How to Make Money Online as an Artist: Strategies That Actually Work
How to Make Money Online as an Artist
Imagine that you have become a successful artist. You make a good living from your art, and it brings you joy and fulfillment. You are able to support yourself and your family with your art, and you love doing it. Every day, you get to wake up and do what you love and share your artwork with the world.
You did it! You made it as an artist. But how did you do it? How can you make money from your art?
If you're an artist, there are a lot of reasons why you might want to start selling your art online. Maybe you're looking for a way to make some extra money on the side. Or maybe you're looking for a way to turn your art into a full-time career. Whatever your reasons, there are a lot of benefits to selling your work online.
For one, it's a great way to reach a wider audience. You can also make more money selling your art online than you would by selling it through traditional methods like galleries or art shows. And thanks to the internet, it's now easier than ever before.
Although it is easier, nothing worth doing is ever effortless - there will be a few challenges along the way. For example, the most common challenge that artists face when trying to sell their work online is figuring out how to market it effectively. Without a solid marketing plan, your artwork may not get the attention it deserves.
I know the struggle. I've been there myself. When I started out, I had no idea how to monetise and market my artwork online. It took me a lot of trial and error (and a lot of wasted money) before finally finding some strategies that worked for me.
Now, I want to share those strategies with you, so that you can have a thriving artist business and avoid making the same mistakes I did.
So, how do you go about making money as an artist online? Let's take a look at some of the most common methods.
Treat It Like a Business
This is probably the most important piece of advice when it comes to making money online as an artist. When you approach your art in a professional manner if you are taking the first step to becoming a raving success.
When it comes to making money as an artist online, the first thing you need to do is treat your art like a business. This means creating a business plan, setting up a website or online shop, marketing your artwork, and having a portfolio of your best work. If the thought of doing any of these things makes you shudder in horror, don't worry, I'm going to walk you through each of them step by step, and hopefully show you how fun and rewarding this process can be.
Creating a Business Plan
At its essence, a business plan is a document that outlines your business goals and how you plan to achieve them. It's a way to organise your thoughts and track your progress. It may seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be complicated. Just sit down and answer these simple questions:
What types of art do you want to create?
What is your art business all about?
Who is your target market?
How do you plan to reach your target market?
What are your goals?
How will you achieve these goals?
How much money do you need to make your art business profitable?
What are your expenses going to be?
What are the risks and challenges involved?
How will you overcome these challenges?
What are your long-term plans for your art business?
Once you have answered these questions, you will have a better understanding of what it takes to run a successful art business. You can also use your business plan as a roadmap to follow as you start selling art online.
Create a Portfolio of Your Work
Your portfolio is one of the essential tools you have to sell your art online. It's what potential buyers will look at to decide if they want to buy your work, so it needs to be "good". By good, I don't mean pretty. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and, believe it or not - it is not the most important aspect of a profitable art portfolio.
A winning portfolio is a compilation of your best work, which should be up to date, well-executed, and above all else, should fulfil the buyer's need, even if that need is as straightforward as bringing beauty into their home.
So, how do you create a portfolio full of art pieces people cant wait to buy? There is no right or wrong answer to this question because it depends on which industry you want to work in. A textile designer, for example, might approach this differently compared to an Illustrator.
Here are some general questions to get you started putting your portfolio together:
What type of buyer am I targeting?
What kind of art do they like?
What need am I trying to fulfil for my target audience?
Are they individuals or other businesses?
Does my ideal client need unique or on-trend pieces?
How much money are they willing to spend on art?
What size paintings do they usually buy?
Is there any supporting elements like images, mockups or stories I should add to better showcase my designs?
By answering these questions, you'll be able to curate a portfolio that is much more likely to sell art online.
Set Up a Website
Now that you have a portfolio of your best work, the next step is to set up an online shop where people can find you and buy your art. Your website is your digital home base. It's where you can showcase your art projects, keep an art blog about your process, sell prints and originals, and connect with potential buyers.
