Selling art online can be a great side hustle for artists who want to make extra money on the side.
The key benefits of selling art online are that it is an easy way to get started and you can do it from anywhere in the world.
Selling art online is also more convenient than traditional methods because it's easier to manage orders, there's less overhead cost and you can sell anywhere in the world.
Online selling platforms like Etsy and eBay offer a lot of advantages for artists who want to sell their work. These platforms provide a way to showcase your work, reach a broader audience and help you get feedback on your work.
Before diving in to what and where can one sell art, let's understand about pursuing art as a side hustle.
Art as a Side Hustle:
1. Can art be a side hustle?
Art is one of the fast emerging side hustles today and can be a lucrative side job. If you are interested in creative side hustles, art is certainly worth pursuing.
For those talented in art, it is worth trying and seeing how much you can earn. Some people are able to sell their artwork for even tens of thousands of dollars.
Art can be one of the highest earning side hustles, if you know what art forms to sell and where to sell them.
2. How can I make money on the side of my art?
It is common for artists to be interested in making money on the side of their art. Many people are not able to make a living off of their art and need to find other ways to make money. This, however, is a misconception and should not let you down.
The most important thing when it comes to selling art is to know your audience. You should know what buyers want and how much they are willing to pay for the type of work that you do.
This way, you will be able to create the type of products and services your buyers want and be successful.
There are many ways that you can make money with your art. Some artists sell their work, some create commissioned pieces, some teach classes and workshops, some do commissions for others, and others sell prints and other items online.
By developing your skills and providing value to your customers, you can certainly make money on the side of your art.
3. Can you make a living selling art?
It is not easy to make a living selling art while you are in the learning phase or in the initial stage of your small business. That is why it is important to start selling your art as a side hustle until you gain a wider audience.
There are many things to consider when trying to sell art for a living. First, you need to be able to create high-quality artwork and then sell it at a price that is worth the money. You also need to understand how much people will pay for your work and how much time you want to spend on the craft.
It is better to start slow and be consistent as you make progress in your side hustle.
4. Can you sell art as a hobby?
Art is a very personal and subjective thing. The price of a piece of art is determined by the artist's skill level, the time they spent working on it and their reputation.
If you're an artist who wants to sell your work as a hobby, then you'll need to slowly build up your reputation so people will appreciate your art and know that your work is worth buying.
Remember that a hobby is different from a side hustle. While hobby is generally pursued for personal happiness, a side hustle or a small business is done with the intention of making money.
5. How do you start an art side hustle?
Before you start an art side hustle, you first need to niche down your skill. Find out what form of art you are interested in as a side hustle - Photography, Calligraphy, Graphic Design, Illustration, Web Designing or anything else? Once you figure it out, enhance your skill set on it.
The best way to start an art side hustle is to find a way to fill in the gaps in your current work life.
For example, if you have some free time at work, then make use of online tutorials to learn art or design. If you have time before or after work, then use it for creating your art.
Time management is vital when you start your side hustle. Learn to utilize even small chunks of time and make progress while creating your products.
It's also important to find a balance between your side hustle and your main income source until you are certain to convert your side hustle into a full time profitable business.
6. How can a part time artist make money?
A part time artist can make money in a number of ways. He/she can make money by selling products, online courses, e-books or finding a part-time teaching job that allows them to use their creative skills.
7. How do artists make passive income?
There are a variety of ways to make passive income with art. One way is by selling your work on online marketplace for handmade items and crafts in physical galleries.
Another way to make passive income with art is by licensing your work to companies who will use it for promotional purposes.
Selling Art as a Side Hustle - What To Sell Online:
Deciding what to sell in your art side hustle is crucial as it is the first step towards success. Here is a list that will help you decide what to pick:
Painting
Photography
Procreate Brushes, Photoshop Brushes
Lightroom Presets
Calligraphy - Fonts
Illustrations
Doodles
Graphic Design
- Wallpapers
- Logos,
- Digital Art (Stickers, Coloring Sheets, Clip Art etc.),
- Printables,
- Downloadable files (SVG, Vector Graphics, PNG files),
- Mockups - Canva, InDesign, Photoshop Templates etc.
9. Hand Painted Products
10. Print-on-demand products
11. Online Courses
12. Ebooks
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Selling Art As A Side Hustle - Where To Sell Online:
Once you have decided what art you want to sell, it is time to focus on where you are going to sell your art products.
Here are some of the ways/places you can sell your art:
1. Online Store on your website
If you have your own website or blog, you can set up your online store as part of your website and start selling to your audience.
For example, if you own a website with Wix, you can create an online store with Wix and sell your art right away.
You can also integrate your Shopify store or Etsy store to your website and sell your products easily.
2. Affiliate Marketing
You can also sign up for various affiliate programs to recommend and sell the art you like.
This way, you do not have to create any art yourself. All you need to do is market various products from affiliate programs and earn money for each sale through your referral.
For example, Amazon Affiliates Program is a great way for bloggers and website owners to earn money.
This program allows them to link products from Amazon's catalog to their site, and then receive a commission on all sales they generate.
3. Social Media
Social media is a free platform to network, showcase your talent and earn subscribers to whom you can sell your products and services. In this digital age, what better than starting your side hustle through social media?
YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest are such a boon to creators and side hustlers today. Although you might have a slow start in these platforms, consistent effort will gain you loyal subscribers.
For example, if you possess excellent portrait painting skills, you can teach about it online. Over a period of time, you can provide portrait painting services as you get more subscribers.
Simply utilize the power of social media and take your side hustle to next level!
4. E-Commerce platforms
You can also opt to sell your art in these 23 e-commerce marketplaces and earn from the comfort of your home:
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5. Sell Courses
You can sell your art courses on online platforms such as Udemy, Coursera and Skillshare.
You can also create your online courses on Teachable, Kajabi, Podia, Thinkific etc. to share your knowledge and make money out of it.
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Final Thoughts On Selling Art As A Side Hustle:
A thing of beauty is a joy forever. And so is art. It not only makes you money, but also spreads happiness to your customers.
Art can help you explore your creative side and bring immense satisfaction. If you are an artist or a creative person, hope this article helped you with valuable insights on selling your art as a side hustle!
Do share your views in the comments section below!