Recently, a venue approached artist Robert Yonke to have a show later this year. It’s always exciting when a gallery offers an artist a solo exhibition opportunity, and a first assumption is usually of course. Yet, after reviewing the calendar and his current inventory, we decided to pass.
Why would any artist turn down an opportunity for a live in-person solo show after the year we just had?
The truth is, he sold a good bit of work throughout 2020 into this year, and there wasn’t enough time for him to build up a quality body of work to fill the space in time. As an artist that does not work well under pressure, it could have been counterproductive for business this year. So, we asked to schedule it for a later date, and the gallery thankfully accepted our request.
The moral of the story.
Sometimes you have to say no. And, it is perfectly Ok. When presented with a chance to show work, it’s easy to want to jump right at the opportunity. But, you have to consider the long game, your current goals, and whether or not it will work in the overall big picture of your business.
A Shameless Plug
I’m proud to say that because we have relied heavily on a consistent art marketing system, he sold art during the pandemic without missing too much of a beat – even though Covid canceled his largest in-person biggest selling event of the year. Going into the pandemic with the system already in place made a big difference for him.
When Does it Make Sense to Say No?
There are times when you should say no in your art business. Here are some ideas as to when this might make sense for you:
When you need to reduce your stress level.
If you feel overwhelmed and overcommitted, you might consider a pause on all new activities and commitments until you can assess your situation and figure out which activities and events should take precedence. Your decision does not have to be final, and you can consider a temporary “no,” as with Robert’s show.
When it Disrupts a Routine that is Working for You
If you have found a routine that is working and bringing you results, you might want to say “no” if the new activity will disrupt what you are currently doing. You can say yes when you can figure out a way to add the commitment alongside your successful routine.
When You Don’t Have Time To Prepare
While perfection can be the enemy of progress, you also don’t want to be woefully underprepared for an opportunity. Take a good look at your calendar and timeline before committing to a new activity. The worst thing would be to be unprepared and make a poor showing.
When It’s Not a Good Fit
Sometimes opportunities present that are not a good fit for your work or your business goals. Having a solid vision of where you want your business to go will help you identify whether an opportunity is one that you should take.
Your time is valuable! This post isn’t to encourage you to say no but rather to be discerning and thoughtful about how you move forward in your business. And then, you are able to say yes confidently when the time is right.
Share Your Story
Do you have an example of a time when it made sense for you to say no? I’d love to hear about it. Please send me a note at becky@artisan-advantage.com.
Photo by Gemma Evans on Unsplash
