Making The Transition From Creative To Business Owner

The opportunity to start a business from scratch and to work in a field that you’re passionate about is something that every young creative dream of. However, it doesn’t have to be a dream. Creatives, from artists to writers to musicians, are as much a part of the fabric of the professional world as anyone else. However, if you’re looking to really make some money and turn your creative outputs into a career, then you need to start thinking about it a little differently.

Learn the fundamentals of running a business

First of all, you have to come to the realization that you’re not just running a creative outlet, you are running a business. You’re going to have costs to consider, growth goals to meet, and a business plan to put together. Get organized about how you manage your resources and track your costs to make sure that you’re getting into offering your services with the right mindset.

Work out how to sell your creativity

If you’re looking to turn your creativity into a business, then it’s not likely that you’re releasing it directly to the consumer, as a director would release a film in the cinema. So, you need to find a way to monetize your creativity. You might want to think about how individuals and businesses utilize creative output in their own businesses or projects. For instance, you can look at Ieva Baranova and her list of ways illustrators and artists can make money. If you have a talent broad enough, you can even sell it in multiple different ways, but finding a niche for yourself can make for some good business sense.

Marketing from a creative and cultural standpoint

If you’re looking to sell your creative output, then you have to learn that the “selling” part is just as important as the “creative output” part. Marketing is going to play a huge role in driving clients and building a brand that makes you seem like a provider that others want to work with. You can look at marketing experts in the artistic field like Frederica Wald and take to heart the tips that they publish. Marketing is a creative exploit as well, requiring ingenuity to find the right way to get to the heart of why clients want or need your services.

Building a professional network

Creatives are often pretty great at networking with other creatives. However, it’s not other creatives that are going to be paying you for your work. Artwork Archives can provide advice and tips on how you can network professionally as an artist. You need to get yourself in the same space as your clients, with an intention to connect, rather than to sell, making sure that you bring a business card that links to your site or portfolio. Networking is all about engaging on the same level as those you’re talking to, not marketing at them, however.

Creative services are services, just like any other, and they can be valued, sold, and used to make a living. Just make sure that you work to keep that passion there, as well.

Image Credit/Pic - CC0 License