The world often views creative people, including artists, as free spirits, driven by passion and a desire to bring beauty, emotion, and meaning to life. However, when it comes to the business side of their craft, many creative professionals find themselves struggling. This disconnect is not due to a lack of intelligence or capability but rather a clash between two seemingly opposing worlds: creativity and commerce.

Creative professionals, such as artists, often operate from a place of intuition, emotion, and spontaneity. Their work is an expression of their inner world, a manifestation of deeply personal ideas. In contrast, the business world requires structure, strategy, and a focus on profitability, which can feel at odds with the artistic process. While the creative mindset thrives on freedom and exploration, the business mindset demands discipline, planning, and consistency.

A significant fear among artists is that focusing on the business side of their work will compromise their artistic integrity. The idea of turning their passion into a commercial product can feel like a betrayal of their creative essence. This fear can lead to resistance in engaging with business tasks, such as pricing work, marketing, or creating a business plan. The notion of "selling out" looms large, even when managing the business side of their art is essential for sustaining a creative career.

Many creative professionals do not receive formal education in business. Art schools and creative programs often emphasize developing technical skills and artistic expression while neglecting the practical aspects of running a business. As a result, artists may feel ill-equipped to handle tasks such as budgeting, taxes, contracts, and marketing. Without a foundation in these areas, the business side of being an artist can seem overwhelming and inaccessible.

The stereotype of the "starving artist" is pervasive in society. It perpetuates the idea that to be a true artist, one must struggle financially, and that success in business somehow diminishes artistic authenticity. This myth can discourage artists from pursuing business knowledge or seeking financial success, reinforcing the idea that art and business cannot coexist.

While the challenges are real, it's important for creative people to recognize that mastering business basics does not mean sacrificing creativity or integrity. In fact, understanding and embracing the business side of art can provide the stability and resources needed to continue creating meaningful work.

Here are a few ways artists and creative professionals can begin to bridge the gap between creativity and commerce:

1. Shift the Mindset: View business skills as tools that empower your creativity, not as constraints. By learning how to manage your art as a business, you gain the freedom to focus more on your craft without financial stress.

2. Seek Education and Support: Take advantage of resources, workshops, and courses designed for artists who want to improve their business acumen. Creativity coaching and other specialized support can help creatives succeed in the business world.

3. Start Small: Begin with simple steps, like setting up a budget, pricing your work fairly, or creating a basic marketing plan. Small, manageable actions can build confidence and lead to greater business success over time.

4. Embrace Collaboration: Partner with business-minded individuals who appreciate your art and can help you navigate the business side of things. Collaboration can ease the burden and allow you to focus on what you do best—creating.

5. Redefine Success: Understand that being a successful artist doesn’t mean compromising your values. It means finding a balance where your creativity and business skills support each other, leading to a sustainable and fulfilling career.

To help bridge the gap between creativity and commerce, I’m excited to announce a free course on Business Basics for Creative People and Artists. This course will cover essential topics like business planning, marketing, and sales skills tailored specifically for the modern artpreneur. Whether you're just starting out or looking to enhance your existing skills, this course will provide the tools and knowledge you need to succeed in the business side of your creative career.

Stay tuned for more details, and don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights that can help you turn your passion into a sustainable business.

Creative people, including artists, don’t have to struggle with business basics alone. By shifting perspectives, seeking education, and embracing the idea that art and business can coexist harmoniously, creative professionals can thrive both creatively and financially. The path to success may require learning new skills and stepping outside of comfort zones, but in doing so, artists can build a strong foundation for a lasting and impactful career.

 Business Basics: How to Build and Email List, Dealing with Trolls for Creatives, ​Creative Hierarchy of Needs,  Psychology of Creativity, Crisis of Meaning, Coaching Creative People, Mental Health and Creativity, Creative People, Creative Personality and Anxiety, Make Time for Art, A Creative Personality Snapshot, Therapy for Creatives: Creating Holistically, Therapy Skills for Creatives: Reducing Anxiety, Your Creative Life Purpose, 

It's perfectly normal for creative people to struggle with learning business skills, especially when their passion lies in expressing themselves artistically rather than dealing with numbers or marketing strategies. The world of business can feel overwhelming or even intimidating when it's not something you're used to. But remember, you're not alone in this feeling! Many artists and creatives face the same challenges. The good news is that these skills are completely learnable, and taking small steps towards understanding them can open up new opportunities for sharing your craft with others. Think of it as adding another tool to your creative toolkit—one that helps you reach more people and make a living from what you love. It’s all about balance and finding a way to integrate these skills into your unique creative journey.

As a creative coach and entrepreneur, my goal is to make business knowledge accessible and available to fellow creatives. I understand the challenges of navigating the business side of your passion, and I want to help bridge that gap. My aim is to provide the tools and guidance needed to turn your creative skills into a sustainable career. It's about empowering you to bring your unique vision into the world, so your creativity can shine and reach the audience it deserves. Together, we can transform those creative ideas into real-world successes.

