What should I do when I feel burned out or like giving up because sales are slow?

Understand that building an art business is a marathon, not a sprint. It realistically takes three to five years of consistent effort to build a serious, sustainable business—that’s true of almost any business. You’ll hit low points where sales slow and motivation dips, but quitting during those times means you might walk away right before a breakthrough. Think of it like a slot machine: you don’t know which pull will pay off, but if you stop, someone else gets the win. Stay consistent, keep showing up, and keep doing the work. Look for small signs of progress over months, not days. Those early sales, even small ones, refill your emotional reserves and keep you going. Pace yourself, manage expectations, and remember that slow, steady growth builds a foundation that lasts.

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Asked by artists struggling with slow periods · Answered by Patrick Shanahan and Hava Gurevich · art-marketing-podcast · 2024-06-28