♡ Small Art Business Q&A | How I Became a Self-Employed Freelance Artist ♡

[@KelseyRodriguez]

I've procrastinated launching my shop for aaaagggesss because I'm just terrified of dealing with shipping on a regular basis. Hearing that you were also nervous about it and just took it slow really helped alleviate some of my fears! I've done it before, so like literally idk why I'm so scared of it, but the idea of someone having a negative experience with my shop is so stressful! This video was a great resource, thank you!

[@MonicaMolinar]

Fancy meeting you here, Kelsey! 😊You have been incredibly helpful to my growth with the content you create, and I ❤ how you mention so many other Creators who inspire you, and who help you achieve your goals as well. I’ve used your comments regarding other Creators to help me find the type of content I am seeking, and follow them, based on your recommendations. Regarding your concerns about your store - just do your best - that’s all any of us can do, isn’t it? As long as you know, within yourself, that you’ve done what you can do within your capabilities, you can sleep well at night with a clear conscious, I believe. There’s plenty of ‘ick’ in this world, and you even shine a light on that darkness sometimes, reframing that and bringing positivity to situations you face. Continued best wishes for your ongoing growth & success!

[@Mel-yx3uk]

It was sooooo refreshing to hear someone authentically talk about their struggles with growing their small business. It made me feel like I am on the right path still and to keep going. Thank you for this video!!!!!!

[@insomniaclamb4652]

I know this video is a year old but it stumbled into my KZbin feed and I enjoyed it a lot! I like your voice and found the video to be relatable :) As a currently small artist trying to be a full or even part time artist, it can be discouraging to put in the work without seeing results but this video made me feel better about it. New subscriber! :)

[@MeganWangart]

thank you!! so glad you enjoyed and best of luck on your art journey!

[@TaterKakez]

Same here!!

[@MsNinahhh]

I really enjoyed the honestly aspect, I feel like a lot of younger creatives will see other creatives end up where they are, but may not understand the journey/struggles they went to get there. There is a lot that goes into being “self-employed” that people aren’t aware of. If you live in Canada, generally put 30-35% aside for taxes, also you generally don’t need to charge GST until to make over 30k. Also, don’t feel scared to reach out to your accountant or CRA.

[@alexis_keith]

Becoming a full time artist is hard, but I ain’t giving up on my dreams👏🏻 Also thank you for this video ❤️

[@nicola-xk5cp]

I wish you to be successful with in it👍😁

[@kathrynmccarthy]

I'm someone who has a side hustle and a full time job and it's really a balancing act to make sure I still get to spend time with friends and relax while maintaining the shop. I think the biggest thing that has allowed me to do this is that I started (and am currently) only selling digital products. So I make the thing once and it can sell over and over without any extra labor from me. I do want to come out with some physical products, and when that day comes I intend to sell in small batches and product drops so as to not overwhelm myself. But nowadays I find that my social time usually lands on a weekday evening after my day job ends, and my time for my side hustle lands on the weekend and week nights here and there. I usually don't always reserve the whole weekend for my side hustle, but hours wise I might spend a full day of the weekend on my side hustle, and that time is just broken up among the other things I'm doing during that time.

[@naimahycreations]

Thank you so much for this video Meg! it can be so frustrating and confusing when you aren't doing as well as your peers, but stuff like this gives me hope! I used to think I had to be perfect to start but I know now that's not true. I'm a student, I work a shitty part time job and I run a shop. I just started my youtube some months ago and geez la weez it's tuff :'0. We have to be nicer to ourselves and give ourselves grace because we deserve it. I admire you so much and I'm so happy for your success! Thank you for the amazing advice!

[@michellelevesque5511]

Just found your videos, I really like your authenticity and ability to be just comfortable. My art journey has been slow growing based on my expectations of self but actually it’s really just about figuring out what works for you isn’t it? And trying not to compare yourself to others, which is very challenging for my brain. Anyway, I like your openness and I hope I embody your attitude as I keep moving forward.

