Art Economy And Craftsman Market

I will give you the real answer for how to get noticed as artists and craftsman. Know that you may not like it, but at least I am not trying to sell you something.

The art economy is especially challenging at this present day. The craftsman in this regard does have a slight a edge over the art world.

Every field within art has its own personality and market which drives it. Woodworking for example has historically been driven more by local forces than any other component.

This is done by craft shows or local shops, and also simply getting to know ones community. This path though should be utilized by both craftsman and artist alike.

The fine arts though which involve paint and canvas or sculpting is an altogether different breed of market. Historically there has been more institutional help for some who get involved in those communities.

Whether it be the local arts center or galleries which help them, in the end the market itself is unique.

In the past ten years there has been a shift which began to take place altering the landscape of these markets. The recent issues surrounding a global virus and people staying home has furthered the speed in this shift.

It is more critical than ever before for artists to cultivate their own art platform, develop public relations, and learn how to market art.

More At Home Hobbyist Than Before

Last year during the pandemic I needed to order a piece of equipment from a woodworking company. To get the equipment I had to wait four months for it to arrive.

The people there were nice and we simply began chatting. What I heard surprised me.

Their business was doing great but the volume in orders they were experiencing was creating problems.

The reason was more people were staying home and they were buying equipment to further their hobby.

Some decided to begin a start up business. People saw their time at home and began to think of ways to supplement their income.

This is a great evolution for the hobby in general yet there are other issues which this creates. A problem existed before the rush to begin a home based business that they never would see coming.

Once you create your product it obviously must go to market. How to get it there and how it fits into your portfolio is where things get muddy.

Many may have stayed within their local area to market if they could. But due to the pandemic there were many more who began to seek out online markets.

The same evolution is true for traditional artists as people turned to their skills rather than the 9 to 5 job.

Craftsmen across the country followed suit. Then in tow came the maker community. Each were pushing products attempting to gain sales or art commissions.

Eyes began to turn to markets such as Amazon Handmade and Etsy. A difficult dynamic suddenly became more problematic.

Amazon Handmade And Etsty Market Troubles

I never have liked places which set you up in an “online shop”. I did try once with Etsy and it drove me crazy.

Becoming a seller in locations such as these you surrender too much control of the business side of your work. They begin to dictate terms on basic matters such as shipping and returns.

Using something like WordPress to create an online gallery is just too easy. The same promotion you use with Etsy or others is still needed but it points to your brand.

You face less pressure having a platform you own. In some cases with Amazon, under certain conditions they attempt to pressure down the price at which you sell your work.

Years ago many artists and craftsman left these locations due to problematic issues such as these. The pool of sellers lost real artists, and the corporations needed to show an increase to these numbers.

As a result these entities began to allow “makers” of products from anywhere. Suddenly an artist could be competing against his own design from China.

The idea behind an Etsy or Amazon Handmade is to allow people who are a craftsman or artist to present their work. It should never be intended to become a primary art portfolio.

Yet as more mass produced items appear from overseas and were sold as “art” or “decor” value was lost. In turn the drive by the trend chasing maker community within the United States did not help.

What was to be a unique venue for genuine quality work became another online Walmart style retailer. This created trouble for making money by those who put heart and quality into original handmade artwork.

These problems existed long before any whisper of a pandemic hit the global community.

New Hobbyists Influx Find Unexpected Difficulties

I am personally all for an increased number of hobbyists. New artists or craftsmen are a wonderful thing.

We actually need more of them, not less. Our problem exists within another hemisphere of the market.

You also need to know I have no issues with corporations which find ways to make money. They employ people and help our economy.

There is a solution to these issues which we face but the dynamic to this problem is still relatively new. It will continue to evolve as the world adapts to causative issues.

As new hobbyists, or those hopeful to have a new home based business, move into these ready made online stores they will face problems.

Artists will be hit especially hard. In order to make money in these places requires more than one would think.

First a low overhead and fast production time is required. This already eliminates most artists and craftsman.