There are many different platforms to choose from when setting up a website. If you are a bit more advanced, I would recommend using WordPress. It's free to use, easy to set up and has a huge community of developers who are always creating new themes and plugins to make your life easier.
Squarespace is also a great platform to use, and it's a bit more user-friendly than WordPress, but it will cost you a little bit of money each month. Wix is another popular platform that is free to use, but the templates are not as good as Squarespace or WordPress.
Whichever platform you choose, make sure to do your research so you can find one that fits your needs and budget.
Add a Shop on Your Own Website
Now that you have a website, the next step is to add shop functionality so people can buy your art directly from you. This will give you a lot of control over your prices and allow you to start building a mailing list of buyers who love your work. It might be a little slow at first, but once you get the ball rolling, it will be worth it compared to solely relying on art marketplaces where you have much less control.
Marketplaces can change fees and rules at any moment, which can have enormous consequences on your sales. I have a personal horror story of losing 1000s of dollars in profit overnight after a tiny change from a wildly popular marketplace. So even if you only hear crickets at first, keep nurturing your website and your shop and drive all your marketing traffic to them. It will be worth it!
License Your art
Another great way to make money as an artist is by licensing your art. This means that you allow other businesses to use your artwork for different products and applications. This can be anything from phone cases to fabric to stationery, art prints, wallpaper, and so much more. In return, they will give you a commission each time it is used.
This can be a great way to make passive income as an artist because you can continue to sell the same piece of art over and over again without having to do any additional work.
Getting Started With Art Licensing
To get started, you will need to create a portfolio of your best work and then reach out to businesses that you think would be interested in using your artwork. You can also sign up with licensing companies who will represent you and help you sell your art to businesses.
Another great way to find businesses that might be interested in licensing your art is to go to tradeshows and other industry events. This is a great opportunity to meet with potential buyers face-to-face and show them your portfolio.
License Your Artwork for Use on Products
One of the most popular ways to license your art is by allowing businesses to use it on products. This can be anything from phone cases and t-shirts to mugs and notebooks. If you are intrigued by art licensing here are a just a few product categories you can explore to see if they are a good fit for your work:
Textiles, such as bedding, table cloths and towels.
Wallcoverings such as murals, decals, and wallpaper.
Home Decor items such as wall art prints, dishes, and vases.
Floorcoverings such as carpet, bath mats, and rugs.
Apparel such as t-shirts, leggings, and activewear.
Paper products such as journals, planners, and greeting cards.
The sky is really the limit when it comes to product licensing.
License for Royalties
Another way to license your art is by granting royalties. This means that you will get paid a commission each time your artwork is used. The amount you get paid will depend on the usage, how many units are sold and the terms you agree upon in your contract, and it can be a great way to make passive income as an artist.
Sell the Copyright to Your Artwork
Another way to license your art is by selling the copyright to businesses. This means that they will have the exclusive rights to use your artwork however they want and you will not be able to sell it to anyone else.
This can be a great way to make a lot of money upfront, but you will lose all control over your artwork which means you will not be able to sell it again in the future.
Sell on Print on Demand Sites
If you don't want to go through the hassle of setting up your own website and shop, then another option is to sell your artwork on print on demand sites. These are websites where people can buy products with your artwork printed on them, and all you have to do is upload your artwork and they will take care of the rest.
How to Sell Your Artwork on Print on Demand Sites
To get started, you will need to create an account with a print on demand site and upload your artwork. Once your artwork is uploaded, you will be able to choose which products you want to sell it on.
Then, when someone buys a product with your artwork on it, the site will print it and ship it to the customer. If you are selling through websites like Society6 or Redbubble, you don't even need to worry about customer service because they handle everything for you.
The Benefits of Selling on Print on Demand Sites
The great thing about print on demand sites is that there is no minimum order, so you can sell as few or as many products as you want. And, since the products are printed when someone orders them, there is no inventory to manage.