[@SazBerry]

I sold my first prints last month just to some of my friends and it was such a great feeling! It seems like a lot of people on my feeds are putting out content like this, feels like a sign haha but fr it's so so helpful tysm, and congrats on building your business up to this point in such a (relatively) short time, it's really inspiring!!

[@MeganWangart]

congrats!!!! that's amazing!!

[@NyangJinArt]

I've been wanting to start a small art business but I've been SO FEARFUL and anxious of taking the steps to set everything up and just STARTING. I also went through a breakup recently and it really demotivated me to do anything, but I watched this and I feel inspired. Thank you Megan, I really REALLY hope I can get my business started and share my art with people who enjoy them. I also wanted to say the shipping aspect of it is what I'm THE MOST nervous about, as well as taxes! Hearing you talk about your fears with shipping really helped me a bit knowing that OH, it's NOT just me lmao. I'm saving this video in my art playlist, thank you SO SO much!!

[@emilysketcherland]

this was so inspiring, as someone with only a few hundred followers, ive really been struggling with taking the leap to start selling product. thank you for sharing your journey!

[@bonespicestudio2378]

Really love all the emphasis you put on valuing your work/worth as an artist, and the importance of taking breaks and setting work/life boundaries!

[@nancebaozi]

Hi Megan, thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. This has been so encouraging, especially knowing it’s not hopeless to start a store with very little followers 💛💛💛

[@blackarrowstudio2152]

This gave me such inspiration to continue pushing to start my own business! Your videos have really helped me get an idea of the realities of being a self-employed artist, so thank you :)

[@nbcommiedyke]

yooo thank you so much for this video. I have a small following, but I've gotten so much positive feedback on my work and have even had folks ask to sell and share my art, but I was insecure about doing it and possibly failing. you're making me feel better about starting and having fun with it. I have a full time job rn, so it will have to start as a side hustle!

[@TheRawrrrosaurus]

oh my gosh that was adorable! I just found you and watched your Q&A from a year prior to this and you were talking about how you wanted to do this full time and then this video autoplayed next and look at you!! Already a year later, YOU ARE DOING IT!!! So exciting, so happy for you! :)

[@IsabelManibardo]

This has been my first year as a full time artist and I can relate to everything you say! 😊 Thanks for the video! ❤️🙏🏻

[@madamejicasso]

Thank you for this video!! Of all the “opening a shop” help videos, yours is the first that mentions creating without your own machines. That’s helpful. Especially for someone who’s only beginning with a small audience like you in the past ~ Everything was so helpful (your links and artist/ creator recommendations and manufacturing info and taxxxxx eek info) Thank you for your hard work!!

[@ladybug1021]

I appreciate your transparency so much! Thank you for this video 🫶🏼

[@keirscott-schrueder5625]

the relationships you grow online through making art I've found are actually very rewarding if a bit one dimensional (it's online after all)

[@noovernightguests]

Such a great video! Thank you for going into the details around your products specifically the pros and cons of 3rd party manufacturing. I think sometimes artists keep that advice general or think that it’s common knowledge in the field. For another video, unless you’re over it, maybe go into specific financial details and/or on a timeline, then vs now. Going over sources of income, collaborations etc. I think it’s important especially in the beginning, to share the financial challenges that are a part of starting, maintaining and growing a small biz. 💕💕

[@shmo123]

Its really great to see how far you've come! These are great tips for beginners. I also recently purchased your washi tape and I love how vibrant they turned out. Would you mind sharing where you had it manufactured? Keep up the amazing art!

[@drbeecreates]

It's been so nice to see your art business grow and grow, Megan! You're an inspiration. Thanks for making creative success feel more accessible 🥰

[@CaitlinCahill]

I'm with you. I'd rather be creating new work than manufacturing products. Yeah the profit margins are lower, but it's so worth the time saved. If you don't want to keep stock, print on demand is a great option to test designs.

