The Starving Artist
The trope can feel overwhelmingly real every now and then.
Artists need extra income to get by, especially now. The least restricting way, I find, is through doing commissions.
Imagine you start off as an artist who needs money (tale as old as time.) You want extra security on your finances just in case an emergency knocks you down. So, you make a concise, accessible website advertising your services, whether it’s a blog, a carrd.co site, or some other informational portal. People come to you with specific requests based on guidelines you set. Then, you create what their hearts desire.
Eager buys scrub through the internet to find the styles they truly want. Success! You make a steady amount of money based on on your schedule and turnaround times. Simple enough, right?
Now, the tricky part.
You need to gain an audience first. Someone, anyone out there in the world wide web, must perceive you. And even if they do, what would make them want to buy your art, and by connection, you?
Following the Bread Crumbs
It sounds a bit harsh. Don’t take it personally if people come by to browse without purchasing anything. Commissions are a luxury. Not everyone can afford personalized art.
Besides, there are alternative ways to put yourself out there and build interest in your creations — ways that can get you attention faster than humbly uploading on Definitely-Not-Twitter-Anymore and waiting for your post to show up on someone’s feed. Gaining an audience can feel nerve-wracking, but it’s easier to do so if you go where buyers and enthusiasts gather.
If you know where to look, you can join art-based communities and connect to them. That’s how I gained buyers, and majority of them return whenever I open up a commission slot. I didn’t realize that big groups consisting of friends and acquaintances were viable customers until then! You can join other active groups where you don’t necessarily need to know anyone. I found success in group environments that encourage displaying art and other works. Presenting yourself as someone approachable, friendly, and highly communicative can bolster your chances of getting interested eyes on your commission sheet.
Keep in mind that you need art to show people in the first place! Post frequency is up to you. I prefer to upload at least twice a week in a consistently active community I’m part of. While my commissions are closed right now, I still manage to get a few curious folks asking for my commission sheet. They don’t necessarily have to be buyers. Admirers can know others just the same, and if their friends of friends are looking for artists to buy from, word of mouth (or a quick message) can get you pretty far. Analyzing where new followers, watchers, and subscribers come from allows you to adjust to what’s right.
Content Strategy
Ron Abraham Jr., a content strategist at Domin8 Digital, says it’s important to keep people’s interest so you can make a lasting impression in their minds. Even if they don’t buy from you immediately, they’ll remember that you’re there as a fantastic option. Ron also stresses that following your audiences, engaging with them, and resonating with them can help your content reach a wider audience.
An artist in these communities can do this by guiding eyes to their content and staying relevant. Naturally, you need to put in the right amount of work to keep this up, but it’s well worth the effort. It’s a fun experience, too.