Some tips to enter — and navigate — the crypto art space as a traditional artist (a thread):

1. Know that you belong. (I’m a mindset freak, and I gotta start here.) Understand that, as a 2D artist, you’re not going to see a lot of work that looks like yours. Believe that’s a good thing, and lean into that advantage of being different. There's space for you here.

2. Then, SHOW UP like you belong. If you move and speak like you don’t belong, it’ll read that way. Show up and stake your claim. It’s yours just as much as it’s anyone else’s.

3. Be encouraged that you are on the cutting edge of this digital movement — a renaissance. Nobody knows what they’re doing, and we’re all trying to figure it out. It’s part of the process of being a pioneer. Isn’t it fun?

4. Understand your competitive advantage. Just like in the traditional space, there are artists aplenty. Know that what separates you from the pack is your advantage; leverage it, and don’t shy away from sharing and exploring what makes you stylistically and narratively unique.

5. Don’t try and look like everyone (or anyone) else. Of course, if you’re interested in exploring a different medium or you want to try 3D rendering or you're inspired, explore that! But don’t get stuck in comparison and think that what you see is the *only* way.

6. Be intentional about the work that you mint. Create NFTs out of your best work; respect the space, and respect your work. It’s taken you a long time to get here, and you’re worth intentionality and strategic positioning.

7. Have realistic expectations. Don’t put all your eggs in the crypto basket; integrate this into your existing marketing strategy. It shouldn’t be your bread and butter immediately. Work up to it, if that’s how you see the trajectory of your career.

8a. Tell your story, and continue to tell your story. Just like the average consumer today wants to know they’re purchasing jeans made sustainably and with ethically-sourced materials, art collectors want a peek behind the scenes...

8b. They want to know who you are, why you make art, and why you made that piece specifically. What’s your genesis story? Who inspires you? What drives you to create? Talk about it, and don’t stop talking about it. People buy into the artist as much as they buy into the art.

9. Invite your existing collectors into the space. If you already have a client base “in space,” tell them your work is available for investment as crypto collectibles, too. If they’re not ready to buy crypto art, that’s cool. If they are? Even cooler.

10a. Engage with the crypto art community. I’m not the only one that would attest to the empathy, compassion, and support of this group of people. Share your NFTs on Twitter, tag me, explore the crypto community, and build friendships in fellow artists and in collectors.

10b. The greatest thing that separates this community from any other (especially art-wise) is the encouragement, the love, and the tangible support. The mentality is “when one of us wins, we all win.”

I hope this helps! I'm a traditional artist entering the space myself, and sharing the journey via @Medium — check out this article and follow along for more. (And please share if you found this insightful or encouraging!)

https://sophiesturdevant.medium.com/navigating-new-territory-getting-started-in-crypto-art-as-a-traditional-artist-f1383e78a392