10 Methods to Earn Money as an artist

Mar 16, 2022

The ability to turn your passion into cash can be done. Like all good things to do, earning money as an artist requires an organized approach as well as many hours of effort.

Based on our experiences and conversations with a lot of artists, we put together an inventory of the most successful methods of earning money an artist.

 10 the most effective ways to earn money an artist

  1.   Teach Online Courses
  2.   Provide Tutorials and Mini-courses
  3.   Video Consulting and Teaching
  4.   Video-making of the process of making art
  5.   Make a Youtube channel
  6.   Selling Original Pieces
  7.   Buy NFTs
  8.   Sale Art Prints
  9.   Sell Digital Stock Artwork
  10.   Commissions on work

BONUS: Where to advertise your work


There's a myriad of ways to earn money as an artist, and you could have multiple sources of revenue. If you're a freelance artist or self-employed permanent artist there are many ways to earn money with your work.

 Online courses to teach

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Source: Jennifer Gast online courses

It's not simple to launch your own online class on the very first day. However, you could start by signing up with several of them and check out how they're planned and then use an established website that offers online courses to get ideas. Naturally, we at CreativeMindClass we are keen about teaching online courses through an entirely independent platform. You can be at the at the wheel.

 Provide tutorials and miniature-courses

If you've already established an audience who trusts you through your blog or social media platforms, you could start by providing instructions or even mini-courses that show you how to create your artwork that come in different forms including videos webcasts, PDFs, or even webinars.

 Teaching and video consulting

If you've already had the experience, you could help others who are aspiring artists pursue their ambitions. You can make paid videos and give lectures via Zoom or Facetime. Many people would rather take an online class or webinar at home and are particularly interested in those who don't get many chances in the local area for going to a class.

 Video-clips of the art-making process

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Source: Riccardo Russomanno art-making process

If you're an artist creating fun and unique project, next time you're in the studio, start the camera, and record your creation-making process. Are you looking for an online course idea? You can combine illustration using someone's photos or create a fun illustration of their family. Customers will not only enjoy the artwork, but also learn how the artwork was created.

 Make with a Youtube channel

If the thought of selling online courses doesn't inspire you, but you enjoy entertaining, teaching, and doing live shows, setting up an YouTube channel could be the best option. Remember that you'll probably not make a lot at first but content of good quality that addresses a problem or entertains, can draw more attention as well as earn money over time.

 Selling Original Pieces

You can sell your original artwork. You can offer your artwork or sculptures, as well as jewelry and ornamental objects in your online store or site.

It's best to start with, an established online art marketplace with hundreds of buyers and millions of visitors instead of waiting for potential buyers to find your web portfolio which has virtually no visitors.

Certain platforms provide you with the possibility of having your art work included in an opportunity for marketing.

 SELL NFTs

Do you have an aptitude in digital art? You might be interested to know how to sell art created using NFT. Numerous collectors and artists are taking advantage of this type of digital art collective' and earning some cool money. This is the hottest thing now and although the potential of NFTs' future isn't yet certain, if there is a new method to make money using a blockchain it's definitely something you must not ignore.

There are a lot of marketplaces online that offer artists the chance to market their work through printing-on-demand. Moreover, some of them assist artists by including them on their Social media channels.

 SELL Digital Artwork for Stock

In your capacity as a graphic artist photographer, illustrator, as well as a videographer may use your work on websites that stock images to generate income from your art of making.

 Work on Commissions

Receive direct orders from individuals or corporations to create unique work starting with scratch.

Working for clients doesn't have to be boring. When you're a painter or an illustrator or illustrator, you can get paid for street art or indoor or outdoor mural painting and design. Additionally, you could team up with other creatives like musicians, and make for example artwork to be used on the Spotify music cover.

 How to promote your Art?

Okay. so we discussed what to sell now the question is where to offer it.

 Create your own Creative Blog

The establishment of your blog of your preference is one of the best methods of marketing to attract customers in the present.

This was by far the best decision I've made during my professional journey. Trust and authority are earned by promoting your job. How to accomplish this is to communicate to your intended audience and give all the details they're looking for. If it's photography of graphic design as well as social media, or art, you'll be able to identify a blog niche which is appropriate for your needs.

A website that gets a lot of traffic can be a lucrative business (this takes effort and commitment) through advertisements or affiliate hyperlinks, in addition to sponsors and advertisers.

 Design and Create an eBook

If you're writing or blogging this is the next step that you'll follow after having established a following. It's easier to market and sell your ebook to people with an interest in your field. feel confident in your experience.

 Education and Mentoring

A lot of artists and creatives have shared their stories of tutoring, teaching, and mentoring via video calls or on online teaching platforms. There is a good chance that you will begin your career as a coach. However, when you're engaged in blogging or teaching it's an option to consider the next stage.

 Works for online Marketplaces or Galleries

You will gain important experience by working behind-the-scenes, which involves providing services like curating, selling or marketing artwork.

In addition to making profits, you open your mind to possibilities that you wouldn't be able to.

This is a decision that you should take if aspiring to get deeper into the realm of art, rather than just selling your art work.

 work for blogs and magazines

Writing, photographing and conducting art on blogs and the press is an exciting method to not only earn an income as an artist, but as an opportunity to make connections and put your name in front of more individuals.

If you're struggling to set up the blog or site that you're looking for, we're here to tell you that it'sn't quite as hard as you'd think. What you must be is a consistent reader (that is, posting comments on their blog posts or joining groups online).

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

 Promote the use of social Media

It is possible to earn income as an artist by using Instagram and other social media and creating the blog of your choice. Whichever channel you promote and showcase your work, remember that Social media is just one of the methods for marketing and networking, and you don't want to be 100% dependent on it.

Facebook, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are among the most well-known platforms for artists, however it is your responsibility to pick the right option for you.

Marketing via social media can be a constant job However, it's worth it provided you're willing to put in the effort.

 Be ready for a long run

I'm not lying to you that the path to success doesn't come quick or straightforward. It takes hard work, determination, patience, and a strategic approach to make income as an artist but more and more people achieve success in earning a livelihood out of this.

If you consider your art as a business, and not simply a hobby to enjoy and you'll have better chances of being one of the fortunate ones!

It is possible to create a long-term income source by being an artist CreativeMindClass.