Recession? Bah!

Flaming June by Frederick Leighton, circa 1895  Art.com

If you think the recession is hurting your art business, think of some things you can do to fill the down time, instead of wringing your hands.

Take action on all those tasks that you haven't had time to do. When the economy picks up again (and history says it will), you will have fortified your art business.

Here are some ideas -

• Compile or organize your customer database.
• Jazz up or create an email signature
• Move customer database to a new system if needed.
• Organize your art supplies, clean the studio.
• Back up all your images onto CD-Rom.
• Back up your website.
• Add your newer images to your website.
• Work on your marketing
• Create a direct mailing campaign
• Figure out how Google Adwords works and if it would be an appropriate way to advertise your art.
• Figure out and add alternate payment solutions like Google Checkout to your site.
• Compare mailing fees and options at FedEx, UPS, USPS.
• Look for more cost effective ways of shipping your art.
• Create some Squidoo pages for free (they also earn money)
• If you don't have a way to accept credit cards, compare Google Checkout, PayPal, and other ways you could start accepting them.
• Shop around to see who has the lowest prices for the supplies you regularly use.
• Learn about affiliate marketing; consider adding affiliate ads to your site or blog where considered appropriate (Google Adsense for example)
• Follow up on past quotes and leads
• Experiment and learn new art techniques, skills, or try a new art tool: (Rent art instruction videos)
• For new ideas, Order a free art supply catalog from Dick Blick

Don't forget to add your own tasks and ideas to this list!  Every day, do something for your art business. The economy may be stagnant, but that doesn't mean you have to be!