Artists are notorious for being unorganised. But is that reputation one you want to associate with yourself? You can be as creative as they come, but if you can’t keep track of which gallery has what piece and which buyer is interested, you won’t sell much art.

If you’re looking to make a living out of being an artist, and especially if you are hoping to attract prominent buyers and collectors like Charles Saatchi, here are some of the most common things unorganised artists do and how to rectify them.

They forget to write things down – or where they wrote it

It is nigh on impossible to create art, run a business and remember everything off the top of your head. One of the easiest ways to stay on top of things is to write things down.

Always have a to-do list on the go, that is prioritised based on importance, then assign each task a deadline. This way, you can never forget what needs to be done.

You could also consider writing down the details of new pieces. Anything that potential clients would be interested in is worth noting down. Also, keep track of business details like client information, competition details or expenses.

Don’t be the person who makes extensive notes, then loses them a week later. You could consider uploading notes to a cloud-based system so everything is in one place.

If you’re more old school, consider a contact book to keep client information in, or perhaps a diary or calendar to write down events and organise your notes.

Establish a routine

One of the easiest ways to get organised is by getting yourself into a regular routine. In fact, Very Well Mind say “a lack of structure and routine exacerbates feelings of distress”. Even by establishing a simple routine after completing a piece of work, it does lots to make your business run smoother.

It’s worth pinpointing some smaller windows in your schedule that you devote to basic tasks, like sorting through emails or cleaning up your workspace.

Give everything its own space

One way to encourage yourself to stay organised is by designating everything in your workspace, down to the individual paintbrush, a space in the studio.

Store supplies where they are easily accessible and visible. Clear plastic boxes and pegboards are ideal for this, as nothing is ever out of sight. It might be worth making an investment into a shelving unit, to keep everything in one place.

Once you’re done with an item, get into the habit of putting it away immediately. Even emails and documents online can be sorted into specific folders, to help you stay on top of things.

Get rid of what you don’t need

While you’re finding a home for your equipment, take the opportunity to detox the studio of things you no longer need.

Do you really need to hang onto supplies that are past their best? How necessary are business cards when all your information is online?

Maybe you could donate some pieces that you haven’t sold but are still worthy of someone’s wall. As the Artwork Archive says, “use this opportunity to explore how people respond to your work”. You can also use the event to capitalise on the free promotion.

And there you have it – now that you know the importance of staying organised as an artist in London, follow these tips to keep everything in check.