Every day, I talk with artrepreneurs who want to learn more about licensing, but have no idea where to turn, and thankfully, I’m the perfect person to help– because I’ve been EXACTLY where you are.
I have some very important information to share with you today that might just change your business. Let’s talk!
If you’re considering licensing your art, you’re probably feeling a mixture of excitement, fear, and confusion. I’m about to break things down to make this step feel as simple and clear as possible.
To license your art, you don’t have to be the best artist in the world. You just have to follow the right steps, and I’ll lead the way!
Most artists focus on their portfolio, but don’t realize that aside from art, they need to learn how to negotiate in order to get the best licensing deal possible. It starts with a written contract.
DISCLAIMER: I am not an attorney. So please don’t take this as legal advice. Rather, I am sharing from my own 10+ year experience of being a profitable artist, in the hopes that I can help you navigate some of the trickier parts of being an artist who creates income.
The reason you need a written contract with a business who’s interested in licensing your art (buying it to use for commercial purposes) is to communicate clear expectations about how your art will be used, and what you will get in return.
Today I’m sharing about the negotiation stage of licensing deals to help you on your journey to becoming a profitable professional artist.
Many artists, when they do find themselves in the amazing position of negotiating an art licensing contract, want to just sign it and get it over with, but there are some steps you should take before making a formal agreement.
So, while I’m not a lawyer and can’t give you legal advice, I can share some best practices I’ve learned along the way as a fellow artist once you’ve hit this stage of art licensing:
Negotiate Your Contract Terms: One of the best tips I could ever give is that companies expect you to negotiate! Look out for yourself, and have your own back. Now, I don’t always negotiate a contract that is given to me if I think the terms are fair, but it does not hurt to push back at least a little and try to make any agreement better for you.
Retain Copyright and IP: One of the first things you’ll want to negotiate on is your copyright. You DO NOT want to give your copyright away, because you can leverage your art through other income streams if you still have the rights! Look for an intellectual property section in the contract and make sure you are only licensing your designs, NOT giving them away.
Higher Royalties: Ask the company to give the first suggestion of royalty rates. You NEVER want to risk low-balling them if they might have given you higher royalties on their own. Once they give you a number, you can start trying to raise the bar. Many companies will first offer a flat fee instead of royalties, but I have made more money over time when I ask and receive a royalty.
Contract Essentials: Make sure your contract specifies the scope of your work they’ll be using, the schedule you’ll get paid on, the permitted uses and exclusive rights of your work, the geographical areas where the rights are enforced, and the channels and images being used.
Also, make sure the contract includes thumbnail photos of your licensed artwork, and is specific about your payment terms.
Seek Professional Legal Services: There can be some tough gray areas in art licensing, and sometimes you might need a bit of help. If you’re unsure about some important details, I highly recommend hiring a consultant or lawyer to review the contract. They can help you avoid pitfalls and optimize the contract for you.
Experience Matters: The best companies to work with are ones that have experience with licensing, and already have established contracts. You will have a MUCH smoother time working with them than you would with companies who are trying out licensing for the first time.
Gamify Negotiations: You know I’m all about mindset shifts. Think of licensing as a game where you see what you can ask for and get. This can make the process really fun!
Learn from Experts: Reading books or watching YouTube videos and TikToks by successful negotiators can make you feel more informed and ready to make your own deals.
Keep a List of Asks: As you license more and more art, keeping a list of common requests you make in contracts can make negotiating easier each time.
The art world does NOT have to be intimidating! Stay tuned, I have plenty more posts coming that will make these tough topics feel simple.
These steps of your art career are MUCH easier to navigate when you’re surrounded with fellow artists and mentors who can help you in real time.
What are you waiting for? This is your time to jump in and change your own life. Let’s make your dreams come true together!
