What bigger problem should I address if I'm missing basic business fundamentals?

If you’re missing foundational elements like having product samples or understanding basic merchandising, your real problem isn’t tactical—it’s the information and guidance you’re receiving. You need to audit your entire situation. A business is a machine that produces outcomes, and your job is to build that machine. If your machine is broken, changing small tactical elements (like which email service you use or what time you post) won’t fix it. You’re essentially swapping screws on a broken machine. Look at who surrounds you: in business, you’re the average of the five people closest to you. Are you surrounded by artists who’ve sold over $50,000-100,000 per year? Are you working with anyone who’s actually achieved these results? If not, you’re operating on an island without proper guidance. Solve this larger problem by finding qualified help—hire a consultant, join a community of successful artists, or get real business coaching. Otherwise, you’ll keep getting the same results.

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Asked by synthesized-from-teaching · Answered by Nick and Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2020-09-02