Monetize Your Creativity: How to Make Money as an Artist

Last updated on 5th July, 2024 at 02:57 pm

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How to Make Money as an Artist – You Don’t Have to Endure Poverty

As an introverted artist, you don’t have to be poor and endure poverty. With the help of the internet, there are now more ways than ever to make money as an artist.

And keeping in mind the goal of figuring out how to make money as an artist, here are 10 ways that can help you to monetize your creativity.

1. Start an Art Blog

The first step to monetizing your creativity is to build a brand that people can recognize and trust. Your brand should be a reflection of your art style, your personality, and your values.

Plus, who wouldn’t want their own personal corner of the internet where they can be the boss? It’s like having your own mini art gallery, but without the need for pants or small talk.

But seriously, starting an art blog is one of the most effective ways to establish your brand as an artist. You can treat it as a medium to share your artwork with the world.

You can also take people on a journey with you by documenting your creative process, as well as inspiring them with your work and artistic interests.

Besides that, having a blog can be super beneficial for your career – it helps to show that you’re an established expert in your area and that you put real effort into the content you create. People will get to know your unique view and appreciate the hard work behind your work.

So, why not take the plunge today? Start an art blog to begin promoting your artwork and start growing your artist brand.

Don’t worry if you’re not a tech whiz, here’s an ultimate step-by-step guide on how to start a WordPress blog. Just make sure to post regularly and engage with your audience.

Who knows? You might just become the next big thing in the art world.

2. Sell Your Canvas Painting Online

DeviantART and Saatchi Art are popular online platforms where artists can showcase their artwork and sell their canvas paintings to a global audience.

These platforms charge a commission on sales, but they provide a convenient way to reach a large customer base. That means you can reach a vast audience of potential buyers from all over the world.

There’s no need to worry about the trustworthiness of DeviantART and Saatchi Art. They’re both reputable websites, specially created for artists so they can display and sell their work.

What you have to do is to create a profile with them and let the world see your artwork. In a few clicks, you can post pictures, describe them, and set prices to start selling. You’ll be able to reach art collectors and fans from all over the world.

A word of advice for you if you’re selling art online – make sure your photos are top-notch. Invest in good lighting, a high-quality camera, and a neat backdrop to give your artwork the best possible presentation. It’ll go a long way in showcasing what you have to offer.

3. Sell on Stock Photos Website

If you’re into digital art/photography, then you could make some good money by selling your work on stock image sites.

Sites like Shutterstock, Envato, and Creative Fabrica make it easy to reach a wide range of buyers from different fields – from marketers and web designers to content producers and more.

I’d just like to point out that some of these websites will take a cut of your sales, but the convenience and range of clients you can reach make it a valuable prospect. It’s definitely worth considering.

4. Sell Digital Products/Templates

Got an extra baggy of cash lying around? Well, here’s a great way to fill it up.

This source of income is no longer a secret but it’s been proven that it can help you to make money as an artist.

Graphic designers and crafty folks alike can whip up templates for practically anything. From resumes to calendars to graphics for your Instagram page, there’s no end to the wondrous creations you can come up with.

Wouldn’t you love to know where you can sell digital templates? The best place to begin is Etsy, the world’s most popular marketplace.

Yeah, I hear you. You could be thinking that Etsy is supersaturated with too many sellers. But think of it from the other side of the card.

This abundance of options also presents opportunities for creative entrepreneurs who are looking to stand out. With a little savvy and the right strategy, there’s still plenty of room to make your mark on Etsy and establish yourself as a successful seller.

Do you still wish to avoid Etsy? No worries, there are loads of other best websites to sell digital products. Here are a few of them to check out.

• Gumroad
• Creative Fabrica
• Creative Market
• Payhip
• Sendowl
• Podia
• Sell it with your own blog (WooCommerce plugin)

5. Create an Online Course

If you’ve got knowledge and skills that you want to make money off of, one way is to create an online course.

You can easily achieve that with Teachable. This website is ideal for people who have something to teach others. You can create classes about any subject – art related or not – and then sell them online.

So what kind of courses can you create? Anything… Or you could always make one based on something that’s currently popular.

AI’s been a big deal lately, so why not get in on the action? Try to integrate AI into your courses to bring some cutting-edge content. You could teach people how to create AI art, how to scale the image, how to edit the AI art, and where to sell them.

But if that is not your cup of tea, you can teach aspiring artists how to create stunning watercolor landscapes, or share your secrets for mastering digital art.

You could even create a course on the business side of being an artist, with tips on pricing, marketing, and more.

Sign up for Teachable today and start sharing your artistic wisdom with the world!

6. Print on Demand

This is one of my preferred ways to make money online. It was actually the first income I ever earned on the internet!

screenshot of Redbubble earning

What I like the most about this print-on-demand is that it takes away the hassle of stocking inventory, printing, packing, shipping, and dealing with customer service – which can be a real headache.

