What is a 'pivot' in the context of an art business?

A pivot means trying new subject matter, styles, or directions with your work based on market feedback. It comes from the startup world: you bring a product to market, learn what people want, and adjust. For artists, it means if your current subject matter isn’t selling well or faces too much competition, you try new subjects, techniques, or niches to see if you have a ‘hotter’ product. This is as important for artists making a million dollars as those making their first sale. Every great artist in history has pivoted—it’s about finding what resonates with your audience, not abandoning your fundamental style or technique.

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Asked by synthesized from teaching · Answered by Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2021-01-06