10 Ways to Make Money as an artist

Aug 7, 2022

Turning your passion into money can be done. As with all great things in life, earning money as an artist requires the right approach, and lots of work.

Based on our own experience as well as speaking to a variety of creators and artists, we have put together an inventory of the most efficient methods of earning money an artist.

 10 the most effective methods to earn money as an artist

  1.   Teach Online Courses
  2.   Offer Tutorials and Mini-courses
  3.   Video Consulting and Teaching
  4.   Video-making of the art-making process
  5.   Create an Youtube channel
  6.   Offer Original Pieces of Art for sale
  7.   Buy NFTs
  8.   Buy Art Prints
  9.   Sell Digital Artwork
  10.   Work on commissions

BOON: Where to advertise your work


There's a myriad options to earn income as an artist and it is possible to have multiple sources of earnings. If you're a freelance artist or self-employed permanent artist you can earn money with your work.

 Online courses to teach

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Source: Jennifer Gast online courses

It's difficult to begin an online course the very first day. However, it's possible to start by signing up to several of them and see how the courses are planned and then use an established platform that has online classes for inspiration. Obviously, here on CreativeMindClass is a big believer on teaching online courses on an unrelated platform, where you can be at the wheel.

 Provide tutorials as well as mini-courses

If you've established your credibility with a community of readers through your blog or social media platforms, you could start by providing tutorials or mini courses that show you how to create the art that comes in different forms including videos, pdfs, and webinars.

 Video consultation and instruction

If you've already had the expertise, you can aid those who want to be artists achieve their dreams. It is possible to offer paid video consults, and even teach using Zoom or even Facetime. Today, a lot of students prefer taking an online course or webinar at home, particularly those who don't get many chances in their local area to go to a class.

 Make videos of the art-making process

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Source: Riccardo Russomanno art-making process

If you're an illustrator making fun personal projects, the next time you're in the studio, start the camera, and record your creation-making process. Looking for a great online course suggestion? You can combine illustration by combining someone's photographs or an engaging illustration of their family. Your clients can not only enjoy the artwork, but also observe how the artwork was created.

 Start an Youtube channel

If the idea of offering an online course doesn't bring you joy, even though you love instructing, entertaining and taking part in a live camera show, setting up your own YouTube channel might be the best option. Keep in mind that you're unlikely to earn a great deal at first, but content of good quality, which solves an issue or is entertaining, can draw more attention as well as earn cash over time.

 Selling Original Pieces

It is possible to sell your original artwork. You can offer your artwork or sculptures as other jewelry items or ornaments in your online store or website.

It's better, to begin by establishing an online art marketplace with thousands of clients and millions of users rather than waiting for buyers to discover your web portfolio which is virtually unvisited.

Certain platforms offer the possibility of having your art work included in a marketing opportunity.

 Sell NFTs

Are you gifted for digital art? You might be interested to learn how to sell work created by NFT. Numerous collectors and artists are taking advantage of this type of digital art collective' , and are earning cool cash. This is the hottest thing today and even though the future of NFTs is not yet certain, if there is a new method of making money based on a blockchain it's definitely something that you should not overlook.

 Sell Art Prints

There are plenty of marketplaces on the internet that provide artists the opportunity to sell their work through printing-on-demand. Furthermore, some support artists by featuring the artists' work on their social media platforms.

 SELL Digital Artwork for Stock

In your capacity as a graphic artist photographer, illustrator or videographer, you are able to utilize your work for websites that stock images to generate income from your process of creating.

 Work on Commissions

Get directly commissioned by individuals or corporations to create unique works with scratch.

Working for clients doesn't have to be dull. When you're a painter or an illustrator as an illustrator, you may be paid to create street art as well as interior or outdoor mural painting and design. Additionally, you could team up with other creatives like musicians and create for example illustrations for an Spotify song cover.

 Where can you promote your art?

Ok. We've talked about what to sell now and the next question is how to offer it.

 Get started with your creative blog

The creation of the blog you prefer is among the most efficient methods of marketing to attract customers at present.

It was probably the most successful choice I've ever made in my professional career. Trust and authority are earned through the promotion of your business. One way to achieve this is to address the audience you intend to write for and offer the information they're seeking. If it's photography of graphic design and social media or art, you'll be able to determine a blog niche that's suitable for you.

A blog that receives plenty of visitors could become a lucrative business (this requires effort and dedication) by way of advertisements or affiliate hyperlinks, in addition to sponsors and advertisers.

 Design and Create an eBook

If you're blogging and writing then this is the next step that you'll follow after having built a fan base. It's easier to market and sell your ebook to anyone who is interested in your subject You can be confident and trust your expertise.

 Education and Mentoring

Many artists and creatives have shared their experiences by instructing, coaching, or mentoring via video calls or the internet-based teaching platforms. It is unlikely that you start your career as a coach. However, when you're engaged in teaching or blogging, it is possible to take the next stage.

 Works for online Marketplaces or Galleries

The experience you gain will be invaluable from the behind-the-scenes work that involves providing services like the curating of, selling, or marketing art.

Apart from earning money, you also explore possibilities that you might not have been capable of.

This is an action you must take if you're aspiring to get deeper into the realm of art, rather than just selling your work.

 Work for blogs and magazines

Photographing, writing, and conducting art on blogs and the press is an exciting way not just to make some money as an artist, but also as also to establish strong relationships and make your name known to even more people.

If you're having trouble to create the website or blog that you're looking for, we're here to assure you that it's not so difficult as you think. What you must be is a consistent user (that means, you have to comment on blog posts, or joining groups on the internet).

Many bloggers and webmasters tend to hire from their own readers.

 Promote on Social Media

Earn profits as an artist through Instagram and other social media or blogging the blog of your choice. Whatever channel you choose to promote and present your work on, keep in mind that social media is only one of the methods for marketing and networking, and you don't want to be 100 100% dependent on it.

Facebook, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are among the most well-known platforms used by artists. However, it's up to you to select the most suitable option for you.

Marketing on social media is an all-time occupation but it's a worthwhile one when you're prepared to dedicate the necessary time.

 Be ready for a long-distance run

It's not a lie that the path to success doesn't come quick or straightforward. It requires hard work determination perseverance, as well as a strategic approach to make money as an artist, however, more and more artists achieve success in earning a livelihood through this.

When you begin to think of your work as a profession, and not just a fun hobby, you will have greater chance of becoming one of the lucky ones!

You could build a reliable income stream through your work as an artist CreativeMindClass.

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