I'm excited to announce a new series of blog posts called "Business Basics," where I'll be sharing essential artpreneur business skills to help you navigate the world of creative entrepreneurship. In today's post, we're diving into the topic of email marketing, a powerful tool for building and engaging with your audience. We'll cover the basics of starting an email list, growing your subscriber base, and keeping your audience engaged. Whether you're new to email marketing or looking to refine your approach, this series aims to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to effectively promote your creative work. Stay tuned for more insights and tips in the coming weeks!

To help ease some of the intimidation around business lessons, I'll be sharing insights and tips through the lens of my own journey as a creative entrepreneur. By drawing from my experiences, I aim to make these concepts more relatable and less daunting. I'll also introduce specific tools and resources that you can use to get started, so you can take practical steps toward building your creative business. This approach is designed to be supportive and encouraging, helping you navigate the business side of your passion with confidence and clarity.

Tools: HubSpot, SquareSpace, Zapier, Podia
Building my email list was a journey that evolved naturally over time, starting with a strong foundation of friends and family. These early supporters were crucial in getting the word out and provided a solid base to build upon. As I continued, I expanded my list by including current clients, who were already familiar with my work and valued my services. To reach a broader audience, I created a dedicated landing page, which served as an easy way for people to sign up and stay connected. While I will refer to Podia since it is the tool I used, there are other “landing page” sites you can try, and I’ve listed some in the Tools.  Make sure to looks at prices and features and take time to try and choose what works best for you.

Tools: LinkedIn, HeySummit
Leveraging LinkedIn played a significant role in this growth. I shared my expertise through blog posts that not only showcased my knowledge but also linked back to my website. This strategy helped to drive traffic and attract people interested in my content. My activity on LinkedIn led to invitations to speak at various online summits, which were fantastic opportunities to reach even more people.

Tools: Podia, Teachable, Thinkific, Graphy
At these summits, I utilized Podia to offer free content as lead captures, which proved to be an effective way to grow my list. Each free resource provided valuable insights and encouraged participants to subscribe for more. On my website, I also have a lead capture form for a free gift through Podia, giving visitors another incentive to join my email list. This multi-layered approach, combining personal networks, online presence, and strategic lead captures, has allowed me to build a robust and engaged email list.
​While I will refer to Podia since it is the tool I used, there are other “course” sites you can try, and I’ve listed some in the Tools.  Make sure to looks at prices and features and take time to try and choose what works best for you.

Tools: Podia, Mailchimp, ConstantContact, Brevo
​To nurture my growing email list, I use a variety of drip campaigns through Podia's email feature. This tool allows me to segment my audience using tags, which helps me tailor my communications based on their interests and engagement levels. By attaching these tags to specific drip campaigns, I can strategically guide different segments of my audience toward specific marketing goals.
​While I will refer to Podia since it is the tool I used, there are other “email” sites you can try, and I’ve listed some in the Tools.  Make sure to looks at prices and features and take time to try and choose what works best for you.

For example, some campaigns are designed to encourage more engagement with my coaching sessions, offering insights, tips, and exclusive offers to those who have shown interest in personal development. Other campaigns focus on promoting my online content, keeping subscribers informed about new blog posts, webinars, or downloadable resources that align with their interests. Additionally, I have drip campaigns aimed at encouraging subscriptions to my Podia courses, where I provide detailed information about the course content, benefits, and special promotions.

This targeted approach not only helps me provide relevant content to my subscribers but also builds stronger relationships by addressing their specific needs and interests. By nurturing my email list in this way, I can effectively support my audience while also achieving my business goals.

In conclusion, building and engaging an email audience is a crucial step in growing your creative business. By starting with a foundation of supporters and expanding through targeted strategies, you can cultivate a dedicated community around your work. Through email marketing, you have the opportunity to share your unique voice, keep your audience informed, and offer value that resonates with them. Remember, this process is a journey, and it's okay to learn and adapt as you go. With the insights, tips, and tools provided, you're well-equipped to start or enhance your email marketing efforts, turning your creative passion into a sustainable venture. Stay tuned for more in the "Business Basics" series, where we'll continue to explore essential skills for artpreneurs.

Dealing with Trolls for Creatives, ​Creative Hierarchy of Needs,  Psychology of Creativity, Crisis of Meaning, Coaching Creative People, Mental Health and Creativity, Creative People, Creative Personality and Anxiety, Make Time for Art, A Creative Personality Snapshot, Therapy for Creatives: Creating Holistically, Therapy Skills for Creatives: Reducing Anxiety, Your Creative Life Purpose, 3 Steps for Creatives During a Crisis

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