Short reviews of the best books for artists.
If you want success, it helps to be curious. Be a seeker searching for truth, wisdom, and understanding. If you look in the right places, you will find answers and new paths to follow. Paths that lead to new career heights.
There nearly always is a better, more efficient way to do things. You can do like Thomas Edison and try 10,000 methods to figure something out.
I think a faster way is to get a mentor or read a book. Since mentors are hard to find and expensive, I’m recommending you read the books I have listed here.
The useful ideas you find in books may offer the greatest rate of return on investment you will ever make.
Here are a couple of caveats before we dive in.
First, I’m using my Amazon affiliate link so if you click on something and buy it, I’ll make a small fee ($.60 on $9.99 Kindle books) for having turned you on to the book, and your price is the same whether you use my link or not.
Secondly, this is a subjective and non-inclusive list. While I’m sure there are many other valuable art business books for artists to read, I’m confident reading any of these will boost your career if you take action on the wisdom they impart. Please feel free to add your suggestions to the comments.
Let’s get this out of the way.
Since I have written five books on art marketing, I believe I must list a couple here lest both you and I think me a fool. If  by doing this it causes you think of me as a shameless self-promoter, I humbly and gladly accept your opinion. Moreover, I advise you to follow my lead and look for unique ways to promote and gain interest in your art. You must know how to toot your horn, or no one will do it for you.
Practical advice for any artist seeking to sell to interior designers.  BUY |
The Artist’s Way is a special book for all who have a creative soul. BUY |
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This book is your definitive guide how to get into an art gallery. Â BUY |
Making sense of the money you make. Helpful guides and worksheets. BUY |
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Full of motivational advice on how to market your work. BUY |
Comprehensive approach to building a prosperous, lengthy art career. BUY |
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Hand’s down the best book for artists on writing for their career. BUY |
Full of tips and techniques every artist can use to sell more art. BUY |
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Unique insights into the world of getting your art sold online. BUY |
The contract, invoice, and inventory templates are worth the price. BUY |
I’m aware of glaring omissions. I could have included books by Brainard Carey, Jackie Battenfield, Daniel Grant, Tad Crawford, Austin Kleon, Steven Pressfield and too many others to name. Because my advice tends to the practical side of how to succeed in the business of art, I stuck mostly with books that do the same.
LEVERAGE
The only way to get exponential growth in your career is through leverage. You, for sure, cannot expect to skyrocket sales by doing things the same ways you do them now. There is valuable advice in each one of these books. You only need one solid tip to leverage the cost of the book and your time to finesse it to start taking giant steps. Do this on a repeat basis and you will grow your business beyond your imagination.
I’m interested in your feedback. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section.
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Very good list, and I would add Jack White’s books also!
Thanks for commenting. Great suggestion. Here is the link to Jack’s book page Books by Jack White
Nice to see you list books to read. I’ve read a number of these and agree, if you gain even one new idea, then the investment was worth it.
Thank you. It’s nice to have a prioritized list….and since I reread your Guerilla Marketing book I can say I’ve got one down already….still implementing
Barney, you mentor hundreds with this blog every time a post appears. Your Art Marketing Mastery Workshop is about as close to sitting face to face with you as it can get. Plus the on-line interchange between participants adds so much! I’m blessed to be included.
Thank you. What is the best book for artist and social media?
I’m not aware of a book written about social media for artists. If anyone has suggestions, please comment to let us know.
Can i ask where are you based in? And how can we know about any seminars or talks you give?
Sure, my business is located in Scottsdale, AZ. I always announce all seminars and workshops through this newsletter.
Thank you for sharing my book, Barney. I’m honored to be on this list.
My pleasure, Alyson. Your book should be on the bookshelf of every artist!
Thank you as always!! You are an artists friend!
Enjoy seeing others who have learned similar techniques and lessons. Some great insightful books here, they can really change how someone looks at not only the business behind art, but also how we see art itself. Awesome selection here!
Can’t wait to get started on these. Lots of changes happening for me lately, that will yield positive results. Keep up the amazing work.