Written by: Ariel Grace Snapp, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
If you were born with a well of creative potential (hint, that’s everyone), then don’t let your current circumstances or income levels limit your creative outlets and ways of making money. We live in an age of content creators and creative entrepreneurship that knows no limit! Your creative talents can not only bring you joy but also serve as a lucrative source of income. That's right – it's time to turn your passion into profit.
Any well-informed financial advisor would tell you to diversify your portfolio. It is no different for your income source. In modern times when corporate jobs are volatile and layoffs are frequent, it is important to create a life of income streams as a creative that supports your goals and dreams. I’m not endorsing unethical behavior like the trend that began to cheat employers by taking multiple remote full-time jobs. I’m talking about finding ways to both express your artistry and create different types of income to diversify your earning potential and provide you with a blanket of options and choices in difficult times.
Some of your inevitable and eventual success is about your attitude, perseverance, and mindset, so keep that in mind as you embark on this journey.
If you haven’t jumped on the Etsy train or become a freelancer at UpWork, is it too late for you to make your mark? Of course not! There are endless resources and ideas out there, you just need to find what fits your unique style.
Here are 50 ideas to help artists, designers, and creative entrepreneurs generate income streams:
Make money freelancing
Graphic design services for small businesses
Illustration work for book covers, magazines, or websites
Logo design for startups and businesses
Web design and development
Social media graphics creation
Video editing and animation services
Customized digital avatars or caricatures
Infographic creation for educational content
Make money selling your art
Open an Etsy shop for prints and original artwork
Create and sell custom digital art online
Offer personalized art commissions
Print your designs on merchandise like T-shirts, mugs, and posters
Licensing your art for use in merchandise or products
Sell art prints on POD (Print on Demand) platforms
Make money with online courses and workshops
Develop and sell online art courses
Host live art workshops online
Offer one-on-one virtual art coaching sessions
Create tutorials on YouTube and monetize through ads
Sell course materials and resources on learning platforms
Make money with digital products
Design and sell digital stickers or emojis
Create and sell custom fonts or design elements
Offer digital planners, wallpapers, or templates
Develop mobile app themes or graphics
Sell Lightroom or Photoshop presets
Create and sell 3D models for game developers
Make money with print-on-demand (POD) services
Use POD for custom clothing with your designs
Print your art on phone cases or laptop sleeves
Offer custom home decor items with your designs
Design and sell custom stationery and greeting cards
Create a line of custom face masks with your artwork
Make money with affiliate marketing
Partner with art supply companies and promote their products
Collaborate with print shops and earn a commission on sales
Promote art-related software or tools
Join affiliate programs of online learning platforms for artists
Always be ethical and upfront about it and only promote what you have tried and value
To delve deeper into affiliate marketing strategies, read Neil Patel's insights here
Make money art licensing
License your art to be used on merchandise
Collaborate with brands for limited-edition product releases
License your art for use in advertising campaigns
Offer your art for use in digital products like apps or games
Consider an NFT offering in marketplaces like OpenSpace
Offer high-quality photography for reuse with licensing
Make money for project with crowdfunding
Launch a Kickstarter campaign for a specific art project
Set up a Patreon account for ongoing support from fans
Use crowdfunding to finance a series of art-related YouTube videos
Make money hosting events and workshops
Host art-themed events or pop-up galleries
Organize paid art retreats or workshops
Offer live painting sessions at local events
Make money with annuity templates in creative software
Offer beautiful downloadable templates, worksheets, guides
Offer Figma add-on templates and services
Make money with social media monetization
Monetize your Instagram through sponsored posts
Create and sell Instagram story templates
Offer exclusive content on platforms like Patreon
Collaborate with brands on TikTok or YouTube for sponsored content
Remember, the key is to diversify your income streams and find a balance that aligns with your skills, interests, and target audience. Feel free to mix and match these ideas to create a personalized strategy for your creative entrepreneurship journey. Also, remember that marketing and sales are a big part of things, so consider forming partnerships and ways to extend your reach and promote your offerings.
There are probably more ways to make money than you have interest to invest your time in. So, take the time to sit with what lights you up and follow your intuition on something simple to try and test. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many options. If there’s something you don’t know how to do, remember help is just a click away with thousands of how-to videos and articles available, or digital agencies and services ready to help.
The online world is brimming with opportunities for creatives to turn their passions into profitable ventures. Whatever you choose, the key lies in leveraging your unique talents and connecting with a global audience that values what you have to offer. So, unleash your creativity, explore these avenues, and watch as your artistic endeavors transform into a fulfilling online income.
Happy creating, and may your creativity pave the way to financial success and impact!
If you’d like to receive support from Ariel Grace check out her Be as Art Business Immersion for creatives ready to jumpstart their next iteration of their career or creative business.
Ariel Grace Snapp, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Ariel Grace Snapp has always been a multi-passionate creative balancing service and the expressions of her soul. She’s a coach for creatives, a tech creative director, intuitive and MacroFloral photographer and host of the Creatively Free podcast. She is particularly interested in co-creating new, collaborative ways to solve social challenges across different sectors. As founder of the Be as Art Business Academy, she offers a depth based journey of the mystical and practical tools for creatives and sensitive people that are ready to birth and scale their huge creative, mission driven projects.
