-
The ten best business books for artists and makers I read in 2020
Read more: The ten best business books for artists and makers I read in 2020Last year, I shared a round-up of the best business books I read (or listened to) in 2019, and I decided it’s something I want to make an annual tradition here on Designing an MBA. Truth be told, when the pandemic started, I really thought I was going to read ALL the books. But it…
-
Five reasons you’re not selling as much of your art (or craft) as you’d like to be
Read more: Five reasons you’re not selling as much of your art (or craft) as you’d like to beHigher prices are not the reason your work isn’t selling. The other week, I wrote about contradictions. Well here’s another one that plagues artists – you price your work at an appropriate level so that you are not exploiting your own labor, but then your work isn’t selling, so you end up not making money…
-
The antidote to consumerism is art.
Read more: The antidote to consumerism is art.Or why you should be shouting from the rooftops on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. (Whether you’re having a sale or not.) We’re just eight days away from the start of Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend, and rather than giving you tips for how to have a successful sale or promote your online store that weekend,…
-
Critical Pragmatism, or how to survive as an anti-capitalist artist or maker in a capitalist system
Read more: Critical Pragmatism, or how to survive as an anti-capitalist artist or maker in a capitalist systemOn the day after the election, when we still weren’t sure what the outcome would be, I was having a casual text message conversation with a friend about Marxism and the refusal of work. (Like I said, casual.) “Are you becoming anti-capitalist?” she asked. “Because I think I am, but I’m not sure how to…
-
The economics of art (and craft) and why you shouldn’t feel guilty about the prices you need to charge to make a living.
Read more: The economics of art (and craft) and why you shouldn’t feel guilty about the prices you need to charge to make a living.The other day, I popped into Michael’s to look for something quickly, and was totally overwhelmed by the sheer amount of crap that people were buying. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been in a big box store since the pandemic started, and this most recent trip reminded me that…
-
What does your ideal day look like as an artist and creative business owner?
Read more: What does your ideal day look like as an artist and creative business owner?I know that when you’re in the middle of trying to grow your creative business, it can be really hard to step back and take a look at the big picture. Even more so now that the pandemic has disrupted the day to day for so many of us. But ultimately, if you want to…