Time management, for an artist in business, is essential. They need to balance creating art, promoting art and recharging their personal energy and creativity. One way to do that is to outsource. Just because things need to be done, it doesn’t mean they all need to be done by the artist personally.

I am trying to get a better handle on outsourcing. I’m a person who loves to know how everything works and I enjoy tinkering with every piece of my business. So for years, I did everything – from the art to the marketing to the web design… I mean EVERYTHING! (Even dusting the studio… everything.) And that works for a while as you start a business but at some point you have to decide if you want to continue to grow your business (and still have a life) or stay smaller where you can do it all yourself.

Time management is an evolutionary process that needs to be looked at and revised as your interests, business and time needs change. When you feel guilty leaving the office to go to the movies with your family because “you have so much to do” – it’s time to figure out a better way to get the work done!

No large, successful business operates with one person doing everything. There will come a time in every business to get serious about getting help. Outsource some of the things you don’t have to do personally. Of course hiring others and releasing control, as well as spending money to do so, is scary at first. But it will become a key ingredient to building your business and maintaining personal balance.

Here are four areas an artist might consider outsourcing as their income and time demands increase:

1. Website Design and Maintenance.

Many artists don’t want to learn how to design websites, update images, links and more. They know what they want it to look like and they just want it to work. There are people who love to tinker with websites and would be happy to make an artist’s vision a reality. Pay them to do it and put your time and energy into your art.

2. Payroll and Accounting.

Businesses need to keep accurate records and there will come a time, if it isn’t here already, when you will need to pay yourself a salary and pay the state and federal government payroll taxes. If you don’t, my accountant says they will come knocking on your door to see what is going on. Payroll is the first thing I recommend outsourcing to a payroll service – the laws change so frequently and there are so many forms to fill out and files at different intervals that it is best left to accountant types. Then if the day to day or weekly chore of bookkeeping doesn’t seem to be getting done, outsource that as well.

3. Graphic Design.

As your business grows, the ways you communicates with clients, collectors, suppliers and more will change as well. It becomes harder to personally call or email everyone. You may choose to have print or digital newsletters, mail postcards, brochures or promotional materials and more. While you should be involved in the overall message to make sure it aligns with you, your art and your brand, it doesn’t mean you have to do all the graphic design work. Hire graphic designers for pieces of the business that don’t have to have you personally involved.

4. Cleaning or Yard Work.

Artists don’t need to clean toilets – we have better things to do with brushes. If your business is getting big enough to hire someone, you don’t even have to clean your paint brushes! Look at the time and money costs of doing everything. Could you make more money if you spent your time creating art than you would pay someone to clean the bathroom or mow the lawn? If so, do it!

Time management issues often come up when you are trying to do too many things yourself. So a great way to manage and regain your time, is to outsource some work. Not only will you get more done that brings money into your business, but you will be helping those you pay to help you earn an income as well.

Learn more about artist Tara Reed’s system, The Goal Wheel for Artists™. By an artist for artists and other creative professionals, you will learn strategies for balancing the three main areas you need to focus on to build a successful, creative business. Visit TheGoalWheelForArtists.com to get all the details today!

Producing art for sale is a business enterprise. Producing art for the pure pleasure of creating with no intent or plan for the sale of what you are creating is not considered a business enterprise. If you intend to market and sell the product you make you are entitled to all the benefits of being in business. But, if you are not really serious about generating income from your creative efforts, you are considered by the I.R.S. and the art world to be a hobbyist. A hobbyist is not entitled to business tax benefits.

Here are the basics “Benefit and Tax Deductions” of which you need to be aware:

Education
Anything related to furthering your skills and your craft are fully tax deductible – workshops, college or university courses, seminars, etc.

Promotional Materials
Includes all printed items such as brochures, stationary, mailing costs, slides, photographs and your website.

Travel
When you travel be sure to keep a record of all your travel expenses. They are fully tax deductible if they are business related. Most travel expenses such as auto and airline are deductible when you are presenting your work to galleries, collectors, and consultants, etc. When you travel take business cards with you. Contact galleries on your trips. Give them your card and get theirs.

Art Supplies
Paint, paintbrushes, canvas, paper and all materials used to create your product.

Your Studio
Your studio may be fully or partially deductible. If your studio is in your home you can deduct a portion. If it is a stand alone, take a full deduction including utilities, telephone, etc.

Entertainment
Related to your art business can be fully or partially deducted.

Record Keeping
Record all of your expenses by keeping receipts, a diary and notations in your checkbook.

Copyrights
All that is required to protect your original work is the placement of a “C” in a prominent place in the lower portion of your image with the year of completion and your signature.

Legal-Contracts
Contracts are usually designed and written by attorneys in legal language. Most people find contracts difficult to understand, especially, the fine print and terminology.

If you receive a contract from a gallery, print publisher or art agent, be sure you fully understand everything the contract means. Have an attorney review the contract so that you will be sure to understand and agree to all terms and conditions.

Your Social Security Account
As a self-employed business person the first portion of any federal taxes you pay will go directly into your social security account.

Joint Filing
If you are married and your spouse is employed by a company that automatically deducts taxes from his/her salary, you are entitled to deduct all of your business expenses from your joint tax liability.

Your Accountant
I have given you the basic tax and business benefits and deductions you can be entitled to, but you should consult with your accountant to verify your own legitimate deductions. It is important to understand that most businesses do not show a profit for the first three years. Business losses are part of doing business, but losses are deductible.

Budget
It is also extremely important that you establish a yearly advertising and promotional budget for your art business. At least 10% of all your sales should be set aside for this purpose.

You have heard the saying, “…that it takes money to make money.” This is so true. All businesses require capital (money) to get started and remain operational. As an artist your investment will be smaller than that required by most other kinds of business enterprises. Nevertheless, you must be fully committed financially to your business if it is to succeed.

Successful artists must have a passion for what they create. However, it is necessary to take care of or, at least, oversee the successfully marketing of your work. Again, remember that you can hire help for some of those business tasks. That’s what consultants and agents are for. Organize your budget to free yourself up to do what you do best…create art.

Arnold White has been a publisher and distributor of fine art prints for over 20 years. He is the President of Winner’s Circle Gallery, a firm that represents artists seeking to enter the print market. Mr. White serves as a consultant and reviews work from artists wanting to enter this market. You may contact Mr. White at Winner’s Circle Dept. AB, P.O. Box 4814, Palm Springs, CA 92263 or call (800) 748-6400. More on selling your artwork at: http://www.framehousegallery.com/WinnersCircleGallery/index.html Comments or questions can be sent directly to Arnold White swhite@DC.RR.com

Copyright usage: No permission is needed to reproduce an unedited copy of this article as long the About The Author tag is left in tact and hot links included. Comments or questions can be sent directly to Arnold White swhite@DC.RR.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arnold_White

http://EzineArticles.com/?Creating-Art-May-Be-Your-Passion,-But-Marketing-Art-Must-Be-Your-Business&id=335853