[@elizabethgraceb]

this is SO helpful & encouraging. thank you so much for all this brain candy, the excitement that you feel when people post is how we feel when you post! :-)

[@celsnacho]

This is such a thorough video! I love that you started small but really put yourself out there and even network with other artists I watch. Love seeing how much you've grown from the first Q and A too! I've been DREAMIN of starting an online shop, but i definitely needed this push💖

[@KatieCannonDesigns]

I love learning how others have built their business. I really enjoyed hearing your story and tips.

[@PeppermintPlays]

thank you for making this video, it gave me some ideas of things to try and also re-cemented some hunches I had about what I have been doing wrong. I find social media so hard and I think not getting to traction I want does impact my view of my work a lot. I've never really tried tiktok or youtube for art things and this video makes me want to give those a go! I am glad I found your channel! thanks for being so inspiring and also honest /realistic 💖

[@umeclaire]

this was a lovely video Megan !! :)

[@MeganWangart]

thank you so much claire

[@umeclaire]

@@MeganWangart i am thank you megan !!!! ;o; ✨💛💛 hope your holiday vacation is merry and peaceful 🎄✨

[@jegerfrek]

I didn't pay attention to what you were saying but you have a pleasant voice and the background music makes this the perfect background noise for working 😅 keep it up

[@vanessafrancoclavijo]

It's so nice to see how much you've grown

[@HartDraws]

Wow ! this video was really informative and amazing !

[@MeganWangart]

thank you!!

[@Anna-qwerty]

How often do you post on instagram? What was consistent for you? I saw other KZbinrs say that they have to post almost daily to even get a following

[@_heartcakes_]

this whole video is so helpful but the end is especially heartwarming 🥺❤️❤️❤️

[@MeganWangart]

aww thank you!!

[@celineeechia]

Thank you so much for putting out this video, this is so helpful! ✨ I am so grateful that you share your tips and experience to help people who also want to start a small art business. Sending you lots of love and light 💕

[@bwanstudio]

Thank you for such an informative video! Everything was super helpful, especially your list of resources and manufacturers. Not to mention your voice is super inspirational and motivates me to start doing my own shop!

[@itsmeart]

Thank you so much that was so helpful I'm trying my best to grow on youtube and Instagram and it's hard so keep going but thank you so much for your amazing tips your content is so inspiring I know I don't comment alot but I really admire your style and work keep growing 💖💖💖

[@JessWasHere]

Thanks for the great video Megan! I loved following your growth over the last year, it's truly inspiring! And I'm in awe of how your art developed! I love your illustrations ✨

[@MonicaMolinar]

44:17 Hi Megan! WOW! What a wonderfully informative session I’ve just spent with you! I greatly appreciated all that you said so much! I just subscribed and look forward to checking out more of your videos. When I find a new Creator I resonate with, I like to go back and watch their content from the beginning, as I work on my own projects.I enjoyed this video enough to add you to my “Binge Watch” list for that purpose. I made a goodly bit of art as a child, but once I became an adult - before then, actually - responsibilities of ‘grown-up’ life, coupled with my belief in the the lie that I’d never make money as an artist, led me down multiple different paths since then. I will be 57 this year, and have experienced significant health challenges for as long as I can remember. Up until a year or so ago, I was able to manage those well enough to do work away from home, and have enjoyed dual careers in the Healing Arts and Real Estate Industry over the past couple of decades. Within the past couple of years, that’s changed for me, as my mobility has become far more limited and the issues in my tissues have demanded more care and maintenance. Additionally, there are multiple members of my household who are also living with various disabilities. Being a carer for them, as well as managing my own health as best I can, takes its toll in terms of time and energy. @Kelsey Rodriguez has been instrumental in my return to creating art, taking myself and my work more seriously, and building a sustainable business in this new direction I am now moving. I’m pretty sure that I found you, through her, and I’d like to thank you for your honesty and transparency - two qualities I also appreciate from her. I can’t wait to discover more of what you have to offer here, and wish you all good things as you continue to succeed and fulfill your wishes for your life, and your life’s work. Cheers to you! 😊

