Good news, everyone! The artworld is growing at an incredible speed, and the digital art field is exploding. More and more people are shifting towards digital mediums for their artistic expression. There are so many young aspiring artists out there who are creating amazing works of art with digital tools.
But you know what? It’s still hard to figure out how to make money from this passion. Many of these artists are just kids who don’t know where to start monetizing their work. Others are adults who have been in the business for years now but still have trouble making rent each month. And it’s not that they’re not skilled or creative enough. It’s just that there aren’t a lot of full-time jobs available in this field.
So what can you do if you want to make money as a digital artist? Well, there are a few ways to monetize your digital art through online recognition. Let’s look at some of these ways which can make you a heft sum as a digital artist! But first, let’s understand what a digital artist is?
What is a Digital Artist?
Well, for one thing, it’s not a job title. It’s not a specific career path. Digital Artists are as varied as the digital world itself. They’re everywhere and nowhere at once. They may be graphic designers or architects who use digital tools to help them create their work. Might be someone like our friend John who creates animation or special effects for movies and TV shows.
They might be the artist who made that website you visited. Or they might be the person who makes your favourite video game look phenomenal and helps make it fun to play. Maybe they’re a live-streamer who creates original art while broadcasting online. Or even a musician or singer-songwriter. Who use music production software to record their latest album in their own home studio.
But no matter how you slice it, Digital Artists are people who use technology to create digital art.
How to Sell Digital Art Online and Make Money?
1. Instagram
When it comes to selling digital art through Instagram. The first thing you need to do is establish your brand. What’s your style? What type of artwork are you looking to sell? To build an established brand on Instagram, try these steps:
- Pick an Account Name That Is Easy to Find and Remember
- Choose a Single Theme and Stick with It
- Post Consistently
- Tag Your Posts with Relevant Hashtags
- Use the Logo of Your Business as Your Profile Picture
- Post High-Quality Images Only
- Set Up a Separate Business Account and Link It to Your Personal Account
- Write a Catchy Bio (Use Emoji!)
- Create a Theme for Your Profile Page
- Engage with Other Users
Once you’ve got that down, start building a portfolio by posting on Instagram. As well as use other social media channels under one unified brand. You should also collect testimonials from anyone who has purchased your art and post those too.
Next, set up a virtual store with a platform like Shopify or WooCommerce. So people can buy from you without having to send you money through Instagram. Make sure to link to this store on your Instagram account! Finally, create an advertising budget and start using Instagram Ads to help promote your posts and drive traffic to your store.
2. Etsy
So you have some great digital artwork and you want to sell it online. Etsy is one of the best places to start. Etsy has over 30 million active buyers. So there’s a good chance that someone out there will buy your art. Here’s how to start selling through Etsy:
a. Create a Seller Account
You’ll have to register as a seller on Etsy to sell your artwork. On Etsy’s website, click Sell on Etsy at the top of the page, then click Open Your Etsy Shop. From here, follow the prompts to create your account and set up your shop.
b. Set Up Your Profile
Once you’ve registered as a seller. You’ll need to set up your profile and shop front so that people can find you and learn more about your work. Your profile should include a professional looking photo of yourself or your logo. Also, use a short bio that tells customers who you are and what they can expect from buying from you.
You’ll also want to set up your policies and shipping information. So that customers know when they can expect their products. Also, returns are accepted or not.
c. List Your Artwork
Once everything is set up, it’s time to start listing those digital pieces! List your digital artwork one by one and set a price tag to each one of them. Also, don’t forget to set special listings for your special artworks!
3. Sell your Digital Art NFTs
Non-fungible tokens are a way to represent ownership of a digital asset or collection of assets. They’re usually represented by an Ethereum smart contract. And they’re connected to an auction site on which the assets can be sold. NFTs help artists create an economic incentive for their work. Also, help them prove ownership of their assets so that they can’t be used in ways they didn’t intend.
In some cases, artists can also bundle their NFTs with additional services, such as personalization. So, if you’re an artist and want to sell digital art as NFTs. The first thing you’ll need to do is create an account on a platform like OpenSea or Rarible. Then, you can upload your work in crypto-ready formats like .png and .jpg.
You’ll then have to decide whether you want to auction off your work or set a fixed price. As with any auction, keep in mind that bidders will start at a lower amount. Then they’re willing to pay and may try to outbid other people. It’s best to leave your starting bid low. When you’ve set a minimum price for the auction, it’s time to promote your work through social media, word of mouth, and other forms of communication!
4. Sell your Digital Art through Print-On-Demand Websites
Selling your digital art through Print-On-Demand sites can be a great way to earn some passive income. And with multiple sites to choose from, you have a lot of options for where to start. But first, before you upload your digital art to one of these sites. You’ll need to make sure it’s been created in a high resolution file format—like TIFF, for example.
Once you’ve got that taken care of, it’s a matter of choosing the right site. Here are a few things you should think about when making your decision:
- How much do I want to pay?
- What kind of products am I interested in selling?
- How many designs can I upload at once?
- How much profit will I make per sale?
If you’re on a tight budget but still want access to lots of different product types. Then check out sites like ArtBro or Redbubble. They both offer free uploads and a wide variety of products. Including apparel, home decor items, and more. Their commission rates are pretty reasonable!
5. Become a Freelancer!
Are you interested in selling your digital work online? Freelance websites can be a great way to find buyers. But it can also be a bit tricky if you’re used to working in a more traditional art gallery. Luckily for you, we’ve pulled together some tips for getting started.
a. Get your portfolio ready
The first thing you need to do is get an online portfolio of your artwork. Which represents all the pieces you want to sell. Include images that are clear and show the details of your work well. You may want to include a price list or information about why you made the piece or what it means to you. Your potential buyers might appreciate this extra context.
b. Find freelance marketplaces
There are many freelance marketplaces out there. so start by doing some research on which ones will be most beneficial for artists like you. Try searching “art & writing” or “graphic design” on sites like Etsy and Behance to see what comes up.
c. Create an account and start posting your work!
Once you’ve found the best sites for selling your work. Head over and create an account on each one that seems like it’ll be a good fit for you. Posting pieces of your content can get you international clients who might even become your regular customers.
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The Bottom Line
Selling digital art online can be a difficult task. But once you get a hang of it you can try it out on online marketplaces, social media platforms, and even freelance websites. You can make a hefty amount for yourself.