A platform like Redbubble does that for you. All you have to do is to focus on creating your artwork, upload them, and customize them to your preferences.

Furthermore, you can sell your artwork on a variety of products, from t-shirts to phone cases, shower curtains, caps, hoodies, duffle bags, and many more.

If you’re interested in learning more about this print-on-demand option, I’ve put together a comprehensive guide for newbies to start selling on Redbubble. Check it out.

7. Sell Your Art on Instagram

Ah, Instagram – the land of selfies, food pics, and yes, even art!

As an artist, you can use Instagram to showcase your amazing work and attract potential buyers from all around the world.

It’s a perfect platform for sharing high-quality images of your artwork and connecting with art enthusiasts and collectors.

But what I wish to emphasize here is to focus more on Reels than uploading photos. Being so popular on Instagram, it’s now the preferred option for many people.

It’s no surprise that people are gravitating towards short videos on platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts. After all, we’re living in an age of short clips.

To add in, make sure each of your Reels has a clear call-to-action to get viewers to check out the link in your bio and buy your artwork.

Lastly, don’t forget to link your profile with your shop/store so buyers can easily purchase your artwork.

You can simply use platforms like Znaplink to create a simple but effective landing page. With the help of these tools, it’s so easy to make your links look tidy and attractive, almost like a pro has done it.

8. Start a YouTube Channel

If showing your face is not a big deal, then starting a YouTube channel might be right up your alley.

Not only is it a way to showcase your artwork to a wide audience, but it can also be a source of passive income.

Believe it or not, you can actually make some serious money with YouTube. Here are 5 of the top ways to do it:

• YouTube Partner Program – Display ads on your video. But keep in mind that you are required to have 1000 subscribers, 4000 hours, or 10M views of Shorts.
• Affiliate Marketing – You can join any affiliate program that is related to your niche. You can join any affiliate network like Clickbank, CJ, Impact, JVZoo, and many more.
• Sell Products / Merchandise – This is where you can link your shop in the description. Just ensure to include a call to action in your video to direct your audience to click the link in the description.
• Brand Deals – If you want to make money with this option, you’ll need a good number of subscribers. Once that happens, brands might reach out and ask you to make a video for them to promote their product/services.
• Fan Funding – I personally considered Buy Me A Coffee as a good option to allow you to make money right off the bat. People can show you appreciation for your content by tipping or thanking you. It’s an awesome feeling to be rewarded for your hard work.

So what kind of videos should you upload on YouTube?

Try to brainstorm types of videos that would be attractive to your audience. Could be tutorials showing different techniques, time-lapses of art being created, or vlogs about your creative process.

These are all good options. And don’t forget to inject your own style and humor into your videos if you want people to keep tuning in.

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9. Coaching & Mentoring

Yeah, I get it. It can be really intimidating for introverts to go for this option (at least for me).

But if you’re the type of person who loves helping others grow and develop, then why not look into providing coaching and mentoring to fellow artists?

Whether you prefer one-on-one sessions or group mentoring, you can share your knowledge and help others improve their craft.

From teaching techniques to providing feedback on their work, your guidance can make a huge difference. Plus, you never know what you might learn from your mentees – maybe they’ll even teach you a thing or two.

So, if you’re up for the challenge and ready to help others, why not give coaching and mentoring a try?

Who knows, it might just become your new favorite way to earn some extra income.

10. Sell Your Art at Art Exhibitions or Festivals

If none of the above are working out, you will have to dive head-first into the sea of people and try to hawk your artwork.

You will have to participate in local art exhibitions or festivals in your area.

Keep an eye out for any art exhibitions or events happening near you – could be at your local art galleries or community centers.

The good thing about this is you can connect with potential buyers, network with other artists, and showcase your creativity to a wider audience.

The downside of this option? Brace yourself for exhaustion cause introverts get worn out from social interaction easily. That’s why I put this as the last resort.

Final Say – How to Make Money as an Artist

Well, folks, we’ve covered a lot of ground today on how to make money as an artist.

We’ve talked about everything from selling your art at exhibitions to starting a YouTube channel, and even coaching and mentoring other artists.

But I want to let you in on my two cents: the best way to make money as an artist, especially for introverts like us, is by starting a blog.

Think about it – starting a blog gives you the ability to control your content, reach out to an audience and make money.

You can showcase your artwork, ideas, etc. to the world by blogging and even make money out of it through advertisements, affiliate programs, or selling your own digital products. Growing a following is also possible with email marketing.

Plus, as an introvert, blogging allows you to connect with people on your own terms and in your own way (all while wearing your favorite pajamas).

So long story short, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to start a WordPress blog to help you get started.