As an artist or creative, you may have heard the term “side hustle” thrown around a lot lately. But what exactly is a side hustle, and why is it important for artists and creatives?
Simply put, a side hustle is a way to make money outside of your primary job. It can be a great way to supplement your income and gain financial stability, as well as provide an outlet for your creativity. In this blog post, we’ll be discussing five different side hustle ideas that are perfect for artists and creatives.
From selling custom artwork and prints to teaching art classes, to writing and illustrating a children’s book, we’ve got you covered. So whether you’re looking to make some extra cash or simply want to explore new creative avenues, read on!
Selling Custom Artwork and Prints
One of the easiest ways for artists and creatives to start a side hustle is by selling custom artwork and prints online.
Platforms like Etsy and Society6 make it easy to set up shop and start selling your work to a global audience. These platforms allow you to create your own online store, upload your artwork, and set your own prices. Not only that, but they also handle all the logistics of shipping and handling for you, so you can focus on creating new work.
Plus, with a platform like Etsy, you can also sell vintage and handmade items, opening up even more possibilities for your side hustle. The potential for selling artwork and prints online is endless and can be a great way to turn your passion into profit.
Tips for Pricing and Promoting Your Work
When it comes to selling your artwork and prints online, pricing and promotion are crucial. You want to make sure you’re pricing your work fairly, while also making a profit. One tip for pricing your work is to research similar artists and see what they’re charging for their pieces. Additionally, you can consult with art experts or other artists for advice on pricing.
Promotion is also key to getting your work seen and sold. A great way to start promoting your work is by sharing it on social media. Utilize platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to showcase your art and interact with potential customers.
You can also reach out to art blogs or publications to feature your work. Additionally, consider participating in online art fairs or exhibitions, which can give you the opportunity to connect with other artists and potential buyers.
Another great way to promote your work is by creating a mailing list and sending out newsletters to your followers, keeping them updated on your new pieces, exhibitions, and any special promotions you may have.
Finally, don’t forget to make use of the built-in promotion tools provided by the platform you’re using, such as tags, keywords, and categories that will help your work to be found more easily by potential buyers.
Teaching Art Classes or Workshops
Another great side hustle idea for artists and creatives is teaching art classes or workshops. Whether you prefer to teach in person or online, there are plenty of opportunities to share your knowledge and skills with others.
In-person classes and workshops can be held at community centers, art schools, or even in your own studio. This can be a great way to connect with local artists and build a community of students.
Online classes and workshops, on the other hand, offer the flexibility of being able to reach a global audience and not being limited by location. Platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, or Skype allow you to conduct classes and workshops from the comfort of your own home. Additionally, there are several online teaching platforms, like Skillshare, Udemy, or Coursera, that make it easy to create and publish your own course.
In either case, teaching art classes and workshops can be a great way to supplement your income and give back to the art community. Plus, it can be incredibly rewarding to see your students progress and learn new skills.
When creating your classes or workshops, think about the skills and techniques that you are most passionate about teaching, and tailor the class to suit your students’ needs. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different formats, like webinars, live streaming, or pre-recorded videos, to see what works best for you and your audience.
How to Market Your Classes and Attract Students
Once you’ve decided to start teaching art classes or workshops, the next step is to market them and attract students. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Utilize social media: Share information about your classes and workshops on your personal and business social media accounts. Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to reach a wider audience and interact with potential students.
- Create a website: Having a website for your classes or workshops is a great way to provide information about your classes and make it easy for potential students to sign up.
- Reach out to local art organizations: Connect with local art organizations and see if they would be interested in promoting your classes to their members.
- Network with other artists: Attend art events and meet other artists in your community. This can be a great way to connect with potential students and promote your classes.
- Use email marketing: Create an email list and send out newsletters to promote your classes and workshops. This can be a great way to reach potential students and keep them updated on upcoming classes.
- Offer a free class or trial session: Offer a free class or trial session to give potential students a taste of what your class is like and build their trust.
Finally, make sure to be consistent in your marketing efforts, and don’t be afraid to try different strategies to find what works best for you and your audience. With the right approach and a bit of persistence, you’ll be able to attract and retain a steady stream of students for your classes or workshops.
Freelance Graphic Design
With the growing need for visual content in today’s digital world, there’s a high demand for skilled graphic designers who can create eye-catching designs for websites, social media, and marketing materials.
As a freelance graphic designer, you have the freedom to work on your own schedule and choose the projects that interest you the most. You can work with small businesses, start-ups, or even larger companies, giving you a wide range of opportunities to explore and grow your skills. Plus, you can set your own rates and choose the type of work that you want to take on.
