Would you like to take your art business to the next level? In this post, discover how artists can grow their art business by teaching online.
There are many ways artists can supplement their income. While you are waiting for your original drawings or original paintings to sell you could be selling prints, greeting cards, take on commissions, use affiliate links in your artist blog or YouTube channel, write eBooks or even create courses. There are endless opportunities waiting for you.
How Artists Can Grow Their Art Business by Teaching Online
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I started selling my art online over 15 years ago. Needless to say, the marketing strategies were different back then. Ar that time there was not a lot of artists selling art online and shopping online was relatively new. It was fairly easy for me to generate traffic to my website.
Today the competition is fierce. It is tough for artists to be noticed online with the amount of content being published on a daily basis. But with hard work, patience and being consistent you can build a large following and generate a good income selling art online.
I would like to start by saying, we are lucky to be artists today. We have the opportunity to sell our artwork at local shops, craft shows, galleries and to people all around the world via the internet.
Even though we have many ways we can sell our art, there will still be times when sales are slower than we would hope for.
The good news is that there are many opportunities for artists to supplement their income.
One way many artists including me are generating extra revenue is by teaching online. This helps to take some of the pressure off when sales are slow.
Here are some examples of different ways you can teach online.
- Write blog posts.
- Create YouTube videos.
- Create podcasts.
- Write eBooks.
- Create online courses.
Create Online Courses
I have built a successful business by selling art online as well as teaching artists how to start, grow and monetize an online art business.
You can do the same thing.
The first step is to decide what you would like to teach.
The second step is to develop a course or multiple courses relating to the topic you will be covering.
The third step is to decide on how you will be delivering the content to your students.
What Should You Teach
There are many topics you can teach that people are willing to pay for.
When you are thinking about what you should teach, think about the things that come easily to you that might be difficult for others.
One of my strengths is the business side of being an artist. My grandfather and father were both self-employed and owned their own business. I learned by watching them as I was growing up.
Another strength of mine is being organized. Being organized has helped me to accomplish more in less time.
What are some of your strengths?
What comes easily to you that is difficult for others?
When you are deciding on what you would like to teach make sure that it is something you have a passion for.
I love to coach people as much as I love to create art. Besides being an artist I also instruct guitar, bass, and Ukulele. I have instructed thousands of people over the past thirty years and watched them grow right before my eyes. That is my passion, to help others live their dreams just like I am.
What is your passion?
Here are some ideas to help get you started:
- Painting
- Drawing
- Photoshop
- Photography
- Creating videos
- Organizing tips
- Creating crafts
- Managing your time
- Marketing
That Course Is Being Taught
You might be thinking that there are people already teaching what you would like to teach. That is ok, competition is good.
Let’s look at it this way.
How many Italian restaurants are in your area?
How many companies are selling ice-cream?
How many brands of paint are there?
What about Pepsi and Coke?
You can see where I am going with this.
Yes, there are thousands of people teaching how to paint. But every instructor has a different way to teach. They communicate differently. They have a different style and technique. They connect to different people.
There is an audience for everyone.
So do not think that there is too much competition. There are people waiting to learn what you have to teach. You just have to create the courses and find them.
Where To Sell Online Courses
Just like we have seen the Print on Demand business grow in front of our eyes, platforms for online courses are also starting to pop up everywhere.
I took about a year researching different ways to sell courses online. I knew that I wanted to sell courses individually as well as a membership program. I finally stumbled on Thinkific (affiliate link).
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I use Thinkific (affiliate link) because it allows me to do everything I envision. I can sell video courses, PDFs, eBooks, create tests, offer worksheets and the list goes on. What won me over was how easy their platform is to use. It only took me a few minutes to learn how to upload my first course.
Tips on Creating Courses
Creating courses is just like building a successful art blog.
Here are the steps you will want to take:
- Make sure you have a passion for what you want to teach.
- Be organized and have a plan.
- Be professional.
- Create structured Courses.
- Make the content easy to understand and do not leave any details out. They are there to learn. Assume that they do not know anything about the subject you are teaching.
- Provide action steps.
- Stay true to your brand.
Conclusion:
Now that you know how artists can grow their art business by teaching online it is time to take action.
Start developing a plan so you can generate extra money while you are waiting for your artwork to sell.
You might also be interested in:
- Best Way to Sell Art Online – Effective Strategies
- Art That Sells – What Artists Need to Know
- New Art Business Printable Planners
- 7 Important Things Art Bloggers Need to Know
- Where to Sell Art Online – How to Get Started
28 Day Blogging Challenge for Visual Artists
Are you ready to start building an online presence?
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Get More Done in Less Time The Part-time Artist
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