The Online Art Business Wellness Check | Stop the Starving Artist
Stop the Starving Artist
A Free Diagnostic for Artists
The Online Art Business Wellness Check
You sell your art in real life. So why isn’t it selling online? Find out in 10 minutes.
Step 1 of 3 · The Numbers
Let’s start with the numbers that matter.
Tell us what you sell and what you want to make — and we’ll show you exactly how many people need to see your work, sign up for your list, and how often you need to make offers to hit that goal.
All optional. Enter what you actually sell — we’ll use these to model what hitting your goal looks like at each tier.
Online sales only — not in-person events, shows, or commissions you got from real-world relationships.
Step 2 of 3 · The 14-Post Audit
Go look at your last 14 posts right now.
Open your Instagram. Scroll through the last 14 posts. We’re going to count what kind of content you’re actually putting out — not what you think you’re putting out.
Why we’re looking at your content this way
Most artists lead with the art. They post finished pieces, process videos, studio shots — and then wonder why nobody’s buying.
The reason is simple: people don’t buy art online the same way they do in real life. When someone walks into a gallery or a market, they already trust the space. They’re there because they’re ready to look, ready to consider, sometimes ready to buy.
Online, people aren’t showing up to buy art. They’re showing up to be educated, entertained, or inspired.
This is why so many artists end up only reaching other artists. If your feed is just process videos and finished work, the only people who feel educated, entertained, or inspired by it are the people who already make art for a living. Everyone else scrolls past.
If you want to reach more people, your job is to get them to connect with you as a person — because you don’t just make art. You are the art. The faster someone connects with your values, your story, and your ideas, the more likely they are to want the work. By the time they see the piece, it doesn’t just represent you anymore — it represents them too.
The most effective way to sell your art online is by allowing people to fall in love with the artist and the art.
Lennon BoneFounder · Stop the Starving Artist
✕
Don’t do this
What most artists post
🖼️Finished painting
🎥Process video
💸New piece available
📩Commission open
People see the art. They don’t know the artist. They don’t buy.
✓
Do this
What builds buyers
💭Your mission / why
💫What you believe in
❤️Your values
🎨Your work (with story)
People know the artist. They trust the artist. They buy.
The goal: 40% mission, 40% values and who you are, 20% your work.
Your first 14 posts — in order
Posts 1–4: Show YOU as the artist
Your face, your story, real life. Let people meet the human behind the work before you ever show them the work.
Posts 5–8: Share your mission
How you want to change your corner of the world AS A PERSON, not as a painter. The mission is about a PERSON and what they deserve — NOT about art.
Example: “I believe every person who has lost someone deserves to feel like that relationship still matters.”
Posts 9–11: Share your values
What you believe about people and the world, with no art mentioned.
Example: “I believe slowing down is a radical act in a world that rewards constant output.”
Posts 12–13: Show your work with the story behind it
Now — finally — the work. With the why baked in.
Post 14: Make an offer or CTA to your list
A waitlist is simply a group of people who’ve told you they want to know when you have something available to buy.
QUESTION 1
How many posts showed YOU as the artist — your face, your story, your personality, something real from your life?
Example: “I filmed a quick clip talking about why I made this piece — just me talking to camera.”
0/ 14 posts
QUESTION 2
How many posts talked about your MISSION — the change you want to make in the world as a PERSON?
The mission is about a person and what they deserve. The art is secondary.
Example: “I believe every child deserves to be told from day one that they are seen, heard, and loved — that’s why I make what I make.”
0/ 14 posts
QUESTION 3
How many posts shared your VALUES — something that shows who you are as a human, not just as an artist?
No art. Just what you believe about people and the world.
Example: “I believe slowing down is a radical act in a world that rewards constant output.”
0/ 14 posts
QUESTION 4
How many posts showed or talked about your actual ARTWORK — finished pieces, process, behind the scenes?
0/ 14 posts
QUESTION 5
How many posts included a clear CTA to join your list or waitlist?
A waitlist is simply a group of people who’ve raised their hand to be notified first when you have something available to buy.
Example: “Comment LIST below and I’ll DM you the link.”
0/ 14 posts
QUESTION 6
How many posts made a DIRECT OFFER — “here is something available for you to buy right now”?
Example: “This piece is available. DM me or click the link.”
0/ 14 posts
QUESTION 7
Do you have an email list or waitlist?
An email list is a group of people who’ve given you their email address. A waitlist is people who’ve specifically asked to know when you’re selling next.
QUESTION 8
Are you emailing your list regularly?
“Regularly” means at least twice a month — not just when you have something to sell.
QUESTION 9
Are you making offers in those emails?
An offer in an email is as simple as “I have three pieces available this week — here’s how to get one.”
Step 3 of 3 · Almost there
Your results are ready.
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