In the past, being an artist meant you were either independently wealthy or had enough loyal followers that you could live off selling your work. Nowadays, anyone with a decent creative eye and a decent knowledge of marketing can make serious money online as an artist. All you need is a good idea, a little bit of talent, and a slice of luck.
Below, you’ll learn about 4 ways that artists can make money online, and how you can get started today.
1. Create An Etsy Shop
Etsy is the best-known online marketplace for handmade goods. Since its inception in the early 2000s, Etsy has grown into a global marketplace with 24 million monthly active buyers and over 200 million listings of handmade and artisan-made goods ranging from clothing to furniture and even food. If you can think of something you make that can be sold online, you can set up a shop on Etsy.
One of the biggest draws of Etsy is its extreme variety of products. If you can dream it up, you can probably make it on Etsy. In addition, the platform offers several ways for artists to monetize their work, from standard Etsy store options to specialized programs for photographers, jewelers, and other creative industries.
2. Start A Blog
Blogs are a great way to establish yourself as an expert in your field and to gain credibility with your audience. When executed properly, a blog can be a very powerful tool, allowing you to build a following and attract potential buyers who are interested in what you have to say.
If you can become known for providing useful and authoritative information on your chosen topic, you’ll be able to attract not just potential buyers, but also major industry figures who may be interested in working with you. Start a blog today and begin sharing your knowledge and expertise.
3. Start A YouTube Channel
YouTube is the world’s second-largest social media platform, second only to Facebook. It is home to billions of videos uploaded by users every month. These videos can be of any length and are usually accompanied by upbeat, addictive songs to make them more appealing to mainstream audiences.
The great thing about YouTube is its revenue share program. If you can get 1 million monthly active users, you’ll earn 80% of the revenue from ads placed within your videos. So, if you can establish yourself as an authoritative voice in your field and can attract a devoted audience, you can potentially make a lot of money from creating YouTube content.
4. Start A Podcast
Podcasts are pretty much everywhere these days. Many big tech companies have their own podcasts, as do most major news organizations. If you can get a large audience on your podcast, you can start charging for interviews and other premium content and make serious money.
However, establishing a podcast takes a lot of work, so don’t expect to be able to pull in the big bucks from this channel right away. It will likely take a lot of time and patience to build up an audience and begin making decent money from this source.
The Rewards Of Being An Artist
With the right mindset and a little bit of talent, you can be on your way to financial independence as an artist. Being an independent artist means you set your own hours and work only on projects that interest you. The flexibility of being your own boss is almost unparalleled, allowing you to craft your own destiny. If you want to be a successful artist, you have to be willing to put in the work. You won’t become overnight wealthy, but if you continue to work hard and dedicated to your craft, you will eventually be able to make enough money to support yourself and your creative aspirations. Don’t forget: success takes time.