Finding the means of making a living with your art all depends on you. There are two types of businesses that you are probably not aware of. There's the 'need' and there's the 'want.' In simpler terms, a 'want' is something you don't really need; it's something others have that drives your desire to have it, even if there's no particular purpose for the item, except for sentimental reasons. But it all depends on whether you're in it for the value, or if it looks good in your house and makes you feel good/happy. On the other hand, the 'need' is something that is a lot easier to sell because you actually 'need' it. For example, your window is broken, so you 'need' a replacement because you don't want cold air or intruders venturing into your home or stay. Another example is food, tires for your car, a bus ticket, clothes, healthcare, etc. So, whenever you are trying to sell a 'want,' it's never easy unless you're famous or others who have it make others who don't have it want to buy it. Here's a fine example: jewelry. Do you really need it? A sentimental or historical piece that's a hand-me-down from your family generations can be a good reason for wanting it. But the clever retail businesses that sell imitations or the real deal use flashy commercial advertising, incorporating other avenues like the rich and famous, which drives people to think they need it. Anyway, that's only one example, and there are too many to mention out there that use advertising on a higher level to drive people into wanting something they don't really need. In the art side of things, another way to sell a 'want' is to combine it with a 'need.' For example, a drinking glass with an art piece etched on the glass, or the art is a piece of advertising on the packaging that's holding the glasses. Designer cat collars, shoes, and other forms of art that everyone needs, designer quilts and blankets for your bed, are plenty of examples if you look around. Art is more than just a painting, but if you really look around, art is the building blocks to everything you see. Everything has been created, and to create is a form of art. When it comes to art as it stands or as it is, it's never easy to sell, as not everyone 'wants' a painting or a piece of sculpture. If you're starting out for the first time, you really need to do more than just art if you want to make a living from it. So, I will try my best to write everything to help you understand the things you will need to do.

1. Find your niche:

What do you most enjoy doing because it's something you will be doing all the time, and it will be your trademark as an individual? People will see you for the type of art you do or what your interests are. You may want to make health products or maybe be a tailor. So, it's very important to first find your niche in what your strongest talent is.

2. Doing a business course:

Doing a business course really helps you understand the makeup of how a professional business works, especially if you are wanting to expand your horizons by expanding with others or keeping it in order in helping you grow. I did a 15-week business course many years ago, and it certainly was a good aid to have in keeping an understanding of what is the right thing to do and what isn't.

3. My examples are focused mainly on the art side:

When creating art, make sure to be different so you stand out from the others. Don't try to copy what others are doing unless you know what you are doing. Having competition can be a good thing, as it makes people aware that there are other options, but it could be a bad idea as price wars aren't fun, especially when you're trying to make a living. So, if you can be different, that would be a better idea.

4. When is it a good time to advertise yourself?

Telling your friends or neighbors could be a good start. Social media is another way, but make sure you are all prepared and ready. It's not a good thing if you make people wait, as they might give up on you. To my experience, it's best not to tell anyone your ideas or your business unless you're really ready to operate for the public.

5. Pricing is another avenue that needs to be addressed:

Always do a break-even point first. A break-even point is all your costs to make one product. Most would normally take a figure from their head or see what others are selling their products for, but do you know that they might have bought their canvas or paints from a wholesale store, not a retail store, or they might have no rental workshop monthly expenses? So you will need to work out all your expenses. For example, one acrylic painting on a 100 x 700CM canvas. Cost of canvas, paints, your time in drawing and painting the picture, time spent traveling to your location to the art store, rental charges per hour, delivery costs, petrol cost from A to B if you have a car, home office expenses like power, phone, and kitchen - coffee, tea. So there's more to it than meets the eye. Once you have worked out your break-even point, then you can add your profit. Always remember to never exceed your profits from your earlier stages of your business until you are popular or your product is one of a kind and it has the potential of being a 'need.' Once you have expanded, you may consider employing staff, and that's another reason why it's important to do a business course.

6. What are my thoughts on copyright?

Once you come up with a good idea, keep a personal record of everything you do, such as a new art idea, by taking photos, dating everything, and making sure everyone knows that you are the creator. Create a website or Instagram by adding your arts as they will be created with a date. If you need to go to court, it will be very difficult for them to convince the judge that it's their idea when yours is dated beforehand. So being unique and making your art pieces visible to the people seals you to your creations. And once you sign your works, they are automatically copyrighted by you as the artist. Paying a company to do this is another story and another expense. So the more exposure you do with your new art pieces, the better. Maybe authorizing yourself on social media can be another way of protecting your creative ideas. Another way I do it is to make my arts unique by adding my personal touch as no one can copy that. It's like a fingerprint. It's who you are as an individual. Putting your personal touch to your art pieces personalizes them as you as the artist. That's why all artists are never the same. So don't try to be someone else because it never works, and it could get you in a lot of trouble. You need to be imaginative, and anyway, why would you want to? I guess if people are in it for only the money, then you're not an artist. I know we need money to live.That's why artists have galleries that do that side of the business for them so artists can enjoy being artists. Almost forgot, if you are selling your arts in a gallery, this helps in a big way to advertise you as an artist and your arts. I could talk for hours on this subject, but these writings are only ideas, so please use them as they could help you, as they did for me, when I was self employed.

7. Making sure your products are of good quality:

To stand out is to be different. When I first started doing art, from my younger days, I was so intrigued that I was able to create a piece of art from thin air. I went through college doing art, eventually spending 32 years of my life as a glass sandblasting artist. On one of my posts, I've been adding my sandblasting jobs that I've done throughout the years. It's going to be a long process, because of all of the material I still need to add in. 'New Zealand Glass Artist Darren Burch.' So writing or doing a blog about your art career or business will not only be your personal CV but a historical pinpoint of your life achievements and a testament to your accomplishments. And your customers will like that, as this will form a trust with you and to anyone they see you do as an artist.

