Self-Made Artist Academy
Turn your art into a sustainable career using this step-by-step program to gain the business knowledge you need.
What if I told you it’s possible to make a sustainable living from your art? We’re talking all bills paid, having decent healthcare coverage, and some extra money for - dare I say it - new art supplies. (More art supplies is always a good idea, right?)
It’s time to invest in your future and fast-track yourself to feeling confident and able to make the money you need to live from your art.
I’ll teach you my exact method for creating various revenue streams, pricing like a pro so you can grow from aspiring to established with ease.
I’m pulling back the curtain on my systems and processes that took me years of trial and error to master, so you can implement what works and uplevel your business in a fraction of the time.
It’s time to invest in your future and fast-track yourself to feeling confident and able to make the money you need to live from your art.
Before I tell you all about this life-changing program, let’s talk about who this is really for…
You’re an artist who can’t imagine a dreamier job than pursuing your art full-time. Your passion for your art has you ready to embrace the business know-how that’s standing between you and living your dream (and earning the additional income you deserve). No starving-artist mentality allowed here.
Maybe you’re a photographer or a painter or an illustrator or a sculptor or a dancer or a chef or a musician or an author or maybe even a graphic designer (like me!). If you are a motivated creative of any type, you’re in the right place.
Self-Made Artist Academy will give you the tools, inspiration, and support you need in your journey to a successful arts business.
By the end of this self-paced course, you will have:
Defined where you’re at now and where you’re going
Developed multiple streams of revenue that are unique to your craft and interests
Learned expert pricing strategies to earn your worth (plus tax)
Shifted your mindset to think bigger + identify new opportunities
Leveled up your professionalism, allowing you to confidently charge more
Created a personalized roadmap with clear next steps, making your success inevitable
What our students have to say...
"Loved the course!!! So much great info and many wonderful tips I wish I'd had when I was just getting started in my own business several years ago! Everything was clearly and concisely laid out and easy to understand in an engaging way. I'm thankful to have access to this course for 6 months in case I want to revisit anything!" - Dorey, SMAA Student
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“Awesome teacher, so well planned and thought out. The sharing of this knowledge and resources is so helpful!” - Maria, SMAA Student
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“I love what you are doing. The whole thing has been very valuable.” - Duffy, SMAA Student
“Chelsie is charming, friendly, personable and makes you feel good about yourself. Working with her is the perfect thing for helping someone navigate their way through an unknown process for the first time. Her communication skills are exceptional. With Chelsie in your corner, you can’t fail.” - Kirk Perry, first-time author
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“Chelsie was the perfect person to help build my brand and business, and I never could have imagined a better outcome, not to mention getting to work with an overall incredible person and phenomenal designer.” - Bailey, artist + owner of CandleTit, LLC
Hey there! If we haven’t met yet, I’m Chelsie - a business-savvy lettering artist, designer, educator, and your new go-to resource for all things arts business.
Since starting my business Lettering Works in 2016, I’ve created art products (like greeting cards and stickers), designed murals, worked on large-scale campaigns, taught lettering and branding workshops, and even self-published two books. My work is sold in local gift shops around Chicago and Peoria including the Field Museum, Chicago History Museum, Peoria International Airport, and Wrigleyville Sports.
Aside from a minor in Marketing, I had no business experience when I started. But I’ve learned so much throughout my five years operating Lettering Works and am ready to help you bypass the trial-and-error period I experienced (we’re talking going from earning under $15K in my first year to six-figures annually since 2019) to accelerate your potential and success.
I totally get that owning your own business and pursuing art full-time can feel intimidating (society’s endless pressure on us creatives doesn’t help). Maybe you don’t feel like your work is good enough yet or that business will always be too overwhelming to master.
Owning your own arts business isn’t easy. That’s exactly why I’m here working so hard to get this precious business knowledge into your hands. I’m ready to guide you through each step so you can move forward confidently in the direction of your dreams.
The world needs more artists.
More artists who are compensated fairly. More artists who can advocate for themselves and others. It is my mission to guide and inspire you to become the business-savvy creative I know you can be.
Explore What's Inside: All 6 Self-Paced Training Modules outlined below come with videos, PDF guides, and worksheets
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Module 01: Know Your Numbers
Knowing where you’re at currently is the first step to defining where you want to go next.
You’ll learn…
• Best practices for tracking income and expenses
• What a realistic goal for your next 12 months looks like
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Module 02: Diversifying Your Income Streams
We’ll explore leveling up your product offerings so you’re on track to earn more money consistently to provide you greater freedom.
You’ll learn…
• Different products and services to add to your business
• Strategies for building passive income
• The importance of defining your target market (and how to do it)
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Module 03: Pricing Like a Pro
No more dancing around (or just straight up avoiding) the payment conversation. If you currently dread sharing the price of your work (either because you know you’re selling yourself short or fear no one will pay you at all), this module alone will be well worth your investment.
You’ll learn…
• Common mistakes when pricing your work
• ALL the things to consider to make sure you’re not losing out in the end
• Which pricing method is right for you based on what you offer
• How to define the perfect product mix
• And a bonus dose of mindset work...because I believe you’re worth every penny and you can too!
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Module 04: Developing Higher Value Offerings
Let’s push all the low ticket commissions to the side for a moment and talk about where the real money is at for your business.
