6 Ways to Monetize Your Art Skills Online: Turn Your Passion into a Side Hustle
Are you an artist looking to turn your passion into profit? The internet has opened up exciting new ways for creative people to make money from their skills.
You don’t need to be a famous painter or sculptor to earn cash from your art.
With some effort and know-how, you can start bringing in extra income from your artistic talents.
Selling your art online can be a great side hustle to supplement your regular income. Whether you create digital designs, paintings, drawings, or other types of artwork, there are many platforms where you can reach potential buyers.
This article will explore six ways you can monetize your art skills on the internet.
We’ll look at different options to help you find the best fit for your style and goals.
1) Sell prints on Etsy
Want to make some extra cash with your art? Etsy is a great place to start.
It’s easy to set up a shop and start selling prints of your work.
First, decide what kind of prints you want to offer.
You can go for traditional paper prints, canvas prints, or even digital downloads.
Each has its own pros and cons.
Next, take high-quality photos of your artwork.
Good photos are key to catching buyers’ eyes.
Make sure the lighting is spot-on and the colors look true to life.
When setting up your Etsy shop, pick a catchy name and write clear descriptions for your prints.
Use keywords that potential buyers might search for.
Pricing your prints can be tricky.
Look at what similar artists charge, but don’t undersell yourself.
Remember to factor in Etsy’s fees and your materials costs.
Marketing is crucial for your side hustle.
Share your Etsy shop on social media.
Pinterest and Instagram are great for visual art.
You can also join Etsy teams to connect with other sellers and get tips.
Don’t forget to provide top-notch customer service.
Respond quickly to messages and ship orders promptly.
Happy customers often leave good reviews, which can boost your sales.
Selling prints on Etsy takes some work, but it can be a fun way to earn money from your art.
Give it a shot and see where it takes you!
2) Create a Patreon account
Want to turn your art into a cool side hustle? Creating a Patreon account might be just the ticket.
It’s a platform where your fans can support your work with monthly payments.
First, set up your profile.
Make it pop with eye-catching visuals and a clear description of what you offer.
Think about what makes your art unique and why people should back you.
Next, decide on your reward tiers. Start small with something simple like behind-the-scenes content for $1 a month.
As you go up, offer more valuable perks like prints or custom sketches.
Don’t forget to promote your Patreon.
Share it on your social media and mention it in your YouTube videos or blog posts.
The more people know about it, the better your chances of gaining supporters.
Keep your patrons happy by posting regular updates.
Show them works in progress, share your creative process, or give them sneak peeks of upcoming projects.
Remember, building a following on Patreon takes time.
Stay patient and keep creating awesome art.
With dedication, you can turn your passion into a steady stream of income on the side.
3) Offer online art classes on Skillshare
Want to turn your art skills into a cool side hustle? Teaching online classes on Skillshare could be your ticket.
It’s a great way to share your knowledge and make some extra cash.
Skillshare is a popular platform for creative folks like you.
It’s where people go to learn all sorts of artistic skills.
You can teach anything from painting to digital art to sculpture.
Creating a class is pretty simple.
Just pick a topic you’re good at and break it down into easy-to-follow steps.
Record yourself teaching, and upload the videos to Skillshare.
The best part? You don’t need to be a famous artist to start.
Plenty of regular artists make money teaching on Skillshare.
It’s all about sharing what you know in a fun, engaging way.
You’ll earn money based on how many people watch your classes.
The more popular your class, the more you can make.
Some teachers even turn this into a full-time gig.
Remember, teaching is also a great way to improve your own skills.
As you explain techniques to others, you’ll find yourself getting better too.
So why not give it a shot? Your art skills could be the key to a cool side income.
Plus, you’ll be helping others learn and grow their creativity.
4) Join a stock photo site like Shutterstock
Want to make money from your photos? Stock photography sites like Shutterstock offer a great way to earn some extra cash.
It’s pretty simple to get started.
Just sign up as a contributor and upload your best shots.
You don’t need fancy gear – even smartphone pics can work if they’re high quality.
The cool thing is, once your photos are up, they can keep making money for you.
People from all over the world might buy and use your images.
Don’t worry if you’re new to this.
These sites often give tips to help you improve your skills and boost your earnings.
You can learn what kinds of photos sell best.
Shutterstock isn’t the only option.
There are other sites like Vecteezy or Adobe Stock.
You might want to try a few to see which works best for you.
Remember, it’s not just about photos.
If you’re into graphic design, you can sell vectors and illustrations too.
Some sites even take video clips.
The best part? You can do all this from home in your spare time.
It’s a flexible side gig that fits around your schedule.
Just keep snapping and uploading.
The more quality content you have out there, the better your chances of making sales.
Who knows? Your hobby could turn into a nice little earner.
5) Design merch for Redbubble
Want to turn your art into cool stuff people can buy? Redbubble is a great place to start.
