Ever find yourself wishing you could turn your passion for creativity into a side hustle?
A recent Bankrate survey found that almost 40% of adults in the U.S. have a side hustle – so you’re not alone in wanting to turn your passion into profit.
But we all know that making a living from art can be challenging.
And that’s why we’ve got some exciting side hustle ideas for artists, all lined up just for you!
Keep reading because the idea you’re looking for could be right on this list!
1. Sell Art Courses on Udemy
For artists looking to share their skills and boost their earnings, Udemy offers a great way to connect with people all over the world who are looking to learn.
To start your journey to selling art courses on Udemy, start by picking an art topic you’re knowledgeable about and that students are interested in.
You can also use Udemy’s marketplace insights tool to explore trending art course topics.
Once you have selected your course topic, make a thorough outline covering the main things to learn and the weekly topics.
Then, go ahead and record and polish up your lessons before uploading them to Udemy.
Make sure the sound and video are top-notch for a pro look to give off a professional vibe.
Edit what you record to improve how clear and interesting it is. Plus make sure your course is easy to follow and exciting, providing value to the viewers in a fun way!
To boost your earnings from selling art courses on Udemy, you can analyze feedback from students, update your course content, and create new ones.
These actions, in turn, build up your portfolio and increase your moneymaking opportunities on Udemy!
2. Start a YouTube Channel
Starting a YouTube channel is a fantastic way for artists to build an audience and bring in some additional income!
First things first, set up your YouTube account and personalize your channel with a profile picture, channel name, and description that showcases your unique style and the type of content you’ll be creating.
It’s good to grab some essential gear like a camera, lighting, and tripod to guarantee top-notch video quality.
Whether it’s for sharing your passion, having the right tools can really make a difference!
Make sure to narrow down the specific niche or focus for your channel.
This might include making tutorials on your techniques, giving glimpses behind the scenes of your creative process, or offering tips and guidance for fellow aspiring artists.
Once you’ve got your channel set up, it’s time to start making videos!
You need to make a regular schedule for creating interesting video content. It’s smart to plan out some videos ahead of time, so you’re always ready with new stuff to share, even if it’s just once a week.
Also, think about the kinds of videos that will be beneficial and enjoyable for your viewers, such as instructional guides, Q&A sessions, or behind-the-scenes vlogs from the studio.
Once you’ve got a decent fan base and meet the YouTube Partner Program requirements, you can turn on monetization to get a piece of that ad revenue pie.
Plus, as your channel grows and you gather loyal followers, brands might want to sponsor you. You could also earn money by promoting art supplies or cool tools in your videos – things that would be handy for your viewers.
If you’re feeling a bit lost on how to get started, there are lots of courses available on platforms like Skillshare where you can learn from experts such as MKBHD and Ali Abdaal.
3. Start a Blog
Starting a blog is a fun way for artists to show off their work, reveal their creative methods, and even earn some extra cash on the side!
First, when starting a blog, you’ll want to select a blogging platform and web hosting.
One popular option is self-hosted WordPress, which many people love.
As for web hosting, Bluehost is highly recommended as it’s an excellent choice.
This combo will give you the freedom to customize your blog exactly the way you like it.
And, pick a domain name that’s easy to remember and fits your art style, and make sure your blog looks like you by choosing a cool theme and layout.
It’s super important to create helpful content that your audience will love and show off your artistic skills!
Check out this great example, “Art with Toddlers,” a blog post by Emma Block, an illustrator and author who shares her creative journey on her blog:
You can boost your blog’s reach by promoting it on social media, using SEO tactics, tapping into Pinterest, and other platforms to get more people interested and checking it out.
This way can increase traffic to your blog, boost engagement, and help you become a known name in the art world!
One cool way to make money from your blog is by placing ads on it. Ad networks like Google AdSense can help with that.
They’ll pay you whenever people click on or see those ads. As more people visit your blog, this can turn into a regular income stream for you!
Curious about blogging?
Learn why you might be more ready to blog than you think.
You can also make money by partnering up with brands for sponsored posts.
They’ll pay you to review their products and services.
Plus, as an artist, you can also earn money through affiliate marketing by promoting relevant products, tools, or services on your blog.
You might be thinking that this requires some effort, and you’re right. None of these things happen overnight.
However, we’ve taken care of everything for you.
If you’re interested in starting a blog, check out our free guide by clicking here.
4. Sell Physical/Digital Products
Starting to sell your own physical products as an artist can actually be a pretty good way to make some extra cash.
By setting up an online store, listing your items, and arranging a system for payments and shipping, you can sell your artwork to people all around the world.
To give the best shipping deal, make sure it’s fair for customers and still profitable for you.
Check out local services or quicker options, especially if you’re selling to a global audience.
If you’re not looking to sell physical items, you can also sell digital products that don’t require any shipping. This way, there’s no need to worry about handling and delivering physical goods.
As an artist selling your creations, platforms like Etsy and Shopify can be super helpful for making money.
For digital products, Payhip offers a simple solution that’s easy to use.
All these platforms make it much easier to do the four things we talked about earlier; setting up, listing items, processing payments, and shipping.
So it’s your call to start something!
5. Start a Patreon
Have you heard of Patreon? It’s a cool platform that offers business tools for content creators.
Creators have the option to create paid membership plans and provide exclusive content, or sell digital products as a side hustle. It’s similar to running your own small online store but for your dedicated fans!
Starting a Patreon is simple!
First, create an account on the platform.
Once that’s done, it’s time to make your page pop! You’ll need to add a nice profile picture and cover image, write a cool intro about what you’re all about, and set up your membership plans.
Then comes the fun part – spreading the word!
Share your page link with your social media audience, and website – let everyone know you’re now on Patreon and open for some love and support.
When you start a Patreon, it’s super important to give your supporters something extra special in return for their help.
This could be early access to your videos, unique merchandise, shoutouts, or sneak peeks into how you do things.
These things make your supporters feel like they’re part of something extra special and really help them connect with you and your work even more.
And don’t forget, there are lots of other platforms like Patreon out there.
This means you have the freedom to choose the one that fits your needs and preferences best, including how they manage payments.
The Bottom Line
Whether it’s selling artwork online, offering classes, or starting a blog or YouTube channel, there are many side hustles for artists like yourself to earn some extra income.
And the possibilities extend beyond what’s listed here.
With your creativity and effort, these side hustles could lead to something even greater.
So why not give it a try – who knows where it might take you!
