Starting a Bussiness

[becky2]

How would you start an art bussiness from the internet for someone who is just starting in this feild. How does one stay away from internet scams. I stumbled on one of those just recently. I attended a workshop at my local community college and currently teach art with special ed students

Rebecca

[timelady]

You may want to ask this over in the General business forum for more advice. :) My advice would be:
1. Decide what business you want to be in. Selling your original art? Representing other artists? Selling reproductions?
2. Make a business plan - outlines for business plans can probably be found online. I called a bank for their small business information pack and it included TONS of information and a form for filling in the basics of a business plan. This helped me decide exactly what my aims were for my business.
3. Decide if you will be trading on the internet, using it as a marketing tool, or both (or something else!). Basically think about how the internet can help you meet your business goals.

Setting up an internet business is still just setting up a business. Start with your bank or local small business advice centre. Remember to look into your finances too - internet business takes investment (time and/or money) and advertising, for submitting to search engines, designing the pages (or getting the software to design the pages), etc.

Tina.