One of the biggest challenges that artists regularly face (aside from creating art, that is) is finding a perfect balance between artistic integrity and commercial success. Easier said than done – isn’t it?
We all know that the art world is changing daily and with that – the public’s demand. For instance, television series featuring mythical and fictional historical families were all the rage a few years ago, but in the blink of an eye, we’re all about shows that reflect current events and real modern families (no pun intended) and issues; White Lotus, American Horror Story, and Euphoria have been the talk of the town over the last year. Naturally, trending topics and flavors of the time have posed a slight issue for artists like painters, actors, writers, and content creators. And compromising their creative integrity for a few moments of fame and success is not really a suitable option – or is it?
Artists are afraid of being labeled as sellouts. However, sometimes, to achieve commercial success, they feel the need to push their artistic integrity aside and conform to what the public demands. Well, we’re here to tell you otherwise! In this article, we’ll provide a few helpful tips on achieving this balance, even if it seems way out of reach. These strategies will help you remain true to your craft and earn commercial success in art.
Define Your Goals
Some artists create for the sole purpose of achieving global success. Others use it as a form of catharsis with no intention of reaching huge audiences. No matter in which group you find yourself, you can’t really put a concrete definition in both artistic integrity and commercial success. However, knowing your goals from the start will guide you in your desired direction, which will further help you make career decisions. As a result, you’ll be more focused and will keep you on track, meaning that your creative integrity won’t be compromised
Stay True To Your Craft
Let’s say that you’re a soulful jazz musician who is looking for a way to break through into the industry, but rap is currently all the rave right now. While it’s advised to experiment at some point during your career, trying to do it only to achieve commercial success will only get you so far. In fact, you’ll only hurt your artistic vision. That said, stick to the craft that speaks most to your heart – there will be more than enough time for experimentation. And who knows you might discover that you’re this generation’s new version of De La Soul!
Less Is More
No matter which artistic direction you’re taking, it’s essential that you prioritize quality over everything else. We’re all familiar with those artists who had their 5 minutes of commercial success and released a ton of quick-made content that didn’t generate the desired outcome in the end. So, take your time to create art that meets your standards and nobody else’s – this way, your artistic integrity will be well-maintained.
Engage With Your Audience
Have you ever gotten the chance for your favorite artist to tweet you or X you – what do you even call it these days? If your content got the attention of someone who inspires you immensely, you already know how special that feeling is! Well, even if you have a few million followers fewer than your fave, engagement goes a long way. When you drop new content, engage with your fans to see what they think of it. This way, you’ll be giving yourself a boost in commercial success, but you’ll also learn how to take care of your artistic integrity by knowing what your fans (dis)like.
Be Persistent
Speaking of favorites, “your” artist probably has a speech out there to always be consistent and to never give up on your dreams. While some people may find this as lame or cheesy positivity, we strongly advise you to block out that noise and keep these words close to your heart. Look towards the visionaries you admire and listen to how they got to where they are and use it as fuel to keep going and keep doing you! We all know that commercial success doesn’t happen overnight, so why not give it your all to ensure that your dreams come alive? But when you get there and look back on the experience, trust us – there’s no feeling like it!
We hope you enjoyed our strategies for balancing artistic integrity and commercial success! As always, make sure to read the rest of our articles, which will surely strike a creative motivational chord!
