What's a smart waitlist strategy that won't overwhelm me?

Keep waitlists short and manageable. If you open unlimited spots, you can end up with years of backlog that becomes unsustainable. Instead, limit the list to what you can reasonably complete in a few months. Also, set clear expectations upfront: customers sign up not knowing exactly what they’ll get (like specific colors or details) unless you specifically ask them. This approach reduces the custom-work burden while still offering exclusive access. And critically, raise your prices significantly if demand is high—potentially double or triple your current rates.

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Asked by an artist overwhelmed by commission demand · Answered by Brit Reed and Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2025-02-18