Introducing One on One Art Business Coaching now available to all AASA members!

Part of our mission at AASA is to help educate and train our local artists. With that in mind we are now offering One on One Art Business Coaching calls for AASA members. 

So what does this mean exactly? First of all this is being retroactively offered to all current members (We wanted to clear that up). Essentially each artist will be able to book a one hour call with Alejandro after activating their membership. Calls will be conducted over Google meet or by phone. After answering a brief questionnaire, each artist will be able to book their call online using this link, Check available times/dates.

So what does a coaching call look like? Good question. Each call is a little different depending on individual artist needs. One artist might need help understanding sales tax and social media. While another artist may need coaching around starting a business or how to sell their art online. To get a better idea on what can be covered during your call here is a list of professional art advisory topics.

How do I launch my art business? (Business Startup & Taxes)

Have you put off registering your business entity because you were uncertain or what it requires? Or have you registered but aren't totally clear on what to do next? We can help you address how to file your legal entity document (DBA, LLC, or Sole Proprietorship). This can also include sales tax applications, EIN filing, and more. 

Haven't had a call yet, but have your AASA member dues paid? Book your call now --> Check available times/dates.

How do I price my art? I don't know where to begin.

Pricing is one of the biggest questions artists have about selling their art. Answering it is very simple, what's harder to answer is what price to start with and then how to price reproductions or even when to increase prices. As well as "What's 'break even"? "What's MSRP?", How to price commissions, and so on. Don't worry Alejandro has done it all and consulted traditional retail businesses on pricing as well.

Haven't had a call yet, but have your AASA member dues paid? Book your call now --> Check available times/dates.

I've sold some art! But what do I do with the money so I can keep growing? (Cash Flow)

Have you sold some art only to turn around and buy more supplies and are left with nothing for yourself? Or have you sold art but owe taxes and don't where the money is to pay it? Or did you spend it on bills and still have nothing left to grow your business? These are all issues that impact all small business owners, not just artists. The answer is to better understand how cash flows through your business. We will cover the fundamentals and give you a top level overview that you can understand and begin implementing as soon as you get off the call.

Haven't had a call yet, but have your AASA member dues paid? Book your call now --> Check available times/dates.

Help! I don't know how to grow my social media! (Social Media)

In this day and age your digital foot print as a business owner is the equivelant of showing up to a townsquare where your most likely audience gathers. If you're like most artists, this can feel overwhelming. Do you join all, a few or one? How do you grow? What's it all even for? These are all questions we can help answer for you, as well as help you develop a plan to fit your comfort level and help you understand the fundamentals of establishing your art business' digital presence. 

Haven't had a call yet, but have your AASA member dues paid? Book your call now --> Check available times/dates.

I know I need a website for my art but I don't feel confident on where to begin or how to start.

It's normal to still find artists out there that don't have a website. Most only have a Facebook or Instagram. Which is totally okay but to level up your art business you'll need a place you can own. Remember Myspace? It was here then gone, and with it all the pages that people used. Websites have come a very long way and there are even some really good ones made just for artists. We can walk you through a few and provide the best path forward for you to begin your own.

Haven't had a call yet, but have your AASA member dues paid? Book your call now --> Check available times/dates.

I see artists selling online all the time! How can I sell my art online like they do? (Ecommerce)

Ecommerce or (electronic commerce) is nothing new, it's been around since the mid 1990s. However, artists have always used more traditional means to sell their art. Only within the last decade have artists begun to sell their art online through various means. I'm sure you've heard of sites like Etsy, Fine Art America, Redbubble, Society6, or even Amazon! So how do you choose the best place for your art? What do they all do? We will help you understand what each kind of site does to help artists sell their art and which one could be best for you.

Haven't had a call yet, but have your AASA member dues paid? Book your call now --> Check available times/dates.

How do I navigate the art industry? I want to eventually have an art business that is sustainable, but don't know where to begin. (Career Planning)

Many artists know how to create but not many know where to begin their careers or how to get to where they want to be. Reading lots of art business books helps but they all have a difference in perspective. There needs to be a clear plan laid out to follow every step of the way. Well, we have one! It's called the 3 Phase Art Career Curriculum, and we'd love to show it to you. It explains what needs to happen in every phase for an artist to clearly define the necessary steps for their own success.

Haven't had a call yet, but have your AASA member dues paid? Book your call now --> Check available times/dates.

These are just some of the biggest questions asked by artists during the beginning, middle, and late stages of their careers. Every artist has their own set of challenges they must face but most will encounter very similar road blocks, especially when it comes to acquiring sound advice and knowledge. Each artist is responsible for seeking out the information they need if they wish to take control of their career. If and when you're ready book your call please use this link --> Check available times/dates.

After your first One on One call is completed you are under no obligation to commit to more calls. This is meant to help set you on the path you choose by providing proven advice from a professional in the art industry and a certified business advisor. However, should you wish to get more help you can request another call at artalliancesa+coaching@gmail.com. A one time $30 fee is required for each call. Book as you need them!

Alejandro has a Bachelor's degree from Arizona State University in Marketing/Ecommerce. He owned the Vino Dipinte Art Gallery in San Angelo, TX from 2011 - 2019. From 2018 - 2022 he was a Certified Business Advisor for the SBDC, helping hundreds of local businesses. He operates Arias Ariadne LLC along with Shelby, his wife. Their company manages three art websites including artialliancesanangelo.com.

Contact us to join! artalliancesa@gmail.com