Another benefit of selling on POD sites is that many companies keep an eye on the popular designs, and you could get some fantastic work opportunities from them. For example, if someone notices your designs, they might reach out with commission work or licensing opportunities.
Some of them also host art contests which are another great opportunity to put your art skills to the test and showcase your designs to art lovers worldwide.
The Downside of Selling on Print on Demand Sites
While there are many advantages to selling on POD sites, there are also a few disadvantages. One is that you will likely make less money per sale than if you were selling your artwork directly yourself because the site will take a cut of each sale.
Another downside is that you will have less control over the quality of the products since you are not printing them yourself. And finally, because there are so many other artists selling on them, it can be challenging to stand out from the crowd.
How much money can you make selling your art on print on demand sites?
The amount of money you can make selling your artwork on print on demand sites varies depending on many factors, such as the price of the products, the quality of your artwork, and how well you market your work.
That being said, it is possible to make a full-time income from selling your artwork on print on demand sites. And, even if you don't make a lot of money at first, it can be a great way to get your work out there and build up a fanbase.
It took me a while to reach my first four-figure month selling art on print on demand but I eventually did it, and I know others who have as well. So there is very good money to be made if you have the time to invest into growing your accounts.
Use Social Media to Promote Your Artwork
Once you have built your website and set up your shop, the next step is to start promoting your work. And, what better way to do that than through social media?
Almost everyone has a social media account these days, so it's a great way to reach a large audience. Plus, social media platforms are constantly changing and evolving, which means there are always new ways to use them to promote your work.
Currently, some of the best places for artists to hang out are Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Youtube and Pinterest, but regardless of which platform you choose, there are some golden rules that can help you get the most out of it.
Rule #01: Have a Strong Social Media Presence
If you want people to buy your artwork, they need to know who you are and what you do. This means having a strong social media presence with lots of interesting content. Make sure to post regular updates about your work, as well as behind-the-scenes shots, process videos, and anything else that might be interesting to your followers.
Rule #02: Use Hashtags
Hashtags are a great way to get your work seen by a larger audience. When you post about your artwork on your social media channels, make sure to use relevant hashtags so that people can find it. You can use general hashtags like #art or #artist, as well as specific ones like #naturepainting or #animaldrawing.
There are also a number of art-specific hashtags that you can use to find potential customers, such as #buyart, #artcollector, and #interiordesign.
Rule #03: Engage with Other Artists
One of the best ways to grow your social media following is to engage with other artists. Like and comment on their posts, share their work, and start conversations. Not only will this help you get noticed by potential customers, but it's also a great way to make friends in the art world.
Rule #04: Be Consistent
One of the most important things to remember when using social media to promote your work is to be consistent. Post regularly, use the same branding across all platforms and make sure the tone of voice is consistent. This will help build trust with your followers and keep them coming back for more.
Rule #05: Upload High Quality Images and Video
One of the best ways to stand out from the crowd and make people want to buy your artwork is by posting high-quality images and videos. Make sure the images are well-lit, in focus, and cropped correctly. Additionally, for videos, consider using a good quality microphone and leveraging the power of an online video editor to enhance their appeal. Editing your videos with an online video editor can help you create engaging and informative content that captures your audience's attention.
The fear of showing your art to the world is one of the most common fears artists have. It's a real thing, but it doesn't need to hold you back. In this post, I wrote an entire blog post on how to get over your fear and start sharing your art online.
Market to Art Buyers
One of the biggest traps many artists fall into when building their social media presence and planning their marketing is to only target other artists. While it's important to engage with other artists, you also need to market to art buyers and potential clients.
Art buyers are the people who buy art for their home, office, or as a gift for example - and they are not always artists themselves. In fact, many of them have never even picked up a paintbrush in their life.
So, how do you go about marketing to art buyers? The best way is to think about what interests them and where they purchase art similar to yours. Art fairs and art galleries are great places to start, but you can also find art buyers online.
