When it comes to truly blazing your own trail, there may be no better time to be an artist. The digital world has expanded so rapidly in recent years that it is now easier than ever to create your own platform and reach your own community without relying on any middlemen or gatekeepers.
We are seeing this artistic explosion in so many avenues. Soundcloud musicians have turned into national stars. Amateur photographers have turned their passion into a way of life by promoting their work on Instagram. And YouTube has given rise to an army of influencers — and downright stars — who showcase their creativity for the whole world to see.
Almost overnight, creatives have gained massive followings and turned that into booming businesses by selling their artwork, products, or services. One drawback, however, is that artists and creatives may not have all the business savvy of old-world executives who formerly controlled the pursestrings. So these burgeoning companies may be a bit more vulnerable than some more traditional enterprises.
This doesn’t mean you have to operate in fear, however. With just a little effort, any e-commerce artist can follow a few key best practices to keep your business safe and growing long into the future.
1. Intellectual Property Protection
The more successful you are, the more people will try to take what’s yours. This is true in any field but something that is especially rampant in the creative world. If you design the hottest fashion trend of the summer, for example, you can rest assured that somebody will try to rip off your hard work. The same goes for graphic designers and singers who put their work online. It won’t be long until you see it appear somewhere else — without your authorization.
In such cases, you need to fight back. Report illicit social media posts as abuse and issue DMCA takedown notices whenever you see a violation. In the eye of the law, defending your intellectual property helps to reinforce your ownership. So when it comes to protecting your art and creative works, the best defense is a good offense.
2. Employing Digital Security
Many successful e-commerce artists have a large following on social media. While this visibility is the lifeblood of their success, it can also leave them a bit exposed. Malicious actors are attracted to popularity like moths to a light and some may try to enact attacks out of sheer jealousy. This is why all artists must protect their digital presence, privacy, and identity.
In addition to password protection and other obvious strategies, many have started to use LifeLock plans, for example. With a proven track record in helping people and businesses stay protected digitally, this is one great strategy that e-commerce artists can employ. It will help you protect your identity even when the hackers do their worst.
3. Don’t Sign Bad Deals
It can be cliché to say artists don’t know how to dot their Ts and cross their Is when it comes time to sign a contract. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Sadly, we have seen so many musicians and artists ripped off over the years by unscrupulous execs in fancy suits.
Hiring a lawyer and having an expert read through any deal will always be prudent. But more than that, you just need to practice common sense. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. And more and more, there are people who will try to take advantage of newly popular creatives.
Staying Safe as an E-Commerce Artist
Staying safe is difficult in this day and age. And that goes double for those in the artist community who want to spend much more time being creative rather than worrying about business school best practices.
Still, some strategies are essential to keeping your company safe. You need to prioritize intellectual property protection, safeguard yourself with digital security, and stay away from bad deals. If you are able to navigate these three areas, you will be able to go on creating beautiful art — and profiting from your hard work.