8. The biggest problem I had:

The biggest problem I had with some of my projects was I tended to drift off, to something different. It could be a good idea, but it could get messy and may start to look unprofessional. If your product is to put art on glasses, then doing different patterns on glasses would be okay. Makes your customers look out for new ideas. And because it's glassware, you could do the same for glass bowls. And because it's a 'need' or 'want,' then it shouldn't be too hard to sell. But if you branch off doing something completely different like water blasting your house or painting and decorating, this will not only make you tired, it will confuse your customers and make your business look unprofessional. So try and focus on one subject, even if you have more that are different, then keep them related, if you know what I mean.

9. People skills:

This is one thing most people don't have, so be patient and polite to everyone, even if they do agitate you during a sale or being criticized. And most don't like that, especially when they put all their heart and soul into a piece of art. On the other hand, when I'm the buyer, I'm never judgmental or criticize anyone's art, as we are all uniquely different. What others don't like, others may like. So it all comes down to your customer's criteria, as not everyone is the same. But when someone has a positive input or an idea, I'm always listening. They say it's best to listen than it is to speak, so when it comes to learning from others who may help you, always be open-minded to but in an instructive way.

10. Lifelong learning:

I've been doing art all my life, and I'm still learning, even today. It's amazing to discover new things that I've never seen before. So when it comes to improving your ideas to create better products, it's always beneficial to do some research. For example, if your product is taking too long to make, you're getting tired of doing the same thing repeatedly, or your competitors are offering similar products at a lower cost, and you don't want to lower your profits, consider finding a more efficient way to create the same product without compromising its quality or appearance. Sometimes a price war is something you want to avoid, but if your competitors initiate it, finding a new way to create the same product at a better cost to you without affecting its visual appeal would work in your favor. Making your product more appealing to buyers at a lower cost, without reducing your profit margin, is a win-win strategy.

11. Effective advertising:

I believe I mentioned this before, but it's worth emphasizing. Effective advertising can significantly help your business, but it's crucial that you invest in the right kind of advertising. You don't want to pour your hard-earned money into an advertising campaign that doesn't yield results. Before diving in, conduct thorough research and take your time to plan your advertising strategy. Consider options like mailbox flyers, business cards, and a website, depending on your location. Starting a business is often free, and registering your company or limited company with your local government can be a responsible step. Maintaining your registration typically involves an annual fee, so weigh your commitment to your business and your desire to establish trust with potential customers by having a registered company.

12. Effective sales strategies:

The best way to sell your products is often by not pressuring potential retail or local market customers. Instead, present them with something genuinely unique and different that piques their interest. Provide them with brochures or any information you can offer and let their curiosity take its course. Expect them to reach out through phone calls or emails for orders. Transparency is key; be clear about your pricing and any associated delivery costs. Offering free delivery can be a compelling option to capture their interest. Remember to calculate your break-even point and factor in a percentage to cover your delivery expenses. If one retail shop begins selling your products, others are likely to follow suit. Be prepared with a sales agreement in your invoices in case payment issues arise. Additionally, communicate that payment is due within two weeks or upon delivery. Trust is essential in these transactions, and your ability to gauge your clients' trustworthiness is invaluable. People skills become particularly important in these interactions.

13. Building a customer base:

Create a mailing list to keep your regular customers informed about new products available on your website. Additionally, consider developing a database of both local and out-of-town customers to refine your advertising efforts based on location.

14. Continuous improvement:

Continue enhancing your art skills by exploring different avenues. Participate in community art classes to gain visibility among those who might not be familiar with your work. Open market days can serve as excellent platforms to showcase your art products. Consider creating certificates of authenticity, which can enhance the appeal of your products. Research local markets and create a schedule for your participation.

15. Employee development:

If you are expanding your business, offering staff training can be crucial. Encourage their growth by providing opportunities for career advancement within your company, such as offering training courses or supporting them in obtaining essential certifications, such as first aid training or driver's licenses for delivery purposes.

16. Separating business and personal relationships:

A critical lesson is to avoid mixing business with personal relationships. While some say it's not advisable to employ friends or family members, it ultimately depends on the dynamics of your relationships. Be cautious and maintain open communication. If issues arise, address them promptly and directly without letting them fester and potentially harm your personal relationship or your business. Drawing up clear contracts with rules can help manage expectations and responsibilities.

17. Enjoyment and resilience:

At the end of the day, whether your art career starts on a small or large scale, it should be about having fun. I understand that it can get stressful, and you might wonder why you're doing it at times. Keep in mind that starting any business typically takes about three years to gain traction. Building trust with your clients is a gradual process, especially if they are supplying you with materials for your art. Be confident that things will work out in the end. Avoid squandering your hard-earned money on ventures that won't bring returns. I've had 32 years of experience as a glass artist and have managed two art glass businesses that expanded over 18 years. Not all stories were successful. I've learned from both my successes and failures. It's been a roller coaster with its share of ups and downs. I no longer operate my glass business or engage in glass art sandblasting. Starting over, like you are doing, is a fresh challenge, especially in a new country with a different language. Learning new skills abroad presents its unique challenges. Be grateful for the opportunities to learn and adapt, just as I have been. The advice I've shared is based on my experiences, aimed at helping you make fewer mistakes on your journey. Before I go, I want to express my gratitude to all of you for reading this. My name is Darren Burch, and I'm a New Zealand cultural artist."

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