How to Make 6 Figures As A Artist? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a Artist? Good for you! Being a Artist is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.
In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a Artist - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could be a profitable way for you to supplement your income as an artist. Whether you're looking to cover your utility bills, finance your education, or save for a dream vacation, this side business can provide a significant financial boost. The best part is that with the help of social media marketing tools, you could automate many tasks, allowing you to manage your time effectively and still focus on your art.
Developing a solid social media marketing strategy is key, enabling you to serve customers efficiently while showcasing your unique artistic insight. By creating a compelling agency portfolio, you could attract a range of clients eager for your services. This entrepreneurial venture not only offers financial rewards but also provides the flexibility to balance your artistic pursuits with business growth.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
2. Digital products ($261K/month)
Starting a business centered around digital products could significantly boost your income as an artist and help you reach a six-figure salary. Given their high demand, digital products are remarkably easy to create and distribute without requiring physical inventory or extensive capital.
You could create digital products like custom fonts, digital art tutorials, e-books, or an exclusive membership site featuring your artwork and insights. With digital products, you have the flexibility to sell directly from your website, offering both convenience and the potential to scale your business globally. The possibilities are truly endless, allowing you to tailor your offerings to your unique skill set and artistic style.
How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.
3. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)
Creating an online course could help you make six figures as an artist by leveraging your unique skills and expertise to teach others. As an entrepreneurial-minded individual, you could identify educational gaps in the art world and develop engaging video lessons along with supplementary materials to bridge those gaps.
By offering courses on specialized art techniques or industry knowledge, you could attract a steady stream of students eager to learn. Through flexible self-paced or cohort-based structures, your online course could provide a consistent passive income stream, ultimately allowing you to monetize your instructional talents with minimal startup costs.
How much you can make: $350 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
4. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could provide a lucrative supplement to your income as an artist, potentially helping you achieve a six-figure income. Freelance writing offers the flexibility to define your work schedule, allowing you to balance it with your artistic pursuits. You could work from home and choose projects that align with your interests and expertise.
With strong writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and proper communication skills, you could carve out a niche in the freelance writing market. Staying updated with current writing tools and trends could significantly boost your productivity and client satisfaction. If you're entrepreneurial-minded, leveraging your creative talent in both art and writing could open up diverse revenue streams and enhance your financial stability.
How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
5. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
As an artist looking to make six figures, becoming an affiliate marketer could be an exciting opportunity to supplement your income. By promoting products or services related to your art niche, you could earn commissions on sales made through your referral links. This business model requires minimal upfront investment, making it an accessible option for those on a budget.
By leveraging your existing audience and marketing skills, you could drive traffic and generate sales for affiliate programs you believe in. The flexibility of affiliate marketing allows you to integrate it seamlessly with your creative workflow, offering the potential for a steady stream of passive income. With dedication and the right strategies, affiliate marketing could evolve from a side hustle into a lucrative venture, helping you reach that six-figure milestone.
How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
6. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an ecommerce store could dramatically increase your income as an artist by allowing you to sell your creations directly to a global audience. With lower overhead costs and increased flexibility compared to brick-and-mortar stores, an ecommerce business could let you reach more customers efficiently and profitably.
By utilizing an online platform, you could showcase your art to potential buyers worldwide without them ever needing to leave their homes. The convenience and efficiency for consumers mean they’re more likely to purchase from you, translating into higher sales and potentially helping you reach six figures. With the right website setup, payment processing, and inventory management, you could turn your artistic talents into a thriving online business.
How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.
7. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could significantly supplement your income as an artist, leveraging the platform's popularity and established monetization system. By sharing your creative process, tutorials, or behind-the-scenes content, you could attract a dedicated audience that values your expertise and artistic journey.
Once you reach the threshold of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months, you could join the YouTube Partner Program to monetize your channel. Additionally, you could explore brand partnerships, sponsored content, and selling your artwork or related merchandise directly to your viewers. This combination could propel you towards a six-figure income while simultaneously enhancing your personal brand.
How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.
8. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Supplementing your income as an artist by becoming a social media influencer could open up opportunities to make six figures. Brands are increasingly turning to platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok to connect with their target audiences, and they're eager to collaborate with influencers who have established credibility and a significant following in their industry. As an artist, you could leverage your unique skills and perspective to create engaging content that resonates with a wide audience, drawing brands to partner with you for endorsements, sponsored posts, and collaborative projects.
By choosing a niche that aligns with your artistic interests, and consistently producing relevant and high-quality content, you could quickly build a loyal following. Once your follower count and engagement levels rise, brands may seek you out for influencer partnerships, translating to additional income streams such as product placements, tutorials, or special promotions. With the right strategy and dedication, making six figures as a social media influencer in the art world is a feasible and lucrative option.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)
How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.
9. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could enable you, as an artist, to significantly supplement your income and move towards making six figures. By leveraging your unique experiences and insights, you could provide personalized guidance and strategy services, aiding clients in their professional growth and transitions.
You could craft custom sessions to help with resume building, interview preparation, and achieving workplace advancement goals, offering both in-person and virtual meetings for flexibility. This side business could monetize your natural motivational abilities and allow you to set your own schedule, giving you the freedom to continue your artistic pursuits while generating a substantial secondary income stream.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.
10. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could be a powerful way to supplement your income and eventually make six figures as an artist. With over 77% of internet users reading blogs and approximately 409 million people viewing more than 20 billion pages each month, blogging offers an immense audience for your art and expertise. By sharing insights, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes looks at your creative process, you could build a loyal following who are interested in your work and willing to support you financially.
Additionally, as blogs are considered one of the most trustworthy sources of information online, your blog could become a reliable platform for marketing your art and related products. Monetization opportunities such as sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and selling digital products like eBooks or courses could significantly boost your overall income. By choosing a niche you're passionate about and crafting a strategic content plan, blogging could transform from a side hustle into a lucrative full-time business.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
11. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could supplement your income and help you achieve six figures as an artist by allowing you to share your expertise, creativity, and stories with a broader audience. By choosing a niche topic that you're passionate about, you could attract a dedicated listener base interested in art, creativity, and your unique perspective.
With basic recording equipment and budget-friendly hosting platforms, you could produce engaging episodes that resonate with your audience. Promoting your podcast through social media and online communities could expand your reach, leading to potential sponsorships or advertisements. This additional revenue stream could significantly boost your income, especially if your content gains popularity and attracts a loyal following.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
