Artist - Building a Website???
Artist - Building a Website? - That’s crazy talk. What on Earth… Why?
Why would an artist go through all the trouble to learn how to build a website? I’m still asking myself that question. I think frustration is a large part of the equation. With the cost of Art fairs, travel, gallery commissions, etc. It seemed everyone was making money but me. “I” as the artist was doing all the work and receiving little reward for my efforts. There are some very good galleries out there, some of which really sell “you and your work” making the 30,40 - 50% commissions worth while. Those galleries typically cater to collectors and serious Art buyers, the recognition we all hope for as Artist. As an Artist you need to have your work seen. Just having a store front doesn’t help if there is no traffic, advertisement, and or communications being transfered.
Don’t get me wrong it is not easy starting a small business its just the avenue I have chosen to pursue. I would like to share some of the steps that I took in order to get to the point where I am today. That being Step one. The order of steps is critical in some cases. I have learned first hand and have worked backwards in many cases. Hopefully if you are headed down this path I can save you some trouble.
Kansas SBDC (Small Business Development Center) is a great place to start.
It Is a free service!!! You will take something away from visit. In hindsight its where I should have started.
https://business.ku.edu/research-and-faculty/centers/ku-sbdc
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I do not have a social media following of any kind, so I am starting this from ground zero. My plan is to give my website www.prairieorigins.art one year then revisit and reevaluate. I could use any and all help along the way, Constructive criticism included. ———————————————————————————————————————
I decided to use SquareSpace for my website. There are many, many, Many others.
I’m starting with the Business platform for Ecommerce with Paypal Business for online payments. I may back off depending on online sales and shipping. A lot of my merchandise is very heavy and its not affordable to ship. Dropping back to the personal level is an option but removes all online sales. I can keep my online presence but must use POS for transactions. I’m guessing that the majority of my sales will be local or midwest in origin. I am planning on doing local events, selected Art fairs and possibly teaching class.
I am using ”SQUARE” - Business and “VENMO” for POS Point of Sales.
Start a Business Bank Account to keep any connections to personal assets completely separate. Thats the First rule of and LLC.
Do not Co-Mingle Business and Personal “Anything“
I will be using ”SQUARE Business” and “VENMO” for POS Point of Sales.
You need a Domain Name - $12-20 Month plus your website cost
Monthly Website - $16, $23, $27, $49 A month ( See specific plans ) and Suppliers
You need a EIN - Federal Employee Identification Number for business and Taxes - Free Service
My LLC - Cost $166.00
Kansas Dept of Revenue - Kansas Business Tax Application (Do this after you recieve your EIN)
Defining: Business vs. Hobbie Artist
IRS Tax Tip 2021-94, June 30, 2021
Many people are engaged in hobby activities that are also a source of income. For example, some people started selling handmade items during the pandemic. These people must report this income on their tax return.
A hobby is any activity that a person pursues because they enjoy it and with no intention of making a profit. This differs from those that operate a business with the intention of making a profit.
In determining whether their activity is a business or hobby, taxpayers must consider nine factors.
These factors are:
Whether the activity is carried out in a businesslike manner and the taxpayer maintains complete and accurate books and records.
Whether the time and effort the taxpayer puts into the activity show they intend to make it profitable.
Whether they depend on income from the activity for their livelihood.
Whether any losses are due to circumstances beyond the taxpayer's control or are normal for the startup phase of their type of business.
Whether they change methods of operation to improve profitability.
Whether the taxpayer and their advisors have the knowledge needed to carry out the activity as a successful business.
Whether the taxpayer was successful in making a profit in similar activities in the past.
Whether the activity makes a profit in some years and how much profit it makes.
Whether the taxpayers can expect to make a future profit from the appreciation of the assets used in the activity.
All factors, facts and circumstances with respect to the activity must be considered. And, no one factor is more important than another.
If a taxpayer receives income from an activity that is carried on with no intention of making a profit, they must report the income they receive on Schedule 1, Form 1040, line 8PDF.
The 9 factors listed above still leave a lot to be misconstrued. I have no problems adding my hobbie sales to my income taxes. Yes, I’m trying to make a profit maybe even a supplemental income, but I’m not trying to make a living, employee people, provide health insurance or file losses. I started down this path making art for myself because I enjoyed creating - I found others enjoying my art in the same manner as myself. I love to share this part of myself with them.
In Closing: The entire Business start up and my website has cost far less then what I have lost in fees and commissions. Keep in mind I have a lost weeks if not a month of learning and building a web site. This is all time taken away from creating. I have been warned that getting caught up in developing, upkeep and Social Media can eat your artistic life away. My plan going forward is pursuing contacts, website hits. Passing out business cards, word of mouth, Events, friends. family and followers.
At some point I may need evaluate the need to join Social Media (not my favorite) So far its not for me, I prefer a hand shake a smile and a hug to emoji’s………
Other Topics I’m considering: Past & Future Art - Crafts - Copying - Prints - Originals -
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