A common myth about having an Art Business versus having a Hobby

I come across it so often. At first glance, it seems reasonable enough but frankly, it’s an empty statement and it is thoughtless. 

It’s the kind of statement that gets thrown off with no regard for the negative impact it has on artists who perhaps have not been making sufficient sales, or any sales, despite making wonderful, inventive, beautiful, interesting, stimulating [insert the adjective] work.  Despite their best efforts and despite any desire they have to make sales. It’s not as if they aren’t trying!

The extension of the ‘you don’t have a business, you have a hobby’ view is that making sales is the ONLY thing that matters when you have a business (and even that making sales automatically means you are a professional artist no matter what).

It also makes sales rather than profit THE measure (even though profit is way more important a measure and I have seen plenty of artists make sales and lose money – a topic for another day perhaps).

It doesn’t take into account anything else AND it’s a tad judgemental.

But most of all it’s just plain unhelpful – Who is a statement like that supposed to help and motivate? Anyone? I don’t think so!

Personally, I think statements like that further entrench a very unhelpful art + money don’t mix myth and it ignores a few important things. 

Here goes…⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

4) Here in Australia, the Tax Office (ATO) many years ago recognised that making sales is NOT the determinant of whether an artist is a professional or a hobbyist. An INTENT to make a profit IS one factor they take into account but there is much more to it than that.

And why might that be?

• Because perhaps you simply don’t know how – and that’s no big deal because once upon a time you didn’t know how to make your art or tie shoelaces and you can learn. #alwayslearning
• Perhaps you don’t know what’s missing from your efforts, because you work darn hard and make fabulous work and show up where you believe you are supposed to. But you don’t know what you don’t know YET, but you can learn.

I want all artists to earn a living. If you don’t have a profitable business it is very likely that there are business activities you are missing out on and you have some gaps to fill. #simple But to fill those gaps you need to know what a profitable business (yes even a business as an artist) requires so you can take meaningful and worthwhile action. 

If you want to be making profitable sales and you aren’t, it is business activity gaps and these can be filled when you know what they are.

Want to work out where your gaps might be?

Why don’t you try the quiz below? It’s free, it’s not definitive (though fair warning it IS a little on the long side) It will give you a good indication of the sorts of things a profitable [artists] business does. 

You’ll receive a result and recommendations as well as a link to download the questions (because it’s not like you’ll memorise the quiz) so you will be able to take action straight away. #yourewelcome

If you are interested in exploring support to make changes get in touch for a complimentary chat – details below quiz.

(Note: If your intention as an artist is not to have a profitable art business because your finances are otherwise covered, that’s totally OK. Please carry on)