Setting Income Goals

Start by deciding what you want to earn and over what period.

A month is the most useful time frame for most artists. It matches how overhead is calculated, how most artists think about sales volume, and how revenue from galleries and markets tends to arrive. Quarterly and annual targets are available too.

Set a realistic target. Not aspirational. Not demoralizing. A number you could actually hit if things go reasonably well in that period.

The planner builds scenarios around it. If the scenarios show the target is not achievable at your current prices and capacity, that is useful information... not failure. Either the target needs to adjust, or the prices do, or both.

The goal of setting an income target is to stop working without direction. A specific number gives you something to plan toward and something to measure yourself against.