How To Become A Full-Time Artist With NO SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING

I think in this day & age, too many people get caught up in creating “content” instead of creating “art” and making money from it. Utilize social media but don’t lose sight in what it is you’re wanting to actually do.

I feel a bit sad watching this, it's an awesome breakdown and really helpful. Sometimes I wonder about progress, I'm nearing retirement having spent 35 years as a pro photographer working with clients like Roll Royce, British Airways, Lexus, Range Rover etc. I reconnected with the guy who gave me my first job, I asked him why, because honestly, if he hadn't perhaps I'd still be an engineer. His answer, ' I kinda liked you and thought we'd have a fun shoot' - that simple. It just feels really tough to be an artist / photographer now. Boy .. you need to think of everything. I hope it all works out for the folk watching, because it's a wonderful way of earning a living. PS Your No4 advice is first rate .. really good advice.

Hot tip, if you want to be a full time artist, social media will work exactly against you. By eating up all your time without creating conversations.

Was just talking to a friend about this yesterday! We are both artists and struggling to keep up with the seemingly essential and demanding work of social media upkeep. Your insights provided some reassurance for the steps I've been consider taking, thanks a bunch!

This is one of the channels that gave me the courage to start my YouTube channel 6 months ago about self development. Now I have 345 subs and > 100 hours of watch time. I know it’s not comparable with others but I’m still proud I started because I’ve been learning so many lessons that I couldn’t have learned without getting started in the 1st place.

Yes, the starving artist trope needs to die. Artists need to be more savvy about wearing both hats—I do art and I sell my work—social media is part of my networking system. Success to me means doing my art full time and being able to pay my bills and eat—I used social media to launch my career, and still keep a light foot in it— I enjoyed your video. Subscribing.

Has someone who started out with a dream and basically put it on hold for the better part of 20 years only to come back now in my 50s to try and restart what I wanted to do originally, I think it's never too late. I will agree that the market is definitely all kinds of different now than it was when I graduated art school but sometimes you just have to do the work and the rest will come

« The best artists » don’t equal to successful artists ! A lot of successful artists are selling crap just because they have a strong marketing presence and strategy.

It's a little scary how this video showed up in my list to watch. I've been struggling with staying at a job. I've been telling myself, the reason why is because I'm no longer creative. I'm not doing the things I love AND am skilled at. So as I've spent the last few days battling my decision, your video came up. Everything was very helpful for me to hear right now. Thank you.

I loved the long form video. There are no shortcuts to what I want to build, learned that the hard way. “Complete control of your platform” is what resonated with me the most, social media is a tool, clicks n likes won’t pay your bills. Thanks again.

This came at the perfect time. I quit my corporate marketing job not long ago to pursue freelance copy writing full-time. I was only able to do this thanks to a good amount of savings and some low costs of living at the moment. A few weeks in, I've been relying only on Upwork with the hope that I could get some consistent work there before branching out to other streams. But that's clearly shaping up to not be the best approach. Competition is high, so this video reaffirmed that I need to start seeking revenue elsewhere and now, not later. My long-term dream is to maintain my copywriting work but also incorporate revenue from other creative mediums, including photography. Still going to build a social media presence, but it's a good reminder that it's not the single most important thing to do when starting a full time creative business.

Thank you for countering the "starving artist" stereotype. It's a cruel stereotype that probably caught on because selfish people don't think artists work very hard and they want it for free or very little money. It's getting better, but this is still strong.

I'm an artist, at 65 I see how hard it has become for youngsters now. But it's great that there are so many more channels media, possibilities too.

Ill say this. This video is not pulling any punches and that's honestly something we need more of.

Artists get into a weird trap of just making content for social media but that isn't the kind of art people and businesses pay good money for.

This and the video you did a year ago are great for many reasons but one basic: you make clear how REALLY DOABLE this journey is IF you have become really good at something. Very inspiring, thank you!

What you’ve explained so well in thorough detail is essentially what I’ve just begun to learn myself, albeit through hitting a lot of dead ends for the last 7 years, that social media following does not equal=$. Monetizing your skills and connecting with patrons does. Thank you 🙏🏻

Another great spot on video. These no nonsense videos are EXACTLY what new photographers need. Thank you for continuing to share your light and knowledge with the world Pat. Your influence has and will continue to change lives for the better.

Amazing video! I love your approach to lifestyle design and making your passion a business. The statement that a social media following is not necessary to go full-time and the share of ad revenue vs. revenue generated from your following really helped. That took a lot of pressure of my shoulders because I was wondering if anybody would buy my product without a following.

I'm a photographer for 9 years or more. Started to get more income only in 2020...2020 was a superb year. 2021 2022, two years with only budget refusals. Compannies and clients love my work, they discover my work but prefer professional photographers with name in the market. ITs such a struggle you cant imagine. They want the best for the cheapest price.