How should I think about 'luck' in building my art business?

There’s a difference between dumb luck and luck that comes as a residue of execution. Dumb luck is random chance, like winning a slot machine. But most ‘lucky breaks’ in your business happen because you’re consistently putting yourself out there—doing shows, posting on social media, networking, following up with contacts, trying new approaches. When you execute consistently, you create opportunities for luck to find you. You have to be prepared for opportunities when they arrive, because if you’re not ready, they’ll pass by unnoticed. The artist who seems lucky is usually the one who’s been grinding, showing up, and creating multiple touchpoints where opportunities can surface. Cast a wide net and stay ready, and ‘luck’ will come your way.

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Asked by an artist attributing others’ success to luck · Answered by Patrick Shanahan and Derek Emge · art-marketing-podcast · 2024-09-06