How to Make a Living as an Artist

Turn your passion into your career.

Making a living as an artist is the dream of almost every artist, but can be difficult to achieve. You will need to be persistent and learn to market yourself and your work. Whether you are a visual artist, a musician or a writer you will need to work hard before your craft brings in any sort of reliable paycheck. Learn to balance your creative career with your day-to-day needs until you can make a living doing what you love.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• An art portfolio
• Website/promo materials
• A business plan

1. Get a day job that can accommodate your creative endeavors. Working in the service industry can allow you to spend more time pursuing your craft, as the hours tend to be shorter and more flexible than those at a nine-to-five job. You could also consider working from home. There are many legitimate work-from-home jobs that will allow you to create your own schedule, and leave you time to work on your creative projects.

2. Cut down on your costs. Until you can earn at least part of your income from your creative work, you're going to want to cut down on your monthly bills. Cut down on food costs, as well as rent. Look for an apartment or studio in a low-rent area. These areas are often where artists can find places large enough to paint, dance or make music.

3. Make a career plan. If you're trying to turn your art into a business, you've got to treat it like a business. This means having a business plan and setting realistic short- and long-term goals. Devote time to the business side of your artistic career, not just the creative side.

4. Put together a package that will help you promote yourself and your work. If you're a visual artist, make a portfolio. If you're a musician, record a demo. If you're a writer, try to get published or publish yourself. If you are going to be promoting yourself and your work, you will need something to show to people who may be interested in what you do. Make sure whatever package you put together is professional and shows off the best aspects of your work.

5. Find innovative ways to sell your artwork. Use online auction sites, online markets and social networking sites to get the word out. Register with online artists' directories. Design a Web page dedicated to your work. Blogging regularly is also a good way to generate a fan base.

6. Register at arts and crafts fairs or book fairs. There are literally hundreds of fairs to choose from, but choose wisely. It takes a fair amount of preparation and money to set up a booth. Make sure you're going to have a chance of selling your type of work. Check to see what type of work is generally displayed, as well as how many people are expected. You want there to be artists of a similar style on hand, but not so many that it becomes overly competitive. Arts and craft fairs and book fairs are also an excellent way to meet other artists.

7. Design other promotional materials such as business cards, postcards and fliers to hand out or send out. Have these on hand at all times, as you never know who you're going to meet. Make sure to have a mailing list sign-up available, both in person and on your website.

Tips & Warnings

• Try and find a job that flexes your artistic muscles, though not so much that you're exhausted when you get back to working on your own projects. If you're a musician you can give music lessons, if you're a writer you can be a copywriter and if you're a dancer you can give dance lessons.

• Be personable when dealing with potential clients or employers. People are more likely to continue a professional relationship with someone who is not difficult to work with.

• Be persistent and thick-skinned. Rejection is a part of the game. Keep creating. The more you produce, the better your chances of continuing your career.

• If you are part of a show, are putting on a reading or are playing a gig, send a press kit to your local media outlets. Alternative weeklies and local newsletters may not always be able to dedicate an article to your event, but usually have listings that you can use to promote your event. Send a professional press kit to the appropriate editor.

• The truth is that a minority of artists actually make a living as an artist. You may have to hang onto your day job for a time.

• Copyright your work before posting it online.

References

• Debt Assistance; How to Sell Art; 2007
• "The Guardian"; Don't Give Up the Day Job; Laura Barnett; January 2010
• Artsy Shark; You'll Never Make a Living as an Artist; Carolyn Edlund
• Artists Online: Artists' Directory