INTERVIEW ON THE PRICE OF BUSINESS SHOW, MEDIA PARTNER OF THIS SITE.
Recently Kevin Price, Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business Show, welcomed Benjamin “BENCASSO” Barnes to provide another commentary in a series.
The Benjamin “BENCASSO” Barnes Commentaries
Welcome back, Artistpreneurs! I’m Benjamin Barnes, and in today’s episode of *The Coaches Corner*, we’re diving into how to build a sustainable income stream as a creative. Whether you’re a musician, artist, or content creator, I’ll walk you through some practical tips to make sure your passion not only thrives but pays the bills. Let’s jump in!
Diversifying Income Sources
One of the keys to financial stability as an artistpreneur is diversifying your income sources. Many artists rely too much on a single stream—like selling art or performing live —and when that source dries up, it can be devastating. Instead, build multiple revenue streams.
For example, I don’t just perform; I teach music, create digital content, sell artwork, and offer services online. This approach helps ensure that if one area slows down, others can still generate income.
You could offer online courses, teach lessons, or host workshops. For visual artists, consider selling digital prints or launching an Etsy shop. Musicians can explore options like session work or composing for media.
Creating Passive Income
Passive income is essential to long-term success. This is money that comes in with minimal ongoing effort, such as through licensing music, selling digital products, or creating merch.
For musicians, licensing your work for film, TV, or video games can provide ongoing revenue. Artists can use print-on-demand services like Redbubble or Teespring to sell their designs as T-shirts, phone cases, or posters. The beauty of passive income is that once the work is done, it continues to pay you over time.
Think about ways to monetize your art that don’t require constant effort but still deliver value to your audience.
Pricing and Valuing Your Work
One of the toughest challenges for artists is knowing how to *price* their work. It’s easy to undervalue yourself, but that can hurt your career in the long run. Pricing your work fairly means understanding the effort, skill, and time you’ve put in.
Do some market research—find out what other artists in your field are charging, and position yourself accordingly. Never be afraid to stand by your prices. Charging too little not only devalues your art but can also lead to burnout as you try to make up for the shortfall in volume.
Branding and Marketing
Your *brand* is what ties everything together. Whether it’s through social media, a website, or an email list, consistency in your messaging helps people understand who you are and what you offer. Strong branding builds trust, and trust leads to sales. Make sure your marketing is as thoughtful as the art you create.
Conclusion
That’s it for today, Artistpreneurs. Diversify your income, create passive streams, value your work, and build your brand. Stay creative, keep growing, and I’ll see you in the next episode of *The Coaches Corner*!
Benjamin Barnes, also known as Bencasso, is a multifaceted artist, musician, and entrepreneur. With a career spanning from performing as a classical and rock violinist to becoming a successful educator and executive director of Culture Scholar Corporation, a 501(c)(3), Benjamin has made a significant impact across various creative industries. He shares practical insights for artistpreneurs on his *The Coaches Corner* podcast, helping fellow artists grow their businesses. A survivor of a catastrophic injury, Benjamin has published over 1,290 recordings and is a passionate advocate for mental health, music education, and artist empowerment.
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Music Selections:
Bach Sonata no.3 in G Andante BWV 1029 played by Benjamin Barnes Viola and Margaret Wong Piano
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/1Fe334tY84B4cowT2rnNjO?si=b62beaf1bb1347e4
Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/albums/B09SRNX5B5? trackAsin=B09SRDQP7J&ref=dm_sh_f911-b73a-528d-3353-31d46
Bach Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring BWV 147
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/0i99Z8JPXbSumI0SuIQ3ka?si=754a6db4cba245c7
Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/albums/B09S2CVDWW? trackAsin=B09S2XB7ND&ref=dm_sh_dcf0-c8ad-2845-f445-9f439
Image at Bencasso Gallery https://www.bencasso.org
Social Media –
Instagram: https://instagram.com/benjamindavidbarnes – Facebook: https://facebook.com/benjamindavidbarnes – Twitter: https:// www.twitter.com/benjamindbarnes – Twitch: https://www.twitch.com/ bencasso – Redditt: https://www.reddit.com/user/bencasso – Tumblr:
https://www.tumblr.com/bencasso – All Links: https:// www.allmylinks.com/bencasso – Bencasso Links: https:// www.linktr.ee.com/bencasso – Violin Lessons https:// www.linktr.ee.com/violinlessons – Tax Deductible Donations: https:// www.culturescholar.org/donate – Tips: Venmo: @culturescholar – PayPal: PayPal@CultureScholar.org
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