How long should I expect it to take before my art business becomes successful?

Set your expectations for five to ten years. This is the standard entrepreneurial timeline, and art businesses are no exception. You might see breakthrough success in year seven or eight. You may grind for four years with minimal results and then become hugely successful in year five. The key is understanding this timeline upfront so you’re not discouraged when you’re not selling heavily in your first year or two. Every artist has their own unique journey based on their intelligence, background, decision-making, effort, and how they apply guidance. But if you keep costs low, keep testing new approaches, and don’t quit, you will eventually find success. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

---

Asked by a new artist starting out · Answered by Nick Friend and Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2024-02-20