Most of us are passionate about art and enjoy spending our free time engaged with something creative. Unfortunately, the cost of goods and tools for creative work increase with time. As a result, many aspiring artists find themselves struggling to make a living from their art. There is a way to make money from art, however, and it doesn’t require expensive tools or large quantities of stock. All you need is a passion for art and the willingness to learn.
The good news is that the internet makes it easier for artists to connect with potential clients and gain exposure for their work. Thanks to online marketplaces like Etsy, Artfinder, and others, there are countless opportunities for artists to showcase and sell their work to the world. In addition, there are many ways to make money online without having to paint or draw. If you have a good eye for fashion, you can make a substantial amount of money by taking digital photos of products and selling them as prints online. If you are a musician or a singer, you can make money online by recording and promoting your songs. If you are a writer, you can make money via affiliate marketing or even just doing blog posts for free (with the occasional purchase of a product or service you recommend). In fact, the opportunities are endless! We will discuss a few of the best ways to make money from art online and how you can get started on the right foot.
Create a Blog
The first and most basic step towards making money from art is to set up a blog. A blog is a website where you can post stories, product reviews, and other forms of content. In most cases, you can set up a simple blog for free with the popular blogging platforms like wordpress.com or github.com. Once you have your blog set up, the next step is to populate it with content. If you are looking for additional ways to make money from art, setting up a blog is a necessary starting point. Having a blog makes it much easier to gain online credibility as an expert in your chosen field. When potential clients come to your blog for information, you can refer them to a different source if you don’t have the time to thoroughly discuss the matter. In addition, if you ever decide to discontinue freelance work and focus on your blog full time, you can quickly move to the next step.
Test Product Reviews
Another way to make money from art is to test product reviews. If you enjoy reviewing products and discovering the best ones to recommend to your readers, you can make a steady stream of income by taking up product testing. Most review sites like Amazon and Newegg don’t offer a solid return policy, so if you want to try out a product you’ve never heard of before, you’ll have to make a few purchases before you get a chance to try it out. Before you begin product testing, it’s important to determine how many hours you’ll need to commit to it. If you’re looking for a side business idea that doesn’t require much effort, this is a good choice.
Start an Online Shop
If you’re an artist seeking to make money from your work, your best chance of succeeding is by becoming your own boss and controlling your own hours. A good alternative to painting or illustrating is to start an online shop. An online shop is a place where you sell and ship whatever you want. Many artists who have successfully transitioned from a traditional art career to an online one do so because they enjoy the freedom of being their own boss.
The first step towards starting an online shop is to choose a domain name for it. The name of your website will be your virtual storefront and it will serve as a permanent link to your shop. The next step is to find a reputable supplier for the products you’ll be selling. Ideally, you’ll want to work with a company that ships worldwide and has a good return policy. Once you have found the perfect provider, it’s time to move to the next step and create the shop layout.
Shopify
For those seeking a more sophisticated approach, you can use Shopify to build a fully functioning eCommerce store. Shopify is a bit more expensive than the other software options discussed here, but it offers so many features that it’s worth it. The basic version of Shopify, called Shopify Basic, is free and will allow you to build a simple store with the essentials required for online sales. The better version, called Shopify Plus, which costs $15 per month, adds features like inventory management, online payments, and much more. If you’re looking for a simple, yet effective, way to start your own online shop, Shopify is the perfect solution.
Etsy
Etsy is the world’s largest online marketplace for buying and selling goods from independent businesses and artists. It was founded in 2007 and is available in over 200 countries. On Etsy, you’ll find a wide variety of products, including artwork, clothing, gifts, and more. If you are an independent business or an artist seeking to make money from your work, Etsy is the best place to be.
Artfinder
Artfinder is a marketplace that connects professional artists with buyers worldwide. The platform was founded in 2011 and is available in over 20 countries worldwide. On Artfinder, you’ll find a large selection of products, including artwork, gifts, and stationery. If you are an independent business or an artist seeking to make money from your work, Artfinder is the perfect place to be.
Blogs & Medium Posts
Blogs and medium posts are other ways to make money from art. A blog is a digital publication that provides news and information about your chosen topic. When someone stumbles upon your blog, they’ll usually stay and read several articles or view a post on your behalf. In some instances, you’ll make money just from having a blog. If you choose to accept sponsorships or affiliate marketing, you can gain additional revenue and have your articles appear in print as well. Medium posts are like blogs but they usually only provide content for online readers.
Any of these options for making money from art are valid and reliable, but it’s important to find what works best for you. In many instances, setting up a blog and becoming a regular contributor to a series of online magazines is a profitable venture. If you’re seeking to make money from art, these are certainly viable and profitable options to explore.