Additionally low prices are needed in order to compete with overseas imports and others like yourself.

The real hidden issue comes with the lack of getting exposure. To sell you need people to see you.

Unfortunately in order to gain the maximum views within places like Etsy requires you to agree to all their policy terms. It can be a pay to play style of system. Advertising in a new shop is almost a must.

There is an added problem which becomes compounding over time. These locations suggest that you build a marketing campaign through social media.

With this you point the social media to your store so that you can gain views. I find it interesting how their documentation actually points to this strategy.

While this seems logical, why would I ever put in my hard work for another company? If I am to work in order to build a following then it only makes sense to have my very own site.

If I am to promote, then I will promote myself not them. This brings an important question to mind. Should artists have social media? Also how should it be used?

What New Artists And Craftsman Fail To See In Costs

Every hour you spend promoting someone else’s site, even if you have a shop with them, only furthers their brand.

Too few realize that you can spend the same amount of time with your own website and gain far greater depth of exposure.

Here is the real problem. There is no shortcut or fast way to grow marketing for an art or craftsman shop.

Even with a website it can take a year, with a lot of work, in order to gain a few steady customers.

When you do decide to start your own venue all the time you spent in the past with those like Etsy is lost. You cannot take that work with you.

Many who spend money in advertising their art or craftsmanship cannot really afford it. There is a science behind this aspect which people spend careers in learning.

This too is not a fast way to make money. Advertising has multiple roles which it plays that include branding structures.

I am not trying to destroy anyone’s hopes or dreams here. Yet at the same time I do want people to have open eyes to the reality they are about to experience.

So then what would be the best way to begin?

Solutions For Long Term Growth

I know that for many having a website may seem intimidating. Yet for woodworkers, if you can run a table saw and construct the many things we do, then you can handle WordPress.

This is a solution which will allow you to have a site within a domain that you own. Get out of someone else’s box you cannot control.

Get hosting. Use something as simple as WordPress. Then the efforts you put into your marketing campaign will point to you rather than that other brand.

There are a host of blogs out there to help you learn how to market using Google. Keep in mind Google is far more powerful than Etsy or Amazon.

Aside from those two giants, the rest of the names are little fish. Personally they are not worth the time in my opinion.

To make money as an artist or craftsman you will spend more time in your initial efforts marketing than you will your art or woodwork.

In fact you may hang up the paint brushes or the saw for about six months to focus on this new vehicle. It really is the only way to ever compete against corporate brands.

After six months, with hard work, you will begin to see a heart beat and pulse to your brand. Understand it is alive, not thriving or generating anything substantial.

It is not possible at six months to generate any substantial revenue, if any at all. The online world is a really big place with a lot of people.

I told you earlier I would not lie to you, nor sell you anything. The truth is some spend years attempting to create a foothold. Its real work.

Continue to expand within your local venues within your hometown but be educated in how you do it. The artistic life is not easy, but it is doable when people understand it is a long term plan.

How Long Does It Really Take To Make Real Money?

The famous “it depends” is easy to use here. Really that is true. It depends on you and what you put into it.

A better way to frame that question is like this. How fast can you learn, and implement what you have learned?

There is no yardstick for measurement there. Every market and specialty will also be very different with strategies that are needed.

Yet generally speaking it can take three to five years to create something substantial. Those who have been around a little while will share this sentiment.

Some have been out there for ten years and still struggle daily. I say this for when you find those blogs which state “in one year I did”, you know they are bogus.

I want you to have a picture of the real world and what you will find rather than fishing for an unrealistic dream. Realistic goals and executing a real business plan is needed.

Basing your choices on quick schemes will end in disaster.

Is it possible to achieve success faster than three to five years? Yes it is. Is it likely? No it is not.

To do this either will require past experience with the multiple venues locally, and online marketing, or a very fast learner.

It is my opinion, and experts argue this point, the first six months of a new site is critical. It is my opinion that those first year can make or break the next year to come.

The work you put in for that first year will dictate how well you perform in Google due to its design.

