5 Ways to Make Money as an Artist in 2023

Talent isn’t enough to make money as an artist today. You need to be able to market your art, and more importantly, build a brand.

In fact, you can build a brand right from your bedroom! There are so many tools that artists can use to make money. But it’s more than getting a quick buck: It’s about attracting an audience.

Here are 5 ways to make money as an artist in 2023.

Make Print On-Demand Merch

Print on-demand gives you the power to make your own custom merch without any extra hassles. You upload some awesome artwork, and the rest is taken care of: printing, fulfilling, shipping, even customer service!

You can start your merch shop with ZERO inventory at NO COST. And your merch is only printed when there’s demand. It’s an easy and passive way to make money as an artist.

All kinds of people use print on demand to make merch, but artists have an advantage. They already have art for their merch designs. Upload this art to hundreds of products and customize as you please! Payouts are super easy when you use Spreadshop, too.

Print On-Demand Perks:

• You can start with ZERO inventory
• Printing and shipping is taken care of
• Customer concerns are handled
• Choose from hundreds of products

Sell Custom Art on Fiverr

Custom artwork sells. People want something that’s unique, something that no one else can get. Fiverr allows you to provide that.

It’s FREE to set up your own account on Fiverr. Create you “gig”, which is basically what you offer to clients. Get as specific as you want with your offerings. Advertise that you can design logos, illustrations, website icons, etc. Use keywords to stand out in the market: custom pet drawing, T-Shirt designs.

Showcase previous designs in your portfolio so people can get a feel for your aesthetic. It’s incredibly important that you pick designs that best showcase your style. That way, it’s easier to build your client base and make money as an artist online.

Sell Products on Etsy

Etsy is a great marketplace for all kinds of artists and a key destination for custom artwork. It’s also a go-to destination for gifts. You can truly find something for everybody on your list! Capitalize on this by running sales and offering seasonal products around major holidays.

If you want to sell merch, there’s a way to do that, too! Sell print on-demand products to multiple points of sale, like Etsy, Amazon and Ebay, when you connect SPOD to Order Desk. This allows you to reach an even wider audience than you typically would with a standard print on-demand service.

Offer Commissions on Your Website

Having a website is a great point of contact for artists. It makes you look official and allows you to showcase anything and everything. And you can easily accept commissions.

You don’t need to be a web designer to build a website. Wix and Squarespace are easy-to-use platforms that give you creative freedom. Choose from hundreds of templates and stylize your site with your brand colors and imagery. 

Create a tab specifically for commissions and be clear about pricing and other details. The more transparent, the better. Feature testimonials from previous clients to boost your credibility!

Start a YouTube Channel

YouTube is still a big money maker for creators and artists. You’re able to really build out your channel and tell a bigger story, something you can’t really do on TikTok.

It’s going to take some time to build your channel, but the rewards will be big once you do. Once you become an eligible channel (1,000 subscribers or more), you can take advantage of YouTube Product Tagging. This allows you to link your print on-demand merch in your videos and livestreams. You’ll be able to paint a bigger picture.

When it comes to content, quality is key. Here are some video suggestions:

• Reinterpret trending topics in your style
• Do a timelapse of your art process
• Talk about the DOs and DONTs for beginner artists
• Show your favorite art supplies
• Ask your subscribers what they want to see from you!