It’s Almost a Wrap Review This Year and Plan for the Next One
The traditional show season is wrapping up. As I write this, what is left for the year are Christmas/holiday shows, so it is a wonderful time to review the year that was and plan for the year to come.
As times and trends change, we need to be prepared to make modifications to not just our work, but our business plans as well. The show season slows down for many this time of year, making it the perfect time to get a bit retrospective and think about the direction each of us wants — and perhaps needs — to go.
One Moment in Time
So, how was your year? OK, while this seems like a slightly overbroad question, it is a good starting point. Were you happy with where your art took you? Was business good? Were you pleased with the shows you chose? How are you feeling physically?
Most importantly, have your family and personal life moved in a positive direction? These are questions each of us should ask ourselves as we begin our retrospection about 2024 in preparation for changes we might need to make in 2025.
This kind of reflection can be a bit scary. What if I conclude I need to move out of my comfort zone? Adaptation is something each of us must be willing to do to not just survive but grow.
Taking inventory of where we are and what we need to do to get where we want to be is an important first step. When I do this exercise, I cannot help but jump back and forth between all these questions.
The reality is business numbers impact decisions related to what I make. My family’s health impacts my willingness to commit to different obligations. My physical limitations affect my ability to live up to my promises.
When addressing each question individually, one cannot help but see they are all interrelated. And they all lead back to the over-arching question — what must I do to adapt my art and my business to grow?
Vincent
The first question to ask is whether you are happy with your art. Does it continue to fulfill you, and does it still feel relevant to you? If yes, are there changes or modifications you should make to better adapt to an ever-changing marketplace?
Do customers still seem interested, or is it time to change your themes/colors/forms to appeal to your existing customers? Is it more cost and time effective to seek new markets rather than change your art?
These are not easy questions, and we are all biased in our answers. We cannot help it. If we did not like what we are making, we would not make it.
The act of making something is personal, and it is easy to confuse what we like with what others like. However, since this is a business, it is important to evaluate what we make not just from our own perspective but from the perspective of others.
The best single barometer for this is sales. Compliments and kind words are wonderful and feed our souls. But buying — that takes things to another level. It requires action on the part of our customers.
That action is what makes our business and livelihood possible. If sales are trending down, it is important to explore and evaluate why they are down.
Have we saturated a market? Is our work still the same as when we started? What can I change to appeal to my existing customers?
Compare your sales figures over the last three years and see where the trend line takes you. If numbers are going down, consider what you need to do to make a change. If numbers are going up, try to determine what appeals to your customers.
Remember, though, to stay true to your art and voice. Your work needs to be an extension of you. If it is not, it will show.
The hardest cases I had in my old law practice were the ones where I did not believe in what I was selling. I had a duty to my client to argue their case and did it to the best of my ability. But it was so much easier (though emotionally harder) when I really felt it.
Do not change your art just to appeal to market forces. You must like the changes you make, or the market will know it is not you.