The Art Biz

• Entrepreneurial Fatigue, Market Uncertainty, and the Case for Slowing Down with Katie Hunt (240)

  Host Alyson Stanfield talks with Katie Hunt about the findings from her 2025 State of the Product Industry survey. While Katie’s audience includes product-based artists and makers, many of the themes—pricing pressures, burnout, and the need for stronger systems—apply across the creative sector. They explore what’s really happening behind the scenes of creative businesses right now: why some are thriving while others are closing or stalling, how tariffs are complicating planning and profitability, and the surprising number of businesses still not using email marketing. Katie and Alyson reflect on the connection between sustainability and simplification, and how support, community, and structure can make all the difference. 03:50 Who was surveyed and what kinds of businesses they run 09:00 How hiring and systems correlate with reduced hours and greater sustainability 11:30 Why email marketing is still underused—and still effective 15:30 The mindset blocks around unsubscribes and “bothering” your list 17:40 Social media as a visibility tool vs. a sales driver 18:30 Why community, mentorship, and education accelerate growth 21:00 Emotional tone of the industry: cautiously hopeful, but tired 24:20 Following up and closing the loop when no one responds 26:40 30% of respondents have considered closing their business 30:00 Tariffs, planning challenges, and the ripple effect on pricing 34:20 What separates those who sustain their business from those who burn out 38:00 The role of peer support and accountability 🎧 RELATED EPISODES 4 Considerations for Wholesaling Your Art with Katie Hunt (138) Worrying About the Economy with Elaine Luttrull (141) Increasing Self-Sales by 400% with Sarah Becktel (157) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/fatigue-hunt ⭐️ Connect with Katie and listen to the Proof to Product podcast at https://prooftoproduct.com 🔶 Ready to make real progress in your art business? Essentials for Artist Success is where you stop spinning your wheels and start taking focused, intentional action. It’s not just another course—it’s a structured system for building momentum, making better decisions, and implementing the right strategies at the right time. Designed to support you through every season of your business, Essentials gives you the clarity, accountability, and community you need to keep moving forward. Learn more >>> Essentials for Artist Success ⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes. ~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~ This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/  

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• Why Every Artist Needs a Brand Kit (239)

  host: Alyson Stanfield Artists thrive on creative expression, but that same impulse can scatter your marketing. Without consistency, collectors are left confused about who you are and what you stand for. In this solo episode, I share why identity comes before design, what goes into a brand kit, and how it saves time while building trust. Your next collector is just one connection away. Make it a memorable one. ✨ HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 When artists relied on printed packets 02:40 Why tactile marketing materials still matter today 05:40 The tough love: artists aren’t designers (and why that matters) 08:00 Why your Identity — with a capital “I” — comes first 10:20 What a brand kit includes and how it helps 12:00 The pitfalls of DIY and how we can give you support in Essentials 13:40 Wrapping up: identity, design, and consistency in action 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/brand-kit 🎧 MENTIONED These are the other solo episodes (so far) leading up to the Followers to Collectors workshop. When the Art Sales Stop: 6 Areas to Investigate (235) Clean Your Email List to Improve Deliverability and Engagement (236) Remove Barriers to Buying Your Art (237) You Don’t Need a Gallery, You Need Conscious Connections (238) 🎧 RELATED EPISODES These episodes feature guests who have clarity around who they are as artists: Married to a Single Art Project Forever with Michelle Fung (227) How You Want to Be Perceived as an Artist with Alexandra Squire (133) What a Commitment to Audience-Building Means to Noelle Phares (225) 📥 RESOURCES Planning Workshop: Followers to Collectors – September 9–10 Essentials for Artist Success: Ongoing coaching, support, and training ⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes. ~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~ This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/

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• You Don’t Need a Gallery, You Need Conscious Connections (238)

  host: Alyson Stanfield Waiting to be discovered isn’t a strategy. A gallery might help, but it won’t solve everything. What you really need to build a thriving art career are conscious connections. These are intentional relationships that open doors, create opportunities, and sustain you for the long run. In this solo episode, host Alyson Stanfield explains what conscious connections are, why they matter more than ever, the barriers that hold artists back, and how to start cultivating your own unique network with a list that only you could create. 00:00 Why waiting to be discovered is not a strategy 01:00 August solo series leading to the Followers to Collectors workshop (see other episodes below) 02:20 The changing art ecosystem — what has and hasn’t changed 02:50 Defining conscious connections 03:30 Quick scenarios that show conscious connections in action 04:50 Why connections matter: resources, opportunities, momentum, knowledge, sales, collaboration 07:10 Conscious connections are the lifeblood of your career 07:30 Barriers: fear, logistics, and avoidance 09:00 The importance of focusing on others, not just yourself 09:10 Four buckets of connections: supporters, sellers & venues, influencers, peripheral potential 11:20 Conscious connections aren’t optional — they are foundational 11:50 One small action to nurture a connection this week 12:30 Invitation to the Followers to Collectors workshop (Sept 9–10) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/conscious-connections 🎧 MENTIONED These are the other solo episodes (so far) leading up to the Followers to Collectors workshop. When the Art Sales Stop: 6 Areas to Investigate (235) Clean Your Email List to Improve Deliverability and Engagement (236) Remove Barriers to Buying Your Art (237) 🎧 RELATED EPISODES In these episodes, guests talk about the conscious connections that have helped them succeed with a specific project. Multiply Your Audience and Expand Your Show’s Impact with Jill Powers (27) Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (64) Collaborating on Your Art Business with Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin (86) A Collaboration Between 2 Artists that Led to Creative Growth (183) 📥 RESOURCES Planning Workshop: Followers to Collectors – September 9–10 Essentials for Artist Success: Ongoing coaching, support, and training ⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes. ~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~ This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/

