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ICYMI Vol 7: 10 Easy Reads to Master Art Business

At HUG, our focus from the start has always been to help artists become creative entrepreneurs through technology, discovery, and education… and we are officially 70 articles deep with covering those very topics! Don’t worry, we’ve still got plenty to talk about.

Lately, we’ve been leaning in on art business and how to get serious with making your first sale or making a sustainable living from your craft, especially with how easily you can do that in your very own HUG Artist Storefront.

Keep scrolling for a crash course in creative business.

Check out our prior recaps here - Vol 1, Vol 2, Vol 3, Vol 4, Vol 5, and Vol 6.

#061: An Artist & Art Lover's Guide to Farcaster

HUG Co-founder Debbie Soon gives an introductory overview to Farcaster - a decentralized social protocol - for artists and art lovers who are curious about blockchain technology and how it could shape the future of social networks and community building.

#062: The Pros & Cons to Embrace or Reject AI Art

For every person thrilled about the accessibility of generative AI, there is another who feels threatened by its adoption. No matter which side of the debate you stand on, this article seeks to empower you to understand every perspective and make the best decision for yourself.

#063: 3 Ways To Get Creative with Procreate

In the world of digital art, few tools have garnered as much acclaim and enthusiasm as Procreate. Designed exclusively for iPads, this portable and versatile app empowers novices and experienced artists alike. Artists like Leah Ibrahim Sams have turned this tool into an essential part of their creative career, and she’s here to give you the technical advice you need to do the same.

#064: 7 Tips to Increase Your Income Through Commissions

Selling your work is just as much of an art form as creating it, and commissions come with the added complexity of working with a new or returning client. Learn to master this age-old craft of art and relationships from Sara Baumann, whose experience with commissions for luxury goods and custom paintings make up a predominant part of her creative practice.

#065: 3 Things You NEED to do to Increase Art Sales

Learning how to sell your art requires just as much skill and practice as learning how to create it does. Nobody wants to miss out on potential earnings. Yet, without the right strategies in place, you might be doing just that. Read on for three steps you cannot skip if you want to take someone from an admirer to a buyer of your art.

#066: The AI Debate Dividing Artists

While there’s no denying the excitement over AI’s potential to revolutionize our lives, it’s not without controversy. AI adoption exists on a spectrum, and there are plenty of artists standing on opposite ends of it. Analyze this disruptive technology through a social behavioral lens to see what the subtext on subtweets means for the present and future state of the independent art world.

#067: 3 Ways Artists Can Get Ahead As Entrepreneurs

The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, so what’s the next small step you can take towards making your first sale and building a sustainable living from your art? Challenge yourself to explore different ways to sell and share your art, optimize how you connect with your audience using technology like AI, and identify opportunities you can leverage.

#068: The Rule of 7 for Art Business

Having trouble selling your art and not sure why? Going from artist to entrepreneur and turning your passion into a profession is easier said than done, but it’s not impossible. If you’re struggling to turn social media followers into sales, then it’s time to learn The Rule of 7.

#069: How & Why To Sell Art as an Onchain Collectible

Artists need to diversify how they share and sell their work. Diversification allows you to connect with different audiences, each with unique habits, budgets, and goals. It also encourages you to experiment and view your creative practice from new perspectives that can ultimately help push you forward in your career. One way to diversify your revenue is by selling digital versions of your art as onchain collectibles

#070: Instagram Advice for Artists

For independent artists, Instagram is more than just a social media platform— it's a powerful tool to grow your audience, find professional opportunities, and increase art sales. Our most recent article explores essential strategies for leveraging Instagram to its fullest potential to make the most of your valuable time so you can focus more on making art instead of just marketing it.

Closing Thoughts

Nobody said being an artist is easy, but we hope HUG is making it easier with these weekly articles alongside the resources and opportunities we share. From the latest tools in technology to tried and true strategic advice you may be missing out, we’re here to help you get everything you need to take your creative career as far as you want to take it.

Did you find one of the aforementioned articles particularly useful? Don’t hesitate to forward them to a friend, or invite them to subscribe for themselves.

Alternatively, if you have a suggestion for a topic to cover, please do not hesitate to reply directly to this email to share it with us!

Artist Grants and Opportunities

• 🏆  $20,000 Grand Prize for Artists & Designers: The Onchain Foundation is DOUBLING their initial prize for their design competition. 10 artists will be awarded $500 each, with 1 artist receiving a $20,000 commission to complete the collection.

• 🗺️ Exhibit art with impact at the United Nations: Submit art supporting the UN SDG Action Campaign and their vision for a hopeful future.

• 💫 Share Your Art with Thousands in Vegas: JRNY Gallery is seeking art on the theme of “Stardust Memories” to showcase at their monthly First Friday event.

• 🧡 Wild Women in Illustration Wanted: Digital Dreams Gallery in KCMO is seeking women illustrators to showcase empowering art for their upcoming “Call of the Wild” exhibition.

• 🖼️ Exhibit Your AI Art in Berlin: The Marketplace Conference is seeking art to share with 500 founders, investors, and corporations at their upcoming event in Germany.

• 💰 HUG is giving away $12,000 USD annually in artist grants in support of emerging artists.

This Week’s Art Drops

Did you know that these are just 8 of hundreds of art drops on HUG? Get a full list of this week’s art drops from HUG here.