How you can start making money as an artist in 2024 - $100k selling digital products

Summary

Lucas, a successful concept artist and illustrator, shares his journey from a 3D artist to generating €100,000 in revenue by selling digital products. He outlines five key steps for creatives to monetize their skills without client work, emphasizing the importance of reaching the right audience, identifying what to sell, setting up an online store, mastering marketing, and the realities of running a business. Lucas's experience highlights the balance between creating and managing a business while staying passionate about one's craft.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Lucas, a concept artist and illustrator, successfully monetized his skills without client work, earning €100,000 in revenue in 2023.
• 📈 He learned valuable lessons over the years and shares them in five steps, applicable to various creative fields, not just digital art.
• 👀 The first step emphasizes the importance of getting your work in front of the 'right eyes' without necessarily relying on social media.
• 🛍️ Lucas explains the distinction between selling products, like digital assets, and services, like workshops or commissions.
• 💡 Finding what to offer involves a balance of personal enjoyment, market demand, and proficiency in the skill or product creation.
• 🌐 For selling products or services, having an online presence with a customizable store and email marketing is crucial.
• 🛒 Selfi.com is recommended as a platform for creators to sell their products and services easily online, with features like customization and multi-currency support.
• 📢 Marketing is a vital aspect that requires consistent effort in creating quality content and engaging with potential customers.
• 🤩 Being proud of your offerings is essential for effective marketing; confidence in your product or service can significantly impact its success.
• 🚀 Showcasing your creative process can help build an audience and market your offerings by inviting people into your world of creation.
• 🕰 Patience is key in business growth; success may not come immediately, but perseverance often leads to achieving goals.
• 🎯 The reality of running a business includes wearing multiple hats, making sacrifices, and understanding that the journey can be challenging but rewarding.

Q & A

Who is Lucas and what did he study initially?

Lucas is a concept artist and illustrator who initially studied to be a 3D artist during his 20s.

How much revenue did Lucas make in 2023?

Lucas made €100,000 in revenue in 2023 without doing any client work.

What are the five steps Lucas learned for monetizing creative skills?

The five steps Lucas learned are: getting in front of the right eyes, deciding what to sell, finding where to sell the products or services, understanding the importance of marketing, and realizing the truth about when success happens.

Why did Lucas emphasize the importance of getting in front of the right eyes?

Lucas emphasized this because it is essential to have people look at your offerings, whether it's a service or a product, in order to monetize them.

What are some alternative methods to social media for getting in front of the right eyes?

Some alternatives include calling, emailing, or DMing potential clients, paying for ads in niche magazines or on social platforms, or hiring an agent to represent your work.

What is the difference between selling products and services according to Lucas?

Products are physical or digital items that the customer buys and takes away, while services involve hiring someone for their time, such as workshops, live painting, consulting, or mentoring.

How did Lucas decide what to sell?

Lucas decided by considering what he enjoyed doing, what people were asking for, and what he was good at, eventually focusing on selling digital painting brushes.

What platform does Lucas recommend for setting up an online store?

Lucas recommends selfi.com, a platform designed for small creators and brands to sell their products and services online easily.

What challenges does Lucas face in marketing his products?

Lucas faces challenges such as creating high-quality products, producing educational content to attract the right audience, and managing his presence across multiple social media platforms.

What advice does Lucas give for those who are shy about marketing their work?

Lucas advises to be proud of what you offer, show your creative process, and have patience as results take time.

What are some of the realities of running a solo business according to Lucas?

Running a solo business involves wearing multiple hats, making sacrifices in other areas of life, and understanding that success is a gradual process that requires hard work.

What does Lucas suggest is the most rewarding aspect of living off your passion?

Lucas suggests that the ability to do something you love every day and not having to go to a job you dislike makes all the hard work and sacrifices worth it.