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Howdy, art friend 😎

Did you know just posting lots of art isn't enough to make it?

I mean look around. The internet is littered with artists who want recognition, but get nowhere.

Just posting pieces for the void.

If you’re really, really good, maybe you can follow the “post and pray” strategy, but most people don't decide to start their art career while already masters.

If you ever want to make money from your creativity there’s a hard truth. You need a better strategy than post and pray. But understanding strategies usually cost time and energy. This is because you won’t truly understand the value of a system until you’ve tested it.

But, I like you.
So let me share mine.

After years of being an online artist I can say there are “5 friends” - I call them friends because you need to form a strong bond with each you want to go from art-zero to art-hero. You need to get to know them, hang out with them, and learn their middle names and secrets.

This is the one most artists start with.

Passion is the spark that drives an artist to do something stupid like try and have an art career (lol). It’s the reason you wake up excited to create, even when the road ahead looks big or messy. When things get tough (and they absolutely will sometimes) passion is the thing that keeps you from giving up.

You find it by paying attention to that tiny voice inside you that whispers, “This matters.” It’s not always loud. Sometimes it’s really quiet. Sometimes it’s a daydream that you can’t stop visiting.

But when you let yourself follow it, even in small steps, it starts to shape a clear vision of where you want to go. And the best part? Other people feel it. Passion is magnetic. It pulls people toward you and makes them want to be part of your world.

Passion is the center - it’s the fuel, the heart, the drive.

Everyone has natural gifts.

Yours are things you’re already good at without trying too hard. They’re the things you do that feel like breathing - you just do them, and for some reason, they turn out great. You’re likely overlooking them, because you never have to think about them.

Do you think about breathing? No. Same with your innate gifts.

If you’re not sure what your gifts are, look back at moments where things clicked effortlessly for you. Maybe you solved a problem quickly when others struggled. Maybe you created something beautiful in a short time. Or maybe those around you point out the things you do well, even when you shrug them off.

Ask around, pay attention to your past and present. They’re there. Just notice them.

Once you discover them, lean into them. When you start building with what comes naturally you give yourself a competitive advantage. Your gifts give you an edge because they’re unique to you.

Gifts are how you give your passion an edge in a crowded world.

Skills are the application of your craft.
The thing you practice and grow over time.

They’re not magical, they’re not instant, and you don’t have to be a genius to get good at them. You just need to be consistent.

Make frequent time to learn new techniques, refine your style, and get better little by little - small, frequent chunks of study is best. That means finding time in your busy life, clearing some mental energy, and showing up even when you feel a little tired. One quick sketch on the bus commute every day is worth more than making art for 8 hours one day a month.

Skill is important because people are drawn to technical mastery - watching someone do something effortlessly and skillfully captures attention. The better your work, the more likely what you create makes people hang around, explore your work, and follow your journey.

Your skills don’t have to be perfect. They just have to keep improving, step by step.

Skill sharpens the edge of your gifts and makes your passion stand out.

Your brand is how people understand and relate to you.

It’s the feeling they get from your work, your personality, your message, and your style. And honestly, marketing matters a lot. You could have the most amazing product or the coolest art, but if the right people don’t see it (or it fails to connect) it won’t go very far.

Good marketing is simply understanding what your audience cares about and showing them that you can help, inspire, or entertain them. Your brand is the bridge between what you create and the people who want it - whether for status, validation, or a story relevant to them.

When you communicate clearly and honestly with intention, people are more likely to connect with you. Marketing isn’t about being pushy - it’s about showing up in the right place in front of the right people - helping them find something they’ll genuinely love.

Your brand is how you make your gifts, skills, and passion relevant to your people

Platforms are the places where you show up - Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Discord, or wherever your fans like to hang out.

Every platform has its own little rules and quirks, and the more you understand them, the easier everything becomes. This isn’t about chasing algorithms or trying to “hack” anything. It’s about learning how people like to engage, how they discover new creators, and what types of content work best in each place.

You should be a guru of your chosen platform.

Your platform is where you share your work and inviting people into your world.

And when you show up (intelligently) where your audience already hangs out, it’s like meeting them on their home turf. It makes connecting simple, friendly, and fun - and that’s how you grow real relationships with fans who stick around.

Your platform is how you bring your brand, gifts, and skills to the right people where they are.

They’re like Captain Planet or the Power Rangers.

Put ‘em together, and your art career will naturally bloom. I did. Take it from one artist who made it. 10 years of making money from art. Thanks to these - thank god I took all that Marketing in business school before being an artist XD

You can use them too. It’s not mystical. It’s systems, practicality, and a fighting spirit to make it work.

Art-business has two words.
Mind the business half, and you’ll do just fine.

Peace and Love,
Brosatsu