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• Remove Barriers to Buying Your Art (237)

  host: Alyson Stanfield   When someone is ready to buy your art, the last thing you want to do is make them go on a treasure hunt. Every extra click, unanswered question, or missing price is a barrier that can cost you the sale.   In this solo episode, I talk about how you can take charge of the buying process—because while you can’t control the economy or trends, you can control how easy it is for people to pay you.   Key Ideas Collectors don’t just buy art—they buy into the artist. Relationships matter, but clarity in the buying process is non-negotiable. Three keys to a smooth sales experience: Clarity, Ease, and Trust. Why your homepage isn’t enough—and how credit lines, prices, and details create clarity. How multiple payment options and clear agreements make buying easier. Why trust depends on fast responses, transparent policies, and consistent follow-through. A challenge for you: Audit your own buyer’s journey and fix one barrier this week. Highlights 00:00 Someone discovers your art on Instagram—what happens next?   02:00 Barriers in the buying process and why they matter   04:00 The first key: Clarity (and why your homepage is not the best destination)   05:00 The importance of credit lines for every finished piece   06:00 Pep talk: Don’t make people work harder to give you money   06:20 The second key: Ease—payment options and professional process   07:00 Stories about payment plans gone wrong and how to protect yourself   08:00 Why seamless transactions signal professionalism and build trust   08:20 The third key: Trust—buyers need to feel safe and confident   09:00 Follow-through, transparency, and consistent post-sale communication   09:30 The bigger picture: Trust and relationships over time create collectors   09:50 Your action step—audit your own buyer’s journey   10:00 Workshop invitation and how this step fits into the larger journey   11:20 Closing reminders: You can’t control the economy, but you can control how easy it is to buy your art   Mentioned When the Art Sales Stop: 6 Areas to Investigate (235)   Clean Your Email List to Improve Deliverability and Engagement (236)   Strategic Growth, Collector Relationships, and Costly Lessons with James Corwin (232)     📖 To read more and see featured artists visit https://artbizsuccess.com/remove-barriers     📥 RESOURCES   Planning Workshop:   Followers to Collectors – September 9–10   Essentials for Artist Success:   Ongoing coaching, support, and training       ⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.   ~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~   This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/

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• Clean Your Email List to Improve Deliverability and Engagement (236)

  Most artists focus on growing their email list—but what if the real power comes from trimming it? In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield walks you through why and how to clean your email list. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about improving deliverability rates, boosting engagement, and building trust with the people who are actually listening. If you want to email with more confidence—and stop second-guessing who’s on the other end—this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE Why list hygiene is essential for deliverability and visibility How neglecting your list hurts your confidence and metrics A 5-step process to clean your list (without panicking) Why this matters more than ever with changes to email deliverability A mindset shift: You’re not deleting people—you’re making space How this ties into the upcoming Followers to Collectors planning workshop 00:32 Why email list hygiene often gets overlooked but is critical for your marketing 01:49 The emotional impact of sending emails to people who aren't engaging 03:04 How deliverability is changing and why this matters now more than ever 04:47 What happens when you keep inactive contacts on your list 05:53 Garden metaphor: pruning your list is thoughtful, not ruthless 06:58 Signs it’s time to clean: analytics, hesitation, and confidence dips 07:54 Step-by-step process to clean your list (starting with segmentation) 11:12 Why a smaller list can be more energizing 11:44 How cleaning your list connects to the Followers to Collectors workshop 12:45 Your action step this week and how refreshing your list brings clarity   🎧 RELATED EPISODES The artists in these episodes discuss successful use of their email lists: She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be with Kelly Pelfrey (162) Self Sales, Open Studios, and Relationships with Interior Designers with Carol MacConnell (171) Increasing Art Sales with Online Events with Patricia Griffin (97) Producing a Monthly Digital Magazine with Alyson Sheldrake (199) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/clean-email-list   📥 RESOURCES MENTIONED Planning Workshop: Followers to Collectors – September 9–10 Essentials for Artist Success: Ongoing coaching, support, and training   ⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes. ~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~ This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/

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