Are you tired of the 9 to 5 grind? Are you an artist or creative that doesn’t want to be a part of the rat race? You’re not alone. Countless people pursue artistic, creative, and similar careers to pursue something they love. One fact that many artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs tend to forget (or never realize) is that it’s possible to foster your creations without sacrificing your freedom and self-reliance. Here we detail several creative side hustle ideas.
1. Sell Your Art or Creative Products Online
Selling your art or other creative products online through Etsy, Society6, or Redbubble can be a great way to turn your creative passion into a side hustle. These platforms provide an easy way to set up an online store and reach a broad audience of potential customers.
You can sell various items, such as original artwork, prints of your art, clothing, and accessories with your designs, or handmade crafts. It’s a good idea to spend some time researching the different platforms and deciding which is best for your products and target market.
Each platform has its fees and policies, so it’s essential to familiarize yourself with these before setting up your store. Once your store is set up, you’ll need to promote your products and engage with your customers to build a loyal following and drive sales.
2. Offer Art Commissions To Clients Who Want Custom Pieces.
Extra income is within reach for artists and creatives who offer art commissions. This can be a fantastic way to monetize your creativity! A commission is a request from a client for custom art or other creative work. When you take on a commission, you’ll typically work with the client to understand their vision for the piece and create it for them.
There are a few different ways you can offer art commissions:
- Directly to individuals: You can reach out to friends, family, and others in your network to see if anyone is interested in commissioning a piece.
- Through an online platform: Online platforms connect artists with clients looking for custom work. These platforms can be an excellent way to find commissions, as they typically have a built-in audience of potential clients.
- At events or through galleries: You can also offer commissions at art shows or events or through galleries representing your work.
Make sure to have a contract to protect you and the client. With careful planning and excellent communication, offering art commissions can be a rewarding and lucrative way to use your creative skills.
3. Teach Classes
Another creative side hustle idea for artists and the like is to teach classes. Teaching art or craft workshops or classes can be an excellent way for artists and creatives to share their skills and earn extra income. When teaching workshops or classes, it’s essential to plan your lessons carefully and clearly understand your target audience. You’ll also want to set your prices and determine how to market your classes to potential students.
4. Design and Sell Printable Art or Planner Pages Online
Creatives and artists can benefit from a lucrative extra income stream by designing and selling printable art or planner pages online. Printables are digital products that customers can purchase and then print out themselves at home or at a local print shop. They can include many items, such as art prints, planner pages, greeting cards, and more.
Whether you’re a photographer, graphic designer, or illustrator, you can use your skills to create attractive and original printables. You’ll need to decide on a platform for selling digital files, such as Etsy or an eCommerce store, and decide how much you want to charge for each product.
5. Write and Sell eBooks of Print Books
Writing and selling eBooks or print books on creative topics can be one of the excellent creative side hustle ideas for artists and creatives to share their knowledge and earn extra income.
There is a process to this larger project, but if done correctly, a steady stream of income can be generated. This is because royalties are paid on each sale and books can be sold multiple times.
Kindle publishing is an excellent way to get your book into the hands of readers quickly and easily. With free design software such as Canva, creating a book cover is also easy.
6. Offer Design Services
Design services are a great side hustle option for artists and creatives. You can find clients who need logos, web designs, product packaging, and more. Fiverr is an excellent platform to offer design services online. You can also connect with local businesses or entrepreneurs who need help with their branding and design needs.
7. Social Media Content Creator
Social media has become an invaluable tool for artists and creatives looking to make extra money. Many businesses and entrepreneurs are looking for content creators who can create engaging visuals, stories, or posts for their audience. Influencer marketing is a trend that many small business are leveraging.
If you have a knack for creating eye-catching images or videos, you could offer your services as a side hustle. You can find clients through social media, online job sites, or freelance websites.
Creative Side Hustle Ideas – Summary
The creative industries have gained popularity in the last decade, and it’s not hard to see why. More often than not, artists will find their passion and lack of prior education or training is a mere hurdle rather than a barrier to success.
If you’re an artist looking for a side hustle or a creative professional looking for a way to make some extra cash, there are many different ways you can go about it—but the most important aspect of them all is that you do it.
Get over the hurdle of self-doubt and start side-hustling today. With these seven side hustle ideas for artists, you can use your skills to make some extra money in no time.
Creativity requires a bold fearless attitude, and side hustles are no different. It’s important to take risks, be creative, and try new things to find success. And don’t forget to have fun while you’re at it! With the right side hustle ideas for artists, you can make a living doing what you love. Good luck!
