Being a full time artist is one of those things I always dreamed about. I thought this entailed painting all day and drinking huge amounts of coffee in a stunning white studio. Unfortunately only one of those is true. Being an artist is being a jack of all trades. It doesn't end at being able to paint in a style that is your own, it's only the beginning.

There isn't one way to "make it," but there are pieces of advice to help guide the way. Practice, and pushing the boundaries of mediums and subjects are the best places to begin. Experiment and create as much as you can, take inspiration from the world around you or experiences you have had. Every one of us is an individual, if you create from your heart you will make something unique. Don't try to fit into a genre but create one that is you.

All major artists living and working today have something in common. They all have their own identifiable style and brand. Something that can be recognised in their artwork, the design of their website and how they present their work to you. Being able to brand yourself will help people find and remember you.

We, as artists, are lucky to be in an age of the internet and social media. We are given the opportunity to connect with the world, reaching tens of thousands of people. The art world is changing, we no longer have to rely on galleries or agents to sell our work, it is something that we can now do ourselves with some relentless dedication. The value of the online trade is now around £1.57bn and is likely to more than double by 2018. Social media is the perfect way to connect and share, with the real benefit being being able to interact with potential customers.

Set yourself goals, big or small and stick to them, whether it's having a show in the next 6 months, or trying to engage with a certain number of people on social media in a week, each small step helps to create a following and will build your brand. It can take years to build a good base of followers, make sure to keep in touch and let these people know what you have coming up and what you are involved in. It can be keeping in touch and reaching out to people that opens new opportunities for you.

Having the discipline and motivation to keep working is important. There will be many rejections, but don't take these to heart and keep on going. It's like many things where you get out what you put in. And most importantly of all, enjoy what you are doing, it will be the best motivation of all.

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Thanks to Hannah for sharing her words of wisdom. To read more about Hannah and her beautiful work, check out our recent feature on her here.