The Artists Business Lounge
Art Business Coaching for Visual Artists
How to Know When Free Art Resources Aren’t Enough for Your Growth
In 2024 it’s easier than ever to access free resources that can help you advance your art career or improve your skills. From videos and blog posts to downloadable guides and tutorials, the internet offers a wealth of free information to help you develop your craft and manage your business.
However, there comes a point when relying solely on free resources begins to feel limiting. If you’ve been piecing together fragmented information from multiple sources and still feel like you’re not making the progress you want, it may be time to ask yourself: Is it time to invest in more structured, expert guidance?
Sometimes trying harder and doing more yourself can be counter productive, and sometimes you just need to get on with things. In this post, we’ll explore how to recognise the signs that you may need to move beyond free content and start investing in your personal and professional development.
1. You Feel Overwhelmed by Conflicting Advice
One of the most common issues with free resources is that the advice can often be fragmented or contradictory. For example, you might find one blog post telling you to show your prices on your website, while another suggests hiding them and negotiating with buyers. How do you know which approach is right for you?
This situation can lead to confusion, and instead of moving forward, you might end up feeling stuck. One artist in the Success System Program shared that he had received conflicting advice from well-meaning peers—some suggested selling reproductions, while others advised against it. Without a clear direction, he was left unsure of what to do.
The problem with cobbling together advice from multiple sources is that it lacks the big picture strategy needed to create sustainable growth. If you find yourself overwhelmed by too many voices or uncertain of which direction to take, it may be a sign that you need personalised, structured guidance tailored to your unique goals.
2. You Keep Hitting the Same Roadblocks
Have you ever followed a step-by-step guide, only to find that something still isn’t working? You’ve tried tweaking your pricing, updating your social media strategy, or creating a mailing list, but your results aren’t reflecting your efforts.
This is often due to blind spots—areas of your business or mindset that you may not be fully aware of. Free resources typically offer one-size-fits-all solutions, but they don’t take into account your individual challenges. Without someone to help you identify what’s holding you back, you can end up spinning your wheels without making real progress.
In these situations, working with a coach or joining a structured programme can help. For example, in the Success System Program, we provide coaching and feedback to help artists spot their blind spots, whether it’s a mental block around valuing their work or a misunderstanding of how to approach galleries. When you receive personalised support, you can break through these barriers and start moving forward with confidence.
3. Free Resources Are Taking Up Too Much of Your Time
Another sign that it’s time to invest in your development is when you find yourself spending more time searching for solutions than actually implementing them. Piecing together advice from blog posts, videos, and guides can be incredibly time-consuming, and often, the information lacks the depth needed for meaningful growth. (Did you know there is even a term for it – procrasti-learning. It is often an issue of a lack of self belief and is a way for people to avoid doing the work they most need to do. But I digress…)
While free content can be helpful for quick tips, if you’re serious about building a long-term, sustainable art career, you need a clear, structured path. Instead of spending hours trying to patch together strategies, imagine having a comprehensive plan that lays out exactly what you need to do and when.
4. You Want More Than Just Information—You Want Accountability
Free resources can offer a lot of valuable information, but they lack one crucial element—accountability. It’s easy to get excited about a new strategy you’ve learned from a blog post or video, but without someone to check in on your progress or help you stay focused, it’s just as easy to fall behind or lose motivation.
That’s why accountability is such a key ingredient in personal and professional development. When you have regular check-ins and someone to hold you accountable, you’re far more likely to stay on track and make steady progress.
In the Success System Program, accountability is built into the process. From coaching sessions to regular group check-ins and quarterley doing days, you’ll receive the support you need to stay focused, overcome obstacles, and keep moving towards your goals.
5. You’ve Outgrown Free Content
At some point in your journey as an artist, you’ll reach a stage where free resources are no longer enough to fuel your growth. Perhaps you’ve mastered the basics, or maybe you’re looking for deeper, more comprehensive support. When you’re serious about taking your art career to the next level, it’s time to invest in your future.
Structured programmes, like the Success System Program, are designed to give you the full range of support you need to build a successful art career. From practical tools and techniques to expert guidance, these programmes offer more than just information—they provide a roadmap for your personal and professional development.
6. You Want Access to Proven Expertise
Free content is readily available, but it’s not always reliable. While anyone can publish a blog post or video, not all advice is created equal. If you’ve been following strategies that aren’t delivering results, it may be time to seek out expert guidance from professionals who have a track record of helping artists succeed.
In the Success System Program, we draw on a wealth of experience from the art world, business coaching, and life coaching. Our masterclasses cover essential topics like “The Art of Business: 10 Key Elements to Your Success”, ensuring that you’re learning from seasoned experts who understand the complexities of building a sustainable art career.
Is It Time to Invest in Your Growth?
If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to move forward, it could be a sign that it’s time to invest in your personal and professional development. While free resources are valuable for filling gaps, there comes a point when you need more—more structure, more guidance, and more accountability.
The Artist’s Business Lounge Success System Program is designed to help you reach your full potential as an artist. With personalised coaching, masterclasses, and ongoing support, you’ll have everything you need to build a thriving art career.
Are you ready to take the next step? Let’s talk about how the Success System Program can help you get there.
Amanda – October 2024