After this any new content you put online has about a six month incubation period. It can take up to a year before it can really begin to show any serious performance.

There is nothing fast about making money anywhere.

If you can execute a plan, doing everything the right way within this first year, then you stand a chance. Yet you cannot just quit after you reach that point.

It is a continued effort that never ends. It really is a focus on consistency, quality, and momentum.

You would have to do the same things for any Amazon or Etsy like shop anyway. The same rules apply to those.

The advantage here is that you are creating your own platform with evergreen content that will forever serve you.

If you really want to advertise your products then use Google to point to your site.

Get the most out of your money by pointing to your brand and not someone else’s. It just makes sense.

What About The Makers Who Drive Down Prices?

Ignore them. They will always be there. After some time goes by you will begin to notice a trend.

They come out strong in the beginning, gain a little traction, then eventually disappear. Once they are gone you will see others have replaced them.

There is a fundamental problem with their business model. They do not have the money to compete with bigger brands. Unless they have something which is completely a niche within the market, they will not last.

When one starts out down this path you have to ask a question. What kind of work do I want to do? Is it artwork or a product? Would your work fit into an art exhibition related to your field?

If you choose to go with maker style high volume and lower quality, then you need the infrastructure and marketing cost margins to back it up.

The only other real option is to become an artist or craftsman. Do the absolute best work you can.

Focus on unique pieces that are of quality. Require a premium for your work for it is among the best out there. Additionally it is very hard for people to copy your work in this way.

Giving You Hope Not Despair

I want anyone who finds this to have hope in what they dream to accomplish. Yet you need to be able to get past all the fluff and garbage schemes.

There simply is no other way than hard work. furthering your education, and skills where you are weak. This is called artist development.

You can get to where you need or want to be. It is a choice that must be made to simply do things the right way.

I have sold work in places from Canada, to Florida, and as far West as Oregon, then all in between.

It takes time.

I have made custom pieces for members of Special Forces, and also for corporations where my work hangs in the big mans office.

It takes time.. and persistence.

I accept commissions when I want, and if I want to do the work, not because I need to. You can achieve this. It all takes time, effort, and a lot of work.

Personally I never wanted to be some big name within any organization. Its not to say that it cannot one day happen, but I certainly am not out here trying to make it so.

I have always enjoyed my little corner of the world where I can work at my pace and be with my family. I’m too introverted to put my face out there or desire it.

Yet if your dream is to be that big name it can be done. The key is not expecting it to happen quickly.

There is no one solution to the problem. There are many paths one will have to take in order to achieve the end goal and all these paths eventually converge.

What I hate is seeing new artists and craftsman that come onto the scene to get buried by the masses. They get huddled in these little corporate shops.

Here they become lost, discouraged, and in the end spend more than they make for their work. It doesn’t end well.

Stick To Your Own Kind

If a venue has makers or arts and crafts people then stay away if your work is head and shoulders above them. Create your own path.

You do not have to resort to gimmicks like fan art in order to get noticed. No tricks or games are needed.

Get within the circle of other artists. Learn from them. I know the art community can be harsh. Yet you will navigate those pitfalls.

For woodworkers stay within the tried and true local communities we already know well.

Whales do not cross the ocean with flounders. Whales swim with their own kind. Artists and craftsman should stick to their own.

In the end your wallet will thank you, and so will your clients as you learn how to find them.

The online world is just one piece of the puzzle. It may be a big piece. Yet it is not the only piece.

The web is no doubt the slowest of them all to grow into something substantial. By growing a local base where you live it makes the online world a bit easier.

Hopefully you will not be in my situation where the local community cannot help as much. Demographics for where I live required me to reach beyond my borders.

Yet this doesn’t stop me from participating where I can.

When Do You Get Noticed And Money Come?

Money will come after you have done what you love long enough, and by doing the right things you need to do.

Money is a result of who you are and good work that you do.

It is a byproduct of our work not the result of working. If you figure that out then no one will be able to stop you.