To get started, you will need to build a portfolio of your work. This can be a website, an online platform like Behance, or even a physical portfolio. Make sure to include a mix of different types of designs and projects to showcase your versatility and skills.
Once you have a portfolio, you can start reaching out to potential clients. Networking is key, and you can use online platforms like LinkedIn or Behance to connect with other designers and businesses. You can also join online communities or groups relevant to your field, and participate in design contests or challenges, which can help you gain exposure and attract potential clients.
Finally, make sure to stay up-to-date with the latest design trends and technologies, and be open to learning new skills and software. With hard work and determination, you can turn your passion for graphic design into a profitable side hustle.
Tips for Finding Clients and Building Your Portfolio
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Build a strong portfolio: Your portfolio is the first thing potential clients will see, so make sure it showcases your best work and highlights your skills and style. Use a mix of different projects and types of designs to demonstrate your versatility.
- Network, Network, Network: Networking is key to finding clients as a freelancer. Attend local networking events, join online communities or groups, and reach out to other designers and businesses. The more people you connect with, the more potential clients you’ll have.
- Use online platforms: Platforms like LinkedIn, Behance, and Dribbble are great places to showcase your portfolio and connect with potential clients. These platforms also have job boards and other resources that can help you find work.
- Offer free work or discounts to new clients: One way to attract new clients is by offering free work or discounts to new clients. This can be a great way to build your portfolio and get your name out there.
- Reach out to friends and family: Your friends and family can be a great source of clients. They may know of someone who needs design work done and can refer you to them.
- Be proactive and persistent: Finding clients as a freelancer takes time and effort. Be proactive and persistent in your search and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Remember that every rejection is one step closer to finding the right client.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to finding clients and building a strong portfolio as a freelance graphic designer. Remember to stay positive, be persistent, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed.
Photography Services
If you’re a photographer, there are plenty of opportunities to turn your passion into a profitable side hustle. One of the most obvious ways to make money as a photographer is by offering event photography services.
This can include anything from weddings and parties to corporate events and conventions. Event photography can be a great way to earn money while also capturing special moments for your clients.
Another way to make money as a photographer is by offering portrait sessions. Whether it’s family portraits, headshots, or senior photos, there’s always a demand for professional photography services. You can also offer specialized services, such as pet photography, maternity photography, or boudoir photography.
Stock photography is another way to make money as a photographer. To make money with stock photography, you need to have a large collection of high-quality photos that can be used in a wide range of contexts.
Stock Photography Platforms to List Your Photographs With
- Shutterstock
- iStock by Getty Images
- Adobe Stock
- Alamy
- Depositphotos
- Dreamstime
- Bigstock
- Can Stock Photo
- 123RF
- EyeEm
- Foap
- Fotolia (now part of Adobe Stock)
- Getty Images (also offers rights-managed and royalty-free images)
- Unsplash
- Pixabay
- Pexels
- StockSnap
- Stocksy
- Snapwire
- Twenty20 (now part of Getty Images)
Additionally, you can offer your photography services to local businesses or publications, sell your photographs as art prints, or even license them for commercial use.
Writing and Illustrating a Children’s Book
Writing and illustrating a children’s book is a unique and rewarding side hustle idea for artists and creatives. Not only do you get to bring your own ideas to life, but you also have the opportunity to inspire and entertain young readers.
To get started, you’ll need to come up with an idea for your book. Think about what kind of story you want to tell and what message you want to convey. It’s also important to consider your target audience, as this will help you to create a book that resonates with them.
Once you have an idea, you’ll need to start writing the manuscript. This is the text of the book, and it’s important to keep it simple and easy to understand for young readers. You’ll also need to start sketching out the illustrations that will accompany the text.
When you have a manuscript and illustrations ready, you can either self-publish your book or try to find a traditional publisher. Self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, and Createspace, make it possible for you to publish and sell your book online with ease while submitting your book to traditional publishers can be a more challenging path, but it may offer more opportunities for your book to be distributed and marketed.
Keep in mind that creating a children’s book takes a lot of time and effort, but it can be incredibly rewarding to see your story come to life and to know that it has the potential to inspire and entertain young readers.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we’ve discussed five different side hustle ideas for artists and creatives. These include selling custom artwork and prints, teaching art classes or workshops, freelance graphic design, photography services, and writing and illustrating a children’s book.
Each of these side hustle ideas has its own set of opportunities and challenges, but with hard work and determination, you can turn your passion into a profitable venture. We hope this article has inspired you to explore these side hustle ideas and take the first step toward turning your passion into profit!