[@Hollyjcat]

I just wanna say thank you for making this video! It's so well organized, and it's so awesome that you took time to answer these questions. Definitely learned a lot and am excited to continue forward in my journey. Thank you for being an honest to goodness inspiration! ^-^

[@TeacupGirl]

So helpful to hear other points of view- and I really loved hearing your honesty about the struggles that you’ve faced. I find YT difficult- not because of the filming and editing (love that) but the lack of feedback is definitely discouraging. I’m going to keep persisting and new year is a new opportunity to create more consistent content!

[@MeganWangart]

im glad it was helpful!!! best of luck, you got this!!

[@TeacupGirl]

@@MeganWangart thanks- I will try!! 😊

[@cutermew]

Thank you for making a video like this! I took the opposite route, I pushed myself into an office job where I've been pretty miserable but paid well enough to buy machines and am hoping to switch back to doing art 😢❤

[@majabjeletic]

I am listening to your videos this morning and I must say that I heard a ton of useful tips and advices about starting a small business. Thank you for your support and sharing your experience.

[@HopeItStixStudios]

Super inspiring and thorough! Thank you so much for making this and organizing it

[@Bournelux]

Thank you for sharing your journey with us Megan!! ❤ it’s great to see how other people are doing on this journey! Xx

[@MeganWangart]

Thanks so much!

[@amydraws9169]

thank you so much for making this video, really helped getting my confidence back for giving it my all for my small business!

[@FridoandFriends]

I loved this video. This helped so mich thank you for your transparent❤

[@familyunity70]

This video was packed with wonderful information. Thank you for taking the time to teach us all. 🥰

[@longstrideillustration]

Great video! I could relate to everything you were saying. I'm at that initial stage, working 7 days a week on my small art business, just started with KZbin and am still in the building phase of my first year as a full-time artist. Hearing that you are taking walks and rest days gives permission to others to take productive rest days, time to get re-energized is so important for the long-term, for health and creativity. I agree with @KelseyRodriguez that this was a great resource, super helpful info 🙂

[@xprinceorcax]

such a good and informative video! Also you’re so chill and adorable. ❤️

[@StarlineHodge]

Thank you so much for this video! It's genuinely really nice to hear about the WHOLE process. So many folks gloss over this kind of stuff.

[@abbeybrickner6603]

Great video!!! Im planning to start my journey to become a self employed artist too!! :-)

[@imAnnaMolly]

I love this, super super helpful & motivating

[@superfriendlyalpaca]

yayy this is soo nice

[@_ripp]

Hey Megan you are a big inspiration to me! I have been wanting to start my own business for years now but you have inspired me to just do it!! thank you for the information

[@allciie6285]

megan!! this was so helpful thank you so much for putting together such a thorough video it’s really comforting to hear all your thoughts on taking the steps to make art a business ☺️💞

[@lizziesletters]

This was so helpful megan ty! AH I love how honest you are

[@ValerieWaiStudios]

This is such an amazing video Megann!! 😭❤ Thank you for sharing everything you've learned throughout your journey and it's incredibly comforting to hear your perspective on things. Especially when you mentioned packaging - I get pretty insecure about my packaging not being enough of an 'experience' to open LOL but I also personally don't see the purpose of going overboard with it knowing most of it will go in the trash :( so I just package things so it's secure, safe and as eco-friendly as I can make it. I can tell how much you've grown and learned throughout the past year and a half, you're incredible❤❤ !

[@jordanloftin9915]

Just looked at your site; it’s so cute!!