You’ll learn…
• Why it’s important to have higher value offers
• How to craft your perfect high-ticket offer
• What expectations differ in a premium or luxury market
• Ways to add value to what you’re already doing
• A hack to finding clients who value you more just the way you are
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Module 05: Systems and Processes
If you want to make the big bucks with your art, you’re probably going to need the professional systems and processes to complement your work up. We’ll say goodbye to any signs of imposter syndrome by internally leveling up your business across the board.
You’ll learn…
• How to manage your business properly
• Effective strategies for sales and promotions
• How to create a stellar customer experience
• Ways to plan your business around your own creative process
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Module 06: Roadmap to $100K
Spoiler alert: You can put any number in the blank “Roadmap to ____” but if you’re here, chances are you’re not afraid of dreaming big. Rest assured, the pressure is NOT on to make $100K in your first year (remember it took me three years to get there)
You’ll learn…
• Some simple math that will change the way you approach business
• How to build a roadmap for yourself
• Goal setting techniques to define clear next steps for your career
Self-Made Artist Academy is already jam-packed with tons of valuable information.
I’m including Two Exclusive Bonuses to Help You Generate Unstoppable Momentum in Your Arts Business...
Bonus 01: The Power of Passion Projects Training
Want to build a portfolio of projects you’re truly proud of that attract dream customers? In this virtual training, you’ll learn 5 results from passion projects you might not expect, how to design a project around your interests that can help shape the future of your business, and insights from the many passion projects I’ve personally used to grow Lettering Works.
Bonus 02: Are You on Brand? Authentically Branding Your Passion Training
Building a brand that is passion-driven and authentic is key to attracting customers aligned to your purpose. Your brand should evolve with you, and this training will highlight key branding concepts that you can come back to time and time again.
Enroll in Self-Made Artist Academy
Questions about the course?
I’ve got you covered.
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I have a pretty broad definition of artist. If you are questioning if you are an artist, chances are I’d consider you one (and you should consider yourself one too!). Artists that are a good fit for this program include photographers, painters, illustrators, sculptors, dancers, chefs, musicians, authors, and graphic designers. If you are a motivated creative of any type, this is for you.
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Self-Made Artist Academy is a six-part online course which includes videos and PDF workbooks and guides.
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It is up to you! The course is set up to be spaced out over six weeks, so you can really dive into each module over the course of a week. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can dive into them on a shorter timeline.
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Everyone who enrolls in the course will have group access to me via a private Facebook group, which I’ll be in throughout the duration of the course to answer any questions. You can also reach me via email anytime at hello@letteringworks.com. If you’re looking for more personalized attention, you can always schedule a 1:1 consulting session.
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You can choose between a one-time payment and a two-month payment option. If you’d like a special payment plan or to be considered for sliding scale options, please reach out to Chelsie directly.
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Yes! This program is designed to cover fundamentals of business in a way that is more accessible and relatable to artists than many more traditional business courses. While there are no prerequisites to this course, it is recommended that you are comfortable with your own style as an artist. Please note that I will not be covering how to select and form business entities or providing any type of legal advice.
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It really depends on what you are looking to get out of this program. If you already feel confident in your creative offerings, systems and processes, and pricing, this might not be the best option for you. If you could benefit from reassessing these areas (or you skipped over them when you started your business - which totally happens!), then there will be plenty of value and actionable takeaways.
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Artists who have a strong negative attitude towards the possibility of their art being profitable or their career are not a good fit for this course. I expect students to come in with a positive attitude and open mind. The first step in making your arts business dreams a reality is believing they’re possible. I believe in you, but it’s essential that you have some faith in yourself as well. I can teach you the business side, but I can’t teach you the passion.
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Yes! If after the first 30 days, you don't feel totally confident that this program will uplevel your arts business, simply reach out, show me you’ve put in the work, and I’ll refund your investment. If you have any questions about if this course is right for you, feel free to email me at hello@letteringworks.com or shoot me a DM on Instagram before purchasing.
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Investing in yourself via someone who has been in your shoes and jumped through the hoops standing between you and where you want to be is your ticket out of the stress of doing it on your own. I hope you’ll see this as a fast-pass to where you want to be and an opportunity to make your arts business dreams a reality.
So are we a match?
You bring your unique style, motivation, passion, and a readiness to learn
I’ll bring 5+ years of business knowledge and teaching experience
Together we’ll take you from aspiring to confidently established
Still thinking about it?
If you’ve made it this far, chances are you’re ready to make the jump and invest in yourself and your art. If you are ready to feel supported in a program that is sure to help you accelerate your success, this opportunity is for you.
I personally cannot wait to guide you and share what I’ve learned from my 5+ years in business to help you define and meet your goals quicker and easier than I did.
Owning my own business and pursuing my passion for art and design has transformed my life.
I’ve experienced first hand what it feels like to truly love your job and career. If you are anything like me and are so very passionate about your craft, I want to help you feel the same.
Should you choose to accept my invitation, I personally guarantee that these six weeks will be one of the best things you’ve ever done for yourself.
Your profitable, creative, freedom-filled arts business is waiting for you. I look forward to seeing you inside Self-Made Artist Academy where we’ll build your dream business together.
All my best,
Chelsie Tamms