my honest advice for artists & small businesses: how to get people to ACTUALLY buy your art

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Tammy Dinh
PO Box 13791
Denver, CO 80201
United States

CHAPTERS
00:00 - 01:34 intro
01:34 - 02:28 don't make selfish art
02:28 - 03:26 who are you making art for?
03:26 - 04:06 striking the balance
04:06 - 05:06 give something to get something
05:06 - 06:03 provide value
06:03 - 07:03 marketing pie
07:03 - 07:45 you cannot stay the same
07:45 - 08:47 you'll never feel ready
08:47 - 09:13 be willing to improve
09:13 - 10:44 separate your art form your business

#polymerclay #studiovlog #smallbusiness #makingmoneyonline #handmade #advice

[tulipcatss]

I honestly started tearing up at the end of the video when you talked about separating art and business. It’s something I’ve been struggling with, but I recently started making art for myself, I think it it really helped. Thank you Tammy for sharing your wisdom 🧙🪄❤️

[noxauranyx]

"You will never feel ready." This is something I wish I knew sooner.
I always felt like I needed to improve my art to a certain point before I could show or sell it. This stunted my growth more than anything else! You truly will never be ready, and that growth will come as you learn along the way!

[MaakaSakuranbo]

There's fine art, and there is commercial art.
Fine art is for the appreciation of the creator. Commercial art is for the appreciation of the customer

[tarinvernon]

Please continue making selfish art people. Dont ever stop. But also make art for people. You can follow trends and make things for people like a factory but remember to make sure you also do your own selfish art FOR people from time to time. You have no idea how much people recognize your style and your own work. Your visions and ideas can sell greatly. Dont let your store be a copy paste of what's popular. You will loose all your passion and burn out like a candle. But also research and knowing what the market wants is also important. It is a balance. Don't fall for extremes. But please for the love of all that is artsy, make, selfish art! Also stop calling is selfish, it is art for you and your enjoyment that others might love. You can post this on a separate account and see how people enjoy it. So while making something that will make you happy you can also share it with the world and get feedback

[SamolinaSketches]

"Believe you can do hard things" hit hard. I've had such a low self-esteem and low expectation for my abilities - literally just self-talk - for as long as I can remember, and I've been doubting about whether I can step up to the challenged of really starting an art business. "You will never feel ready" also hits hard. I've been "researching" and "finding my style" for. Ever. I need to just jump in! Thank you for sharing with us!

[AuDHDID]

I don’t think any art is selfish, it builds authenticity and skill to experiment. But your business approach to add value is correct. You can do art for yourself and add value, I think Louise Fletcher is a good example of that where her whole ethos is teaching people to find joy in their art.

[charlieO]

I was honestly surprised when you said the bookstore and mini cafe videos didn’t do well because they are some my personal favorite videos of yours and I watched them both at least 4 times each and each time they inspired me to get back into miniatures or reading, I hope you continue making videos like those even if they don’t preform as well I enjoy them just as much as your main videos if not more just for the change of content every now and then 💕

[Hirosart]

I'm running my small business from Vietnam, selling my handmade resin arts. I have followed you for a long while, you're always such an inspiration for me. These days have been so hard on my business but watching you growing and thriving really motivated me. Thank you.

[tendollarbanana]

Real talk though, the expectation that your face is your brand these days is genuinely upsetting to me. I value my privacy. I do not enjoy being on camera. Does that mean I don’t deserve to have a successful business? Does that mean I’m not “connecting” with my customers? Not directed at you Tammy, just venting.

[elisevelasco]

You are not only an artist Tammy, you have become a successful entrepreneur with very practical tips to share especially for aspiring artist/ wannabe online art biz owners. I bet if you publish an ebook on small biz it'll sell out fast - with your selfless, compassionate, artistic, introspective approach I am 100% confident that it will.

[chairzs]

This wasn't harsh at all! It's a very realistic video that definitely points out things that artists and business owners should look out for to avoid disappointment, and i'm very thankful that you shared these truths without being demeaning. Thank you for this video!

[sophia._xoxoo]

Tammy in her active era! loving it ❤️❤️

[Nahelus]

This is why im happy now that i quitted doing art profesionally and working on another thing that i see just as a job and doing my own art for my own selfish pleasure, creating what i like and want, i dont even need to show it in social media anymore, its the best : D

[mangokilla]

Haha the first point is the reason I'm even starting a side hustle- I'm a graphic designer working in a corporate setting where im basically just a button pusher who gets no say in the work I'm making. I want to just make art that I want to make, and might as well try selling it if I've got all that art racked up!

I have been giving myself small prompts so that the art im making will have some sort of appeal to customers, and doing test batches so I can discontinue designs that didn't sell!

So playing with the fine line of profitable freedom and fully selfish art has been interesting:)

[ArtofAntonieta]

regardless of the videos (making a mini cafe and book shopping) performance, I still find them relaxing like a short break from the clay business. "Cannot stay the same" really struck me because I started making items with resin and while I enjoy it, it's not something that I can stick with forever because of the ups and downs when working with resin. So I came across one of your videos on TikTok and I thought to myself, "clay? make tiny art? Worth a shot" and while it took some trial and error, I find it relaxing. I didn't have to wear gloves, worry about toxic fumes, or the environment throughout the year. Like drawing, it was something I could do anytime

[valentinedempsey]

As a young person who is putting all their spare time into art and creativity, this was really helpful and realistic, thank you so much Tammy

[ipsitapattanaik]

I own a small business and this was one of the MOST USEFUL AND GENUINE VIDEOS i've come across/ needed to see in a long long time! Thank you Tammy!

[fancycarbon]

I think your point about not making selfish art is great but I think it’s also really important to point out that “requested” art absolutely does not always sell either. Especially when people request an artist or small business to create a certain style of jewelry or painting or even a clay piece like you and then they choose not to buy it because they suddenly can’t afford it, just wanted to see it and didn’t even have intent on buying it, or flat out don’t want it anymore. I had this happen once and never allowed it to happen again and I’ve seen it happen to a lot of other small businesses as well. As you said it is important to make things people actually want to buy but it’s also important to acknowledge this type of behavior from people that demand and request things and don’t buy it and waste the time, money, and materials of small businesses and artists. As lot of us do depend on our sales to cover business expenses, rent, medical bills, pet food, etc, I think more people need to acknowledge this side of the business too. If anyone reading this makes requested art or does customs, please take payment upfront or at least partial payment and protect yourself from losing your hard earned money on materials and wasting your precious time!

[UNIesque]

It’s really refreshing to hear these great insights coming from younger artists - especially knowing some of where you’ve been with your anxieties. ☺️ I’ve only been watching for a year or so, but it makes me so dang proud to see you uncover this kind of strength and wisdom. Keep going, girl - you’ve got this~!✨

[baraahsinjab]

Honestly I love content you make that's not strictly your business! I know they may be your worst performing, but I see it as those are your OG friends who will watch anything you make because they appreciate you as you are :D <3