How do I overcome self-doubt and fear of promoting my own work?

Self-doubt and fear of rejection are huge problems for artists. Many artists say they could promote someone else’s work endlessly but find promoting their own work embarrassing. The answer is simple but not easy: don’t think about it, just get on with it. Take it one step at a time. You need to develop thick skin. There’s no other way if you want to make it in today’s environment. You’re going to have to suffer a little bit—artists and creatives don’t want to do this marketing work, just like most people don’t want to go to the gym. But the alternative is worse: waking up at 90 years old still trying to figure out how to sell your work. It’s worth putting in the work to build the business because you’re not going to stop creating anyway.

---

Asked by a painter from London struggling with self-promotion · Answered by Patrick · Art Business Webinar · 2026-06-05