As an artist, you’re used to pouring all your focus, energy, and creativity into your art when you’re in the studio. But what happens when you step out of the studio and shift gears to run your art business? If you’re like many artists, that focus and organization might become a little scattered. But make no mistake—if you’re selling your work, you’re running a business, and giving your business the same structure and intention you put into your art can pay off in a big way.

Let’s face it: running the business side of things can feel overwhelming, especially when it’s competing for time and energy with your creative work. However, with some strategic planning, it’s possible to streamline your efforts, prioritize your time, and, ultimately, grow your business. Here are some ways to get started.

1. Set Your Priorities

At the core of any successful artist’s business is, of course, the art itself. Prioritizing your studio time should be non-negotiable. Ideally, this means carving out time for creation at the beginning of your day or at the very least during a dedicated block of time each day. Start with creativity when you’re freshest, allowing yourself to immerse fully in the process before you dive into administrative or promotional tasks. It’s essential to fiercely guard this time from distractions—think of your studio as a sanctuary for pure creativity, free from the interruptions of email, phone calls, or social media.

How can you protect your creative time? This might mean turning off notifications, setting up an autoresponder on email, or even letting loved ones know that during certain hours, you’re “off-limits.”

2. Step into Your Business Role

Once you’ve wrapped up your studio time, shift gears and put on your business cap. The to-do list for the business side of art can be long, and each task plays a role in helping you connect with collectors, manage sales, and keep everything running smoothly.

Think about all the hats you wear: email communicator, accountant, order manager, event planner, and social media marketer. With so much on your plate, it’s all too easy to feel like you’re constantly reacting to tasks that pop up instead of taking control. The answer lies in creating a proactive plan.

3. Plan an “Ideal Week”

Rather than scrambling to fit everything in, consider setting up a weekly schedule that organizes your time around specific tasks. Creating an “ideal week” schedule can help you feel in control. This concept, popular among productivity experts, encourages you to map out what your ideal week would look like and assign categories to each day or block of time. For instance, Mondays might be reserved for marketing tasks, Wednesdays for gallery outreach, and Fridays for accounting and inventory.

Your schedule doesn’t need to be rigid; it’s a framework that can adjust as needed. But by setting up a recurring structure, you’ll be better equipped to stay on track, ensuring that no essential tasks are neglected.

4. Use Task Management Tools

Having a reliable task management and scheduling system in place makes it easier to manage your workload. I personally use Todoist for tracking tasks, and Google Calendar for managing my time, but there are many options out there. Experiment to find what works best for you.

The key is to have a go-to place where you can record and organize all the tasks, big and small, that come with managing your business. This ensures you’ll always know what’s on your plate and can plan your days without scrambling or forgetting important steps.

5. Think Proactively, Not Reactively

One of the biggest challenges for artists is moving from a reactive to a proactive mindset. Rather than waiting for an email from a potential buyer or hoping that an upcoming show will get you noticed, actively plan your approach to each aspect of your business.

Start by brainstorming every task that needs your regular attention. Do a “brain dump” and write everything down. From there, group similar tasks together and think about when in your week you can tackle each category. The goal is to avoid “winging it” each day and instead take measured, intentional steps forward. This kind of discipline and structure allows you to focus on what really matters without feeling scattered.

6. Make Time for Goal Setting

Setting goals gives you a roadmap to follow, making it easier to keep moving forward. Your goals might include expanding your email list, establishing relationships with galleries, or developing a more consistent social media presence. Having a clear vision and set objectives gives purpose to your weekly routine and keeps your business moving in the right direction.

Getting Started with Your Ideal Week

Creating an organized structure for your art business takes time, and it’s a process of trial and error. Try experimenting with different approaches and see what works best for you. An ideal week is meant to evolve as your business grows and as your goals shift. Don’t be afraid to adapt your approach along the way.

Now, I’d love to hear from you. How do you structure your time as an artist? What time management methods have you tried, and which ones have helped you the most? Have certain techniques been a total bust? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments! Let’s help each other take control of our art businesses. And if you’re not already subscribed, be sure to join my newsletter for regular insights and tips on the art business journey.