It’s an online marketplace where you can upload your designs and sell them on all kinds of products.
Think t-shirts, stickers, phone cases, and even home decor.
You don’t need to worry about printing or shipping – Redbubble handles all that for you.
To get started, just sign up for an account and pick a catchy username.
Make sure it reflects your art style and is easy to remember.
Next, start uploading your best designs. Try creating artwork that fits different products well.
A cool pattern might look great on a shower curtain, while a witty slogan could be perfect for a mug.
Keep an eye on what’s trending and popular on the site.
This can give you ideas for new designs that might sell well.
Don’t forget to use good tags and descriptions for your work.
This helps customers find your stuff when they’re searching.
The best part? You can do this as a side gig.
Spend a few hours a week creating new designs, and you could start seeing some extra cash rolling in.
Remember, it might take some time to build up sales.
But stick with it, keep improving your designs, and you could turn your art skills into a nice little side income.
6) Start a YouTube channel for tutorials
Want to make money from your art skills? Try starting a YouTube channel for tutorials.
It’s a fun way to share your knowledge and earn cash on the side.
Pick a niche you’re good at.
Maybe it’s watercolor painting, digital illustration, or pottery.
Focus on what you know best.
Plan your content.
Make a list of topics you can teach.
Start with the basics and work up to more advanced techniques.
Get the right gear.
You’ll need a decent camera, microphone, and lighting.
Don’t worry, you can start simple and upgrade later.
Show your process step-by-step.
Explain things clearly and keep it interesting.
Be consistent.
Try to post new videos regularly.
This helps build an audience and keeps people coming back for more.
Monetize your YouTube channel once you meet the requirements.
You can earn money from ads, sponsorships, and memberships.
Promote your channel on social media.
Share snippets of your videos to attract more viewers.
Interact with your audience.
Respond to comments and ask what they want to learn next.
This builds a community around your channel.
Don’t forget to have fun! Your passion for art will shine through and keep viewers hooked.
Building an Online Presence
A strong online presence is key to monetizing your art skills.
It helps you reach more potential buyers and showcase your work to a wider audience.
Let’s look at some ways to build your digital footprint.
Creating a Portfolio Website
Your portfolio website is your digital storefront.
It’s where you can display your best work and tell your story as an artist.
Make sure your site is:
- Easy to navigate
- Mobile-friendly
- Visually appealing
Include high-quality images of your art, an about page, and contact info.
Add a blog to share your creative process and connect with fans.
Consider using platforms like Wix or Squarespace if you’re not tech-savvy.
Don’t forget to add a way for visitors to buy your art directly from your site.
This could be through an online store or a simple contact form for commissions.
Leveraging Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for artists.
It lets you connect with art lovers and potential buyers worldwide.
Pick 2-3 platforms that fit your style and audience.
Instagram and Pinterest are great for visual art.
Twitter can help you join conversations in the art world.
Facebook is good for building a community around your work.
Post regularly and engage with your followers.
Share works in progress, behind-the-scenes peeks, and finished pieces.
Use relevant hashtags to reach new audiences.
Try these ideas to boost engagement:
• Host live Q&A sessions
• Run contests or giveaways
• Share time-lapse videos of your creative process
Engaging with Art Communities
Online art communities can help you grow your network and skills.
Join forums, groups, and platforms where artists and art lovers hang out.
Some popular ones include:
- DeviantArt
- Behance
- ArtStation
Take part in discussions, give and receive feedback, and collaborate with other artists.
This can lead to new opportunities and exposure for your work.
Consider joining online art challenges or virtual exhibitions.
These events can help you push your creative boundaries and get your art in front of new eyes.
Remember to be genuine in your interactions.
Building real connections can lead to sales, commissions, and valuable partnerships down the line.
Marketing Your Art
Getting your art in front of potential buyers is key to making money online.
Smart marketing can help you reach more people and boost sales.
Utilizing SEO for Your Art Content
Want more eyes on your artwork? SEO can help.
Use keywords in your art titles and descriptions that people might search for.
Think about what someone looking for your style of art would type into Google.
Try making blog posts about your creative process.
This gives you more chances to use keywords.
Plus, it helps fans connect with you.
Don’t forget image SEO.
Name your art files with descriptive titles before uploading.
Add alt text to images on your website too.
Make sure your site loads fast.
Google likes speedy sites, and so do art fans!
Email Marketing Strategies
Build an email list to keep in touch with art lovers.
Offer a freebie like a digital wallpaper to encourage signups.
Send regular updates about new pieces you’re working on.
This keeps fans excited about your art.
Try segmenting your list.
Send different emails to buyers versus window shoppers.
Buyers might want first dibs on new work.
Window shoppers might need more convincing.
Include clear calls-to-action in your emails.
Make it easy for readers to check out your latest pieces or commission work.
Don’t overdo it with sales pitches.
Mix in behind-the-scenes content and art tips to keep subscribers engaged.