Should I build my art business relying on third-party platforms like galleries, Saatchi Art, Fine Art America, or Etsy?

No. Building your business with reliance on third parties—whether physical galleries or online marketplaces—is building on sand. You can’t control third-party distribution in any industry. Eventually, the rug gets pulled out from under you because you don’t own the customer relationships, the email list, or the control. This is the core source of the starving artist problem. Instead, focus on direct sales where you own your distribution, customer list, and all your assets. Treat third-party sales as gravy, not the foundation—aim for at least 70-80% of your business to be direct sales you control.

---

Asked by an artist evaluating business strategy · Answered by Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2020-06-16