There are a number of online gallery platforms that sell artwork, such as Saatchi Art, Artfinder and 20x200. And, while it can be difficult to stand out on these sites, it's definitely worth considering, especially to sell fine art paintings.
Should You Sell Your Art On Etsy?
An online marketplace like Etsy can be a good place to start your art selling journey. It's a great platform for artists of all levels, as it's easy to set up and doesn't require a lot of maintenance. You can also sell digital products like prints and e-books on Etsy, which is perfect if you're a graphic designer, or just starting out and don't have a lot of physical products to sell.
Another advantage of Etsy is that it has a lot of traffic. This means that your work is likely to be seen by a lot of people, which can help increase your sales.
The disadvantage of using Etsy is that it's very competitive. Because it's so easy to set up an Etsy shop, there are literally millions of other artists selling their work on the platform.
This can make it difficult to stand out and, as a result, you may be tempted to lower your prices in order to be competitive, which is always a terrible idea. Etsy also has many expensive listing fees and it is not user friendly, which can translate into a lot of customer service requests due to website design flaws.
As a youngling, Etsy was my first art shop and, although I made some horrendous mistakes there, I am extremely grateful for it. It generated well over 100000 sales before moving on, and it taught me so much, but at the same time, it also can foster some very unhealthy business behaviour, underselling and undervaluing your work to name a few. So, my advice is it is ok to use Etsy as a stepping stone, but don't stay there for too long.
Sell on Stock Websites
Stock websites like Creative Market, DesignBundles, and Shutterstock are great places to sell your artwork if you are an illustrator or graphic designer. These websites allow you to upload your designs and illustrations and then sell them as digital products for commercial use.
For example, let's say you create a set of illustrations. A customer could purchase a licence for your design and then print it onto greeting cards and then sell them as a product in their store, while you still keep the rights of your artwork. It is also non-exclusive so you can keep selling the same design over and over.
The advantage of selling on stock websites is that you don't have to worry about marketing or promoting your work, as the platform does this for you. You simply need to upload your designs and set your prices.
The downside of selling on stock websites is that you will need to create a lot of designs in order to make a decent income, as each sale only generates a small commission.
So, if you're thinking about selling on stock websites, make sure you have a large portfolio of designs before you get started.
Teaching Art
If you enjoy teaching art, why not consider teaching online? There are a number of websites that offer online art classes, such as Udemy and Skillshare. Skillshare is my personal favourite, I had great success posting my online courses there and they offer fantastic support and resources for both teachers and students.
Teaching online is a great way to make good money as an artist, as it allows you to share your knowledge and skills with others. It also helps build your reputation as an artist and can help you sell your work in the future.
What You Will Need to Teach Art Online
All you need to get started making your first online course is a computer with a microphone and webcam or camera, and an internet connection. A smartphone with a good camera is also enough to get started, but I recommend always using the best microphone you can find, You can then create your course using video editing software like iMovie or Adobe Premiere Pro.
Once you've created your course, you can upload it to a platform like Udemy or Skillshare and start promoting it to potential students.
Marketing Your Online Courses
The key to making money by teaching art online is marketing your course effectively. You'll need to create a sales page for your course and use social media, email marketing, and other marketing channels to promote it.
If you can get students to sign up for your course, you can then start earning an income from it. However, keep in mind that it can take a while to get your first few students.
Conclusion
There are so many ways to earn money from your artistic talent, and although being a business owner might seem daunting, it's definitely doable. Just imagine yourself a few years down the line, with a thriving online art business that brings you both joy and financial stability.
And remember, the most important thing is to stay creative and keep putting your art out there. I believe in you! You can do it! Now get out there and start making some art!
Do you have any other tips for making money as an artist? Share them in the comments below!
Affiliate Links: Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links. This means that if you purchase an item after clicking one of these links, I may receive a commission. However, this does not increase the price you pay and I only recommend products and services that I trust.