Strength in numbers
We all know about the importance of being part of an art community for support as an artist, and the importance of customer/client support to keep us going.
That said, some of the best support I’ve gotten didn’t come from other artists or even my clients.
Some of the best support I’ve gotten came from small business owners who know what it’s like to do it tough, and generously offered me a helping hand.
I couldn’t have made it through (wouldn’t be making it through now) without the help, past and ongoing, of these other people.
The gift store owner who let me hang my work on consignment.
Or the couple that owns the new age store in a nearby town and took a chance on buying my earliest work.
The woman who bought out my entire inventory one day, for sale through her small retail outlet, the friend who let me order jewellery from her store and pay in barter, the café owner who put my paintings on her wall and my business cards on her front counter….there’s a long list, but the important thing to note?
All these people were trying to make their own small businesses work too.
They were in the same boat as me.
Sure, of them had first class tickets and I was in the hull of the ship, rolling around with the fish guts and empty rum barrels, but still, my point remains:
It would have been ridiculously easy for any of these people to tell me to walk the plank (What? You don’t want to keep running with this boat theme? But pirates are fun!) and yet, to my surprise, I found so many small businesses (especially local ones) were prepared to give me a go.
And in turn, I think it only fair to be supportive back.
Not to mention a sound business decision!
Realistically, anybody wanting to hang art on their walls could go to Big W and pick up a mass-printed canvas for $30 or so and leave me out of a job. They could pick up any gifts they wanted while they were there, some mass produced silver-toned jewellery and hell, maybe some new age books and clothes and why bother going anywhere else? It’s all right here!
Luckily, there are still people out there who value things that aren’t mass produced, and are willing to pay for something unique or well crafted. And from a shop owner who knows what they sell, and knows their customers, and who takes pride in what they do.
Sadly, in many ways, it’s a niche market.
Every day hordes of people flock to buy cheap, made in bulk options.
Sometimes it’s a wonder small businesses, craftsmen and artists survive.
I guess many don’t.
So the best thing I think we can do to keep ourselves afloat and help keep each other’s dreams of working for yourself alive?
Support each other.
Make friends with other small businesses.
And when a client wants something you can’t provide?
Refer them.
Talk up other small businesses and freelances and sole traders.
Sharing customers won’t loose you business.
In fact, it’ll widen the pool.
Strike up deals with other small business owners.
Sell to each other at reduced costs to save both of you money.
Figure out barter systems.
Encourage each other.
Share relevant information.
Essentially, do what you can to make each other’s lives easier.
Because making your own living like that is hard.
But it’s so much easier when you know you have the support of other people who know what it’s like.
Repay the support given to you! And pay it forward to others who need it.
And to the people, the businesses, the freelancers, the designers, the other artists – all of you who are going it alone too, and have still found it in you to help me out as well?
Yarrr, an enormous thankye me hearties.
I would no nay ne’er ‘ave made it without ye!
Tags: art, Art and illustration, Clients, excellent, help, something to think about, thankyou, work, worry