[@daysdrawingroom]

i just found this video but thank you for taking the time to make this video, it was super helpful and as someone who is just starting an art account and working on opening a small art business, i will definitely use what i've learned today :) youre amazing megan x

[@jennyjumpjump]

Really liked this video. Lots of good info! What you said about Copyright infringement is just wrong though. It's not about other Etsy sellers having issues with what you sell. It's the fact that the Copyright owners being able to sue you. They'll get a judgement for all the money you made using their copyrighted items AND they'll take all the inventory you have unsold AND they can take equipment you used to create those products. So your computer and printer, etc. Not long ago I heard about a cake maker who was using officially licensed Disney cake pans that she purchsed to make cakes that she sold and Disney got a judgement against her for damages and they came to her house and took her oven out of her kitchen! The cake pans are only licensed for personal use not commercial. It's a huge business risk

[@abonfireofmasks7702]

excellent video, very inspiring. thank you for all your detailed information & advice. you are a natural. ☀️

[@LeighEllexson]

This is great and all but my vid is better

[@LeighEllexson]

ITS A JOKE EVERYONE. MEGAN IS MY SHINING STAR OF LIGHT AND LOVE. xoxox

[@MeganWangart]

HAHAH I was gonna say something sassy back but then I was like ppl are gonna think we have beef 😂😂😂

[@hafnnhaf]

Omg! Ur friendship with Leigh is so cute! ❤️❤️ Aah not me geeking out over my fav artists!! Loved your video btw. Super helpful!

[@LeighEllexson]

@@MeganWangart hahaha I had to IMMEDIATELY say it was a joke or else we would be on some KZbin drama channel

[@LeighEllexson]

Just want to add that I truly enjoyed listening to this video. Mine is better but like this one is good too. Iono.

[@carleycanillustrate7773]

Thank you for your advice... It is very informative. Love your illustrations too. 😍

[@yueillustration]

The biggest problem I have with etsy is that I have to include the shipping in my pricing cause I can’t add individual pricing for variations. I sell my prints from a5 to a0 and the shipping ranges from 7€ to 36€ (LOL international is so expensive) so I can’t set a standard shipping price. My prices are basically a third shipping, a third production cause I let them get individually printed at a photography store and then the rest is my profit. I feel like the high prices are making people less likely to buy but I literally can’t to anything else or I would end with like 5€ profit.

[@cassie1728]

This video inspired me so much thank you! I also love your vibe. Definitely subbing. You’re so real and authentic & I respect that. ❤

[@WendyGreenIllustrations]

thank you for this video!!! this has been super helpful!!! also I love the vibes of your channel!! ❤❤❤

[@ourtaetaeissohansom1552]

omg thankyou for your words meg!! they motivate me so muchh, i love you!!

[@kate9912]

Thank you so much! You don’t know how helpful this was for me! :)

[@scriptonaut7242]

This is so comprehensive & helpful, thank you!

[@lott_e]

This was so helpful and inspiring 💖💖!!

[@JulianaRumple]

Wow, loved listening to your tips, thank you so much! ❤️

[@yueillustration]

I‘m so happy for you! 💕 truly living the dream, not gonna lie I‘m a bit jealous tho 😭

[@kristin3868]

Thank you so much for this, it’s a great resource and it is so well put together. I just found you and you are truly amazing, definitely subscribed. Can’t wait to see what you do from here 💖 ✨

[@boyandbelugee]

Thank you for sharing your journey!❤

[@mima2923]

This was seriously so helpful and you covered so many topics !! Thank you for sharing your knowledge! ☆彡

[@cerealleyx]

i'm procrastinating with the idea of creating merch like stickers etc :' ) bc i dont really have an audience yet but yet i wanna make stickers and keychains :' )

[@meahdowraigne8288]

Thanks so much Megan! Dis was mucho helpful :)

[@brookeleebee]

This video is so great

[@xenalopez126]

Love this

[@RubysArtsyLife]

I’ve been stressing about what to sell on my shop, should I sell prints and other stuff?? I have no following and I have absolutely no idea where to start for marketing myself.

