Introduction
Making money online as an artist can be effective, provided you follow some proven strategies to monetize your artistic skills.
There are stereotypes of the starving artist. Your families and friends might discourage you from pursuing a career in art because they believe you can’t make a living this way, which we get. Being a successful artist may appear easy on media but can be challenging in a market full of talents. However, it is possible to make money online as an artist.
Andy Warhol once said, “Making money is art, working is art, and good business is the best art.” There’s business in selling your art online, turning your talent into cash.
In this article, we’ll be showing you how to make money online as an artist, breaking down various ways of earning cash.
1. Establish your brand.
If you’re looking to make money as an artist online, then it’s important to establish an identifying brand for yourself. Define your artistic identity, create a consistent visual identity, and develop an online presence. This can help you make important business decisions regarding your art because it standardizes your values, beliefs, and vision for your work.
In establishing your brand, ensure your compelling brand messaging is clear, concise, and memorable. Engage with your audience by responding to comments and participating in online discussions. You can also promote your work by submitting it to art competitions and exhibitions and reaching out to galleries and collectors. It may take time, but be patient in building your successful brand.
>>> MORE : SaleHoo Dropshipping Review
2. License your art.
Licensing your art is crucial for protecting your intellectual property and earning revenue from your work. There are different types of licenses you could consider, including exclusive, non-exclusive, and limited licenses.
The exclusive license grants the licensee exclusive rights to use your art for a specific purpose or territory. A non-exclusive license allows multiple licensees to use your art for different purposes or territories. And a limited license restricts the licensee’s use of your art to specific purposes or timeframes.
Licensing your art also involves renting your work to companies to use your design on their products. This can be a lucrative way for you to earn money, although it can be a time-consuming process.
Several companies spend months manufacturing and deciding on sales strategies that can help with their marketing. Your art can help their products, and in turn, bring in more money for you. All you have to do is research these manufacturers online, reach out to them, or attend trade shows to meet contacts.
There are factors you must consider in licensing your art; these include the scope of use, territory, duration, compensation, and rights retained. It’s recommended you consult an attorney for a comprehensive license agreement.
3. Sell your art.
Selling your art online is a rewarding way to share your creativity with others and still make money alongside it. There are various ways you sell your art, depending on what art you produce.
This is why it’s necessary to establish your brand, which will help you know your audience and, in turn, help you in selling them.
You can sell your work by creating an online store where you can sell your art to customers online. They are simple to create, and they allow you to present your artwork in a professional light.
Having an online store allows you to direct customers to one location where you sell your art online. One advantage you enjoy is that you don’t have to pay commissions to galleries or websites to feature your artwork.
There are online marketplaces you can utilize to sell your art directly to customers without intermediaries. These marketplaces include Etsy, eBay, Amazon, and social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest.
These platforms have a wider outreach, giving your art products massive promotion, which in turn drives traffic to your website or art store. With enough following, you can also earn money through affiliate marketing strategies like promoting art supply brands you respect.
4. Create and sell digital art.
Digital art is a versatile and accessible medium you, as an artist, can use to express creativity and generate income. Digital art can be sold as prints, digital downloads, or even as NFTs.
Print-on-demand (POD) is a business model where products are printed and shipped to customers after an order is placed. This arrangement allows you to upload designs, photographs, or illustrations to a website, with a company printing the artwork on products like apparel or drinkware. This arrangement benefits from no need for printing equipment, no inventory or storage concerns, dropshipping, no minimums, and more time for art creation.
NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are a growing type of asset. They are digital assets stored on the blockchain, with the top 20% earning from NFT art collections exceeding $8,000 per month. The average price point is around $230.
NFTs are digital assets (usually art) that you store on the blockchain. If you’re lucky, you earn quite a huge sum with NFTs, but you need to know about cryptocurrency and the NFT space. The process can be a bit lengthy but worthwhile, especially considering the high prices of the most expensive NFTs.
5. Offer art classes or workshops online.
Offering art classes or workshops online is a great way to share your knowledge and skills with a wider audience and also a lucrative way to make money. To get started, choose an online platform or create your course platform using tools like Teachable or Udemy.
Decide on your topic and create a detailed curriculum to cover all important ones. You can divide your course into smaller lessons with both theoretical and practical exercises and create course materials such as videos, handouts, and other resources to support the learning process.
6. Start an art blog.
Starting an art blog is a wonderful way to share your work and connect with other artists. You can connect with your audience, promote your work, and potentially earn income through views or advertisements.
To get started, choose a platform that is easy to use and has the necessary features. Choose a catchy and memorable name for your blog, which should be relevant to your art type. Design your blog visually appealing and simple to navigate. Start writing about your art, sharing your thoughts, inspirations, and latest projects. You can promote your blog on social media and other channels to attract more readers.
You can create a blog for various reasons, including marketing, monetization, and building trust. A successful blog can showcase your work to clients and earn money through ads, sponsors, and affiliate links. The strategy depends on the audience and the type of blog.
Consistency is key; post new content regularly to keep readers coming back. To gain new customers, write about topics related to your style, medium, and art trends. Use high-quality images to enhance your blog posts.
Engage with your readers by responding to comments and questions, using social media to promote your blog, and attending art events to network with other artists and potential readers. By following these tips, you can create a successful art blog that helps you achieve your artistic goals.
>>> PRO TIPS : Instagram Marketing Hacks for Online store
Recap
Making money with your artwork online might seem like a big deal at first, but it doesn’t have to be. The above-listed steps give you a start on how to sell art online and make money.
