When my art isn't selling, does that mean I'm not good enough or should give up?

No. The lack of sales or tepid response is not criticism of you or your talent—it’s just part of the process and a normal stepping stone on the entrepreneurial journey. Most artists mistakenly internalize poor sales as proof they lack skill, or they blame external factors like the economy, competition, or their tools. The real issue is usually that you haven’t yet found the right market fit. Rejection and slow sales are not a death knell; they’re signals that you need to pivot your approach. Grit, determination, and not taking no for an answer are essential to succeeding as an artist.

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Asked by an artist struggling with sales · Answered by Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2021-01-22