How to Make Money as an Artist/Designer: Part 4 (Little things that can payoff in the long run)

One of the coolest things about being an artist/designer is that hope of someday making it big, the moment when everyone is after your work. Unfortunately, for most of us that’s a long ways off and we have to take side jobs and projects when ever we can. But, wouldn’t it be great, if while we are waiting, we could be making, something. You can, but it will take time and a lot of work in the being. But once you have everything setup, you can be making money while you sleep and once your days of amenity are over, you can make even more money. I know, it sounds like a get rich quick scam, but trust me it’s not it’s nowhere near quick (it’s just sounds that way).

First off if you are photographer, videographer, writer, or good at making clipart type graphics and illustrations; then you might want to consider selling your own stock imagery, video footage, or generic copy text, people and businesses are always in need of such things.

Photographers and videographers, you have to live somewhere and there are always local businesses and companies that need and want fresh original shots and video footage of the local neighborhoods to use in marketing campaigns. Real estate firms and local government agencies always need local imagery to promote how much they love the area. Real estate agents, especial as they not only need promotional shots for themselves but for their sellers as well.

Original clipart and illustrations are always welcome; a new twist on an old idea is great. After all, how many times must we see the same Microsoft style graphics. Also, if you can manage to figure out how to make a clipart style map of your area with all the local attractions highlighted and it being easily updated; again, something real estate firms and local government agencies would love and gladly paid you for you work.

You can, sell your imagery online by building your own website or uploading your work to stock imagery sites. If you choose to use an imagery site, you won’t make the full profit on your work, but you won’t have to manage anything either, you can just collect your 2-5% royalty fee and wait for them to send you a check and your tax information.

Royalties can be great, you can earn them by doing very little to no work, they are easy to setup, and you earn them on just about anything you do as an artist. You can earn royalties on you artwork, designs, and anything else you are willing to let people copy and resale. There are only 2 draw backs to royalties are (1) you have very little control on how many copies of your work are made (on the upside the more copies that are made and sold the more money you make, downside it might cheapen the value of the original work) and (2) royalties can take forever to kick in, only making a few dollars in the begin; but as you and your work gets more popular the likelihood of selling more royalties goes up and money comes faster.

List of Sites to earn royalties on images and artwork
Artistrising.com
Istockphotos.com
Deviantart.com
www.yessy.com
boundlessgallery.com (membership fee)
Amazon.com (membership fee)
Art.com

Lastly, you can earn dollars by selling ad space on your websites and blog to Google, Yahoo, EBay, or lesser know companies that are willing to pay to be on your site. This is especially good if you’re sites gets a lot of traffic. You can also join affiliation programs where you can sell ad space or merely mention some product or book on your site and provide a link on where you got it or where they can get it. Again, you’re not going to earn big bucks right away, but in time and with an increase in your popularity you can make a pretty penny.

Sites to sell ad space with:
Linkshare.com
Art.com
Amazon.com
Barnesandnobles.com
Netflix.com
Google.com
Yahoo.com
MSN.com
eBay.com

Bottom line, making money as an artist is very possible even if you never make it big, you just have to buckle down and come up with ways and places to make money, you also have to put in some killer hours, but what’s a little hard work when you love what you do.