Thanks to modern technological advancements, making money using digital tools has become incredibly common. After the pandemic hit, the number of those who preferred to work from home increased. Businesses have transitioned to online sales, seeing the potential of growing their customer base overseas. The has experienced an inflow of applicants who want to earn enough to make a living and to be able to do so from the comfort of their own homes.
Of course, artists are no exception — and while some still have reservations against non-traditional forms of art, digital artists have managed to adapt to the market’s new reality and find a way not only to establish a stable source of income but also to grow their capital significantly. Moreover, NFT art is currently at its peak, with major world-class companies dipping their toes into releasing digital art collections.
If you are reading this article right now, chances are you are one of those artists ready to move onto a different stage in their career. Be it posting your artwork online for the first time or learning new skills to make yourself more marketable, you will find the following tips useful.
How to Increase Your Income in 2023: A Guide for Digital Artists
You might have some questions if you are entering the digital art market. Let us answer some of them before moving on to practical tips.
Is being a digital artist the only way of making money today?
No, and this is not limited to digital artists only. Many artists expand their horizons by dabbling in different kinds of projects. For example, you might start teaching art skills on an educational platform, , or sell your merchandise. The online world can also help you take art commissions if you prefer freelance work.
What are commissions for artists, and how to receive them?
A digital is a service that you provide in return for payment. You will usually find people who want to commission you through social media and job-hunting websites. But how do you make sure you always receive commissions and gigs? Here is where practical tips will come in handy.
Freelance artist vs. employee
First, you must decide whether to be a freelance artist or employed by a company full- or part-time. Each option has certain advantages and disadvantages, depending on the place you live in. A freelance artist gets to choose their work schedule, is more flexible, and can switch places of work more easily. An employee has the benefits that the company usually offers, such as healthcare, paid leave, and relative stability. Whether you choose one or the other, the following tips will help you grow your income quickly. However, depending on your job status, you will probably have to adjust how you present yourself.
Market yourself
Marketing oneself seems like a basic skill everyone should have once they enter the job market. However, it is not as simple as it seems: the particularities of your specific marketing strategy will depend on your unique situation.
Update regularly
In general, one of the first things you should do is make social media accounts and regularly update them. Posting your digital art pieces is a given, but you should also look into other forms of content. Many digitally famous artists gain attention by sharing their work-in-progress sketches and speed paint videos (when you record your screen while drawing and then post the recording).
Examine trends
You might have noticed that some digital works of art gain more traction than others. That is because trends rule the Internet, and remembering that will save you a lot of energy. One of the easier tips is to look at art styles or themes at the height of their popularity. You might even want to draw fan art — artwork created by fans of certain media. Dabbling in fan art might become a great way to draw attention to your original art.
Interact with your followers.
Once you gain a following, you have to keep in touch with them by replying to their comments on your posts. But simply messaging your fans will not get you far — you have to ensure they are engaged in what you offer. One of the ways to do that is to hold a giveaway or take a couple of requests for free. While these steps will not immediately result in earning more money, they will help you secure loyal clients.
Post about your rates.
If you do not tell anyone you take commissions, no one will know that they can order art from you. Creating a separate page with your rates and skills listed there is a great idea. Artists often link their portfolios with the price lists in their social media profile descriptions. Make sure to remind your followers that you take commissions from time to time. Avoid setting the prices too high at the very beginning, but do not underestimate yourself by giving out your work for cheap, either. Finding a perfect balance can be difficult, but you will figure it out quickly.
Sell physical artwork
This step requires a bit more financial investment than the others, but it is a great way to establish your place in the digital art world. If you already have a large enough following, you might want to start selling physical prints, art zines, and other merchandise to expand your area of influence. Hire a so your artwork will be delivered to the client in perfect condition.
Constantly work on your skills.
Self-improvement is one of the most crucial things any artist, digital or traditional, can do. After all, no matter how much resources you spend on marketing yourself, no one will want to own your art if it lacks individuality and skill.
The digital art market is relatively new, but it has already earned itself a reputation as a place where anything is possible if you work hard and know where to apply your skills. Entering this world might seem scary initially, but once you do it, you will be surrounded by a universe of possibilities. Good luck on your journey!