HOW TO BE A UNICORN IN ART

 

Ready to earn “Unicorn” status with your Art?

These days, it matters.

Why? Because everyone is an artist of some sort.

So what are you going to do to stand out? Can't think of anything?

You better start.

I'm sorry ladies but posing your body with posts of your art is old and tired and not really unique.

Is that really the kind of attention you want to attract anyway?

Being a unicorn means having the ability to shine a light on the rare breed that you are.

First, you must believe that yes, you are a rare breed. Start there. There's nothing wrong with that. Let that "lead" your mindset and how you approach your art journey.

To put it plainly, the art business has not changed in ages and while you shouldn't fix what isn't broken, it doesn't hurt to adjust a little here and there to make it work better for you and your goals.

Here are 2 ways right off the bat that you can earn unicorn status.

CHALLENGE THE EYES OF THOSE WHO SEE YOUR WORK BY SWITCHING UP YOUR MATERIALS.

Not only will this help you possibly discover a new style, adopting new materials will make you hard to imitate and guess what? It doesn't have to be complicated. You can choose to add something as simple as charcoal or collage paper into your paintings and boom, you have carved out a unique lane that is all your own.

Another Option is to...

GET REAL WITH YOUR CONTENT

Painting Afros and naked, badly painted or neon colored bodies is tired. It’s a great way to draw “IN” the crowd < Class in Session-Pay Attention> but after you do that…go deeper with your content. In 2014 I predicted that artists who create conceptual work will go far and to this day, I haven't been wrong. Use your experiences and relate them to the world around you. How are they challenged? What thought's swirl in your mind as the world shifts to new paradigms? THIS IS YOUR CONTENT. Express this angst visually and give your work meaningful and honest explanations for why you created what you did.

Now in terms of your Art Business...

OFFER UNIQUE CUSTOMER SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS

What I see a lot of out here is artists telling potential customers that they DO NOT ACCEPT REFUNDS. In my opinion, that's just simply because they lack the drive to put real effort into their art businesses.

It IS possible to refund art. It just requires a little strategy. (I can break this down in several ways actually.) I mention this because I see so many people with businesses be unwilling to cater to potential customer's with this assurance measure. That one bad customer service rule has stopped me from purchasing from people a no. of times.

Don't let laziness, have you looking like every one else out here.

Another (My Current Strategy) > GO THE EXTRA MILE

You can do something as simple as creating unique packaging.

Currently for my prints, I make by canvas frames in black and white, my logo colors, so people will know it's mine. Again don't let something like time or money keep you from adding flair to your art.

Being a unicorn in art is something you should always be thinking about when you put yourself out there as an artist.

and it doesn't require having a big ass or big personality. It's all about strategy

Here's a little exercise.

Visit the website of a business you've ordered from online and write out at least 3 ways that this company stands out from a competitor you considered purchasing from as well. Whether it be the type of product they sell, their mission/purpose behind their business or the customer service options they offer.

This should get your brain juices flowing, so your task would be to then write out 3 things you are to implement in your practice so you can become the unicorn you desire to be.