Realistic Work-From-Home Ideas for Visual Artists

Visual art has long been a thoroughly rewarding yet challenging career path. If you’re a creative, there probably isn’t another industry or trade that can match the fulfillment you get from creating your art. But is it possible to earn a decent income from your hard work? The short answer is yes. In fact, making money from your original works is more realistic than ever today. And you don’t even have to leave your home to build your brand and income. Consider these tried-and-true strategies, courtesy of New Scene Magazine.

Start a Business

If you want to maximize profit from your art, you must treat it as a business. Whether you’re looking to launch a side business or a full-fledged operation, there are many types of companies to consider. For example, you could sell your art directly, become a teacher in your specialty, consult other businesses on creative projects, or become a blogger.

Once you settle on a business idea, you’ll want to create a business plan. This document will force you to make some important decisions about your new business, including the business structure, your prices and budget, and your marketing strategy. Take each step seriously as it will help you to create a solid foundation for your business moving forward.

Build a Website

No matter what type of business you start, one of the first steps is to create a professional portfolio website. If you don’t already have a name, logo, and other branding elements in place, get those together before building a site. Selling your original works through your own site will allow you to make more money from each transaction. Concept Art Empire suggests having a portfolio site because it will also
help you connect on a deeper level with your target audience. It allows you to showcase a large amount of your work, and it gives you more control over how your collection is presented. You can sell all kinds of visual art through a website, such as:
● Drawings
● Paintings
● Photographs
● Videos
● Graphic designs
● Crafts
● Ceramics
● Sculptures

Sign Up for Stock Sites

Another option is to join stock websites. These sites will cut your profits a bit, but licensing your art can expose your work to a wider audience. Whether you’re a photographer, illustrator, designer, or another type of visual artist, you can generate significant passive income through stock art.

Teach Online

If you would like to help other people learn your craft, consider teaching online classes or workshops. Many visual artists teach private lessons or stream live tutorials through their sites or other platforms. You can also generate passive income by filming an online course to sell from your site.

Add a Blog to Your Site

If you have a knack for writing, you could make money by starting a blog related to your specialty or niche. As an expert in your field, you could quickly garner a following and establish your reputation. Besides maintaining a blog on your own site, seek guest blogging opportunities for other artists and publications.

Become a Consultant

Many individuals and organizations turn to creative consultants for help with various art and design projects. According to LinkedIn, you can make good money as a consultant or curator, and it would keep you active in your industry without compromising your ability to prioritize your own creations.

If you choose to go this route, your website will be even more crucial. Potential clients will want to know that you can do what you say you can do, so take steps to make your website professional while showcasing your work. You should also have quality business cards on hand at all times because you never know when an opportunity might present itself. You can find business card design templates online. These sites make it easy to create a new business card using templates that you can customize to match your business and branding.

Use Online Marketplaces

Along with selling your work through your own website, there are many online marketplaces through which you can make an income. Look to Artfinder or Saatchi Art if you’re an illustrator, painter, photographer, or sculptor. Consider Shutterstock or Creative Market if you’re a graphic designer. And if you specialize in hands and crafts, ArtFire and Etsy are excellent platforms.

Transition Your Passion into Your Business

These days, you can make a living from your passion for visual art. Remember to view your art as a business and treat it accordingly by having a stellar web portfolio and business cards on hand for any opportunity. Following the other tips above will help you get off to a strong start building your career in art. Along the way, keep improving at your craft and make time to explore new ideas!

Looking for a great source for the latest entertainment news? Visit New Scene Magazine!

Photo Credit: Jadson Thomas