Starting a Freelance Artist Business

Summary: Generally art is a product of human activity, made with the intention of stimulating the human senses as well as the human mind; by transmitting emotions and/or ideas. Art is also able to illustrate abstract thought and its expressions can elicit previously hidden emotions in its audience. Marketing this as a freelance artist business is another cup of tea which needs meticulous planning and diligent action.

The trick to freelance artist business is to think like a businessperson, not a fine artist.

you are and what you have to sell. Learn how to sell, read, and absorb as much marketing knowledge as possible.

• Join many clubs and organizations. Think that your art business is a business not a hobby. Just get your name out there, and do it as cheaply as possible. Word travels fast if you're good as a freelance artist. Attend functions, luncheons, fairs, whatever fits your niche in the world. Get to know others.
• Put out quality art products. To stand out you must be a class act and so must your art products.
• Have a budget and stick to it. Don't get extravagant with spending or you'll end up broke.
• Paying for a separate art studio is great if you are independently wealthy; if you aren't, having one room of your living space for your art is best.
• Promote other artists, and they will in turn promote you. They will spread the word about your artistic prowess to others, and it's amazing how fast good news travels.
• If you aren't fully self-supporting, get a side job. It's part of paying your dues. If possible give private lessons. Some of the prospective art clients might come through teaching.
• Be picky about art assignments. Don't accept anything that comes along. This keeps your standard of work high and uncompromised.
• Quick Definition of Freelancing: A freelancer is an independent person who sells services to different clients without having a long term contract with any of them. Freelance workers are self-employed. But they don't own a store like a merchant, a professional office, like a doctor or lawyer, or a salon like a hairstylist.
• More often than not, freelancers work on creative projects. There are a couple reasons for this. Many creative jobs are solitary pursuits, easily conducted behind the closed doors of a home.
• The fruit of many creative jobs is an intellectual or creative “product” that can easily be sent to a client with the click of a mouse.

Admittedly, freelance artist business carries a certain allure. There’s something very attractive about deciding when you will and will not work. However there are as many hardships as luxuries in this line of work. The life of any freelance artist is fraught with uncertainty as they may not know where their next art assignment may come from.