Dear Artists: Don't Get Downplayed

When I watched my wife go through the motions of running her baking business, I gave her a lot of business advice.

But damn...

Not once was I able to imagine how I would feel and what I would have done if I were ever in one of her sticky business situations.

Especially when someone downplays your craft.

Today, a client didn't want to pay for extra artwork. I was even guilt-tripped with:

"There were times when I didn't collect for stuff I've provided you too. If I'm going to get charged for every little thing, I'm not down with that. Just saying....." (with all those periods).

LISTEN UP:

As a business owner, any FREE thing you provide to clients is considered UNCONDITIONAL. If there WAS a condition to it, then it would be called a TRADE. If you bring up old favors just because you don't want to pay for a service, then THAT is manipulation.

TO ALL MY ARTISTS:

If you are monetizing your artwork, your ideal customer SHOULD respect you as a business owner as well as the artistry you provide.

If you price yourself at a certain price point and you understand how much your skill is worth, don't back down. If the client is asking for your services, you clearly have something they want.

Artwork.

I've met so many talented artists who refused to monetize their craft because of the fear of being disrespected by clients. I've even met artists who have been disrespected by clients and quit because of one/ a couple of bad experience(s).

If you want to monetize your artwork, getting burned by clients comes with the territory. In essence, you're in the business of entrepreneurship. You must learn how to take some losses and continue to push forward. And that's definitely not the easiest thing to do.

As artists, we need to respect ourselves, the talents that we have, and the skill levels we are at to move forward and make art our career.

To all those who don't respect you and your craft?

Turn 'em into content, baby! ;-)

Dear artist,

You can do it. It's possible to live your dream of being an artist. You can make a living off of your art. Because even if someone is doing the same thing you're doing, they'll never pull it off like you will because they aren't you. There is only one YOU, which means YOU are the only one who can pull it off the way YOU will.

Good luck artist. May you travel the journey of making art your full-time career!

And if you ever need to chat it up, DM me on Instagram @fredlalas

-Fred Lalas