
Now you have created a bunch of art, done your research, you know how to describe what it is you create. You can just fill your etsy shop with well-tagged art, tell people once about it, and the cash will start rolling in and your existence as an artist will be validated. Your instagram and facebook following with be in the hundreds of thousands. Your phone is blowing up with likes. You will be able to quit your day job and live off your riches.
Not so fast.
Before going in to business, you have to get your head into the business. Selling your art is a business! The next time you are out, go to a few of the stores you love. Go without the intention to buy. Just look around. Are the stores full of stuff or are the shelves all empty? Are all the people buying things? Do you see things you love that you but have no room for or can't afford but you love them still? Is not buying things in stores you LOVE in any way a reflection of the store owner's value as a human being? Do you love Target even on days you do not buy things? When you go to etsy, is there a notice on the home page saying SORRY NO MORE THINGS TO BUY? Of course not.
Here's the deal: In most cases, you will not immediately sell all your stuff. In most cases, you may not even sell one thing a week. If all the good stuff sold out every day, the stores you just visited would all be empty shelves. Keep this in perspective as you start to put your stuff up for sale or out in the world. It is possible that 3498 people might like a photo you post on instagram but still not go buy the real thing. A huge following does not equal a huge bank account.
Not making a sale is not about you or your legitimacy as an artist.
Next up: social media, tagging, followers, and what to do when nothing is moving.