield yourself behind false exclusivity.
An usual example of this category is when young artists call themselves "artist name + Gallery". In the belief that the term "gallery" or gallery gives them a certain renown, the marketing channels of these artists often often like a museum that has focused in a minimal way. This makes it difficult for new prospective artists to connect to art and VA to the artist.
(Apart from the fact that the profession of art dealer is not only completely different from that of an artist)
In my opinion, you can play with the status of the "young artist" and use it for your own advantage. People love to discover new, great art, and even before everyone! We often see this effect in the music industry! If you go open and honestly with your status as a young artist, potential customers become supporters on your way upwards who not only buy your art but also help you with the spread of your art or otherwise help.
Because unfiltered, authentic enthusiasm is more contagious than anything!
02 Too much options
In the beginning of their art, young artists often have no clear profile and no clear idea of their art (and art sales strategy!) And experiment a lot with their own communication.
The mistake often happens here that they are overloaded with ideas and options. Because just because you experiment a lot artistically does not mean that this is why every experiment has to be sold and that every sales model has to be offered!
The reality of the art market shows that most people are one thing above all: lazy to make decisions . Because if you make thousands of decisions in work and everyday life every day, you usually don't have the muse that also does for the acquisition of works of art!
mentioned on this topic regarding tips for artists + the Christmas business a decision:
I want to buy the work of art or not?
In practice, I often see additional options for frame, then frame color, different sizes and VA for reproductions and prints, even various options for the material, e.g. printed on canvas, on Fineart paper or as an aluminum dibond, ...
The result: The decision -making process for the customer is becoming increasingly complex, and it has to spend more and more work in order to find out more about the various options and weigh them up against each other. This not only leads to confusion and frustration, but also measurably only due to time constraints to terminate the ordering process.
The decision -making paralysis is real - therefore decide yourself (and thus for your customer) for a variant, and for him limits the action steps, tasks and VA distractions in the sales process.
The easier, the better.
03 too little continuity
Following on point 1, the (missing) process of the connection to prospective customers of their art is another typical artist mistake that VA can slow you down in your growth. Because this connection does not happen overnight. As with any relationship or friendship, connections arise from frequent and VA regular Contact Us .
If you present yourself irregularly on your social media and maybe send newsletters irregularly once or twice a year, you will quickly be forgotten and definitely do not build any interest and therefore no demand for your art.
But if you want to live from your art, you have to treat 'art business' and be present regularly-just like any other company!
Conclusion
Especially at the beginning, the artist's career path can be rocky. However, if you are already full of motivation to work on regularly, to optimize the discovery and purchase process of your artists' prospective customers openly and authentically with your status as a young artist, you are on the right track! I wish you much success! And like to write your questions as a comment!
Max Rübensal is a contemporary artist and art author from Berlin, who reflects in his works and texts about symbolism, identity, pop culture and the constantly growing digitization of our everyday life.