[@gadia2607]

Super useful, thanks a lot ❤️🥰

[@julianicole2380]

‘Obviously not a tax professional (draws hamsters for a living).’ IM DEAD

[@adeliensart]

Hey Megan Such an awesome informative video. thank you! I recently opened a Shopify store… so yes… slow going🙄but going😂 What i want to do this year is record/edit/ maybe sell art lesson video’s or even KZbin…. Where do i start? What do you use to edit video? Can you do a video on that topic please😘

[@MeganWangart]

hi!! best of luck with your new store + good luck with your youtube! there's no right way to start, but I would just start making videos! It doesn't matter what topic they are on, or what you use. what's important is that you make the first step. from there you will make more and more and just begin improving! I use final cut pro x to edit, it's an expensive program but you only have to pay for it once. However, you can use a free software like imovie too! For recording videos, you can use your phone and buy a cheap tripod if you dont want to spend a much of money in the beginning. Just start small and grow from there. You got this! :)

[@adeliensart]

@@MeganWangart thanks Megan.. i have Iphone, tripod and Imovies…. Gonna start from there…. Thanks for your advice…. I love your vlogs😘😘

[@andreaalbayeros1415]

stoppppittt I love this video and you ima cry lmfao thank you so much for this .

[@fremont111]

Would selling Animal Crossing clay pins be considered a copyright issue? I always wonder about this stuff.

[@carrliapeaceworld8225]

Thanks for your sharing 👍

[@matthewbyron7676]

Your clothes are cool

[@melodymeiw]

Thank u for this video!! And thanks KZbin hehe😅

[@relaxinggospelmusic2421]

🤩🤩🤩

[@hey1933]

so do you have a LLC? or sole proprietorship?

[@martab.7463]

Hi! I didn't watch the video to the end so I hope I don't repeat the question that you have already answered but I would like to ask you what do you think is better: selling and promoting your art in English or your native language? Because I'm a small clay artist from Poland and I don't think I could ever reach the audience from around the world (maybe Europe but I think its's the limit haha) but on the other hand on etsy everyone sells things in English and I am not sure which audience should I reach... Because right now I have instagram account in Polish so I think I should be coherent. Or maybe always put two language? Which I feel a little weird about cuz all of my followers are Polish haha. Pls help Megan!

[@MeganWangart]

Hi Marta!! This is super hard since I've never had to go through this (privilege of being a native English speaker), most of the artists that I know that don't have English as their first language all mainly use English on the social platforms - I assume this is because it helps them reach bigger audiences. If you're not planning on growing your audience to be BIG + international, I don't see the harm in using Polish for the most part on instagram! Maybe if you'd like to sell to a wider group of people on Etsy, put both languages in the description. But it's totally up to you! If you want to reach non Polish speakers maybe also put English in your captions as well?? But I really don't see an issue with using Polish!!

[@chantalmassin1756]

Hope you dont mind me saying how did you know or feel this would sell? Yes Im feeling discouraged scared a little. Do you have any advice for an old fart like me? Lol

[@s4m1_ul]

6th liek yey

[@ColzoArt]

I went full time with my art business this year too which has been fun (& sometimes overwhelming…) found your vlogs from @apple cheeks & love the vibe 🥰

[@michaelamadeit]

Oh my goodness, I feel so seen from this! 🥹 I am exactly there in my KZbin journey (right at the beginning) and just my art business journey in general! Thank you for putting this out there and being vulnerable and sharing your wealth of knowledge Megan! It’s so inspiring how much growth can happen with commitment, consistency, and to your point, a little luck! 😉 Keep doing your thing! I really appreciate you sharing your experience! 💛

[@bomaster4665]

Could you do a video on how you grew to 50k+ followers on instagram?

[@ketk1420]

Thanks for sharing. Keep up the good work, okay.

[@MeganWangart]

thank you!

[@nicola-xk5cp]

Your video is so helpful!! Thanks a lot for taking the time and the effort to do it, I'm a beginner digital artist and this helps me a lot. If it's not a problem for you, would you take a look at my current portfolio (artstation/nikk36) and give me your opinion whether I could try to do self employed, or if it's better that I refine my skills more (only if you feel like, I don't want to be bothering).