How to Make 6 Figures As A Designer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a Designer? Good for you! Being a Designer 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 Designer - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an ecommerce store could significantly boost your income as a designer, giving you a path to potentially make six figures. By leveraging your design skills, you could create and sell custom products such as apparel, prints, or digital downloads that uniquely reflect your creativity. The demand for personalized and designer-centric products is growing, making this a lucrative opportunity.
Ecommerce businesses have the advantage of lower overhead costs compared to brick-and-mortar stores, allowing you to retain more of your earnings. With increasing consumer preference for online shopping due to its convenience, you have the flexibility to reach a global audience from the comfort of your home. Moreover, by selecting effective shopping cart software and managing inventory seamlessly, you could ensure a smooth customer experience and maximize your sales potential.
An ecommerce platform also allows for increased flexibility, helping you to supplement your primary income or even form the basis of a standalone business. With the right marketing strategy and by continuously updating your inventory to reflect current trends, you could build a profitable online store that not only complements your career as a designer but possibly transforms it into a highly successful entrepreneurial venture.
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.
2. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Creating an online course could significantly augment your income and pave the way to earning six figures as a designer. By identifying gaps in knowledge around specific design skills you excel in, you could develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials. This not only allows you to share your expertise but also provides a structured way to monetize it, with the potential for passive income.
With the flexibility to create self-paced or cohort-based courses, you could attract a broad student base and serve eager lifelong learners seeking convenient access to emerging design topics. Entrepreneurial-minded designers could leverage small startup costs to build an online course business, turning your instructional talents into a rewarding and scalable source of revenue.
How much you can make: $275 — $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.
3. Digital products ($242K/month)
Starting a business selling digital products could be an effective way for you to make six figures as a designer. Digital products are top-rated and easy to create and share, allowing you to leverage your design skills into a profitable side business or even a full-time venture.
You could design and sell software-based products like apps or games, or create information-based products such as ebooks or courses. The possibilities are endless—you could even build a membership site or a community. Because these products require no physical inventory, you avoid the risks and expenses associated with traditional product sales.
By producing and marketing high-quality digital products, you could create a scalable income stream that supplements your primary earnings as a designer. This approach not only builds your brand but also offers a steady flow of additional revenue.
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.
4. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be an excellent way to supplement your income and eventually make six figures as a designer. By sharing design tutorials, behind-the-scenes workflows, or insights into the design industry, you could attract a substantial following. YouTube's established monetization system offers opportunities to earn through ad revenue, sponsored content, and even merchandise sales.
Achieving success might not be quick or easy, but leveraging the platform's popularity could significantly enhance your professional visibility and income. The key lies in consistent, high-quality content tailored to your niche, as well as engaging with your audience to build a dedicated subscriber base. Once you reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months, you could join the YouTube Partner Program and start monetizing your channel.
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.
5. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could be a lucrative way for you to supplement your income as a designer. You could clear your utility bills, finance your college education, or even save for a vacation with the extra revenue generated.
With the right approach, you do not need to commit excessive time; leveraging social media marketing tools can automate much of the work. Developing a strong social media marketing strategy will enable you to serve customers efficiently. Additionally, creating an agency portfolio can market your services effectively to target clients. This could ultimately help you reach the six-figure mark in your income.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $4,166,667/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 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.
6. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a designer or even transform it into a main source of revenue. With the flexibility to define your own schedule and work from home, freelance writing offers the chance to work across various niches, bringing in a steady stream of clients and diverse projects. If you're entrepreneurial-minded, this avenue could help you leverage your existing creative skills while mastering the art of storytelling, copywriting, or content creation.
To succeed and potentially earn six figures, you would need strong writing skills, an ability to meet deadlines, and a proactive, self-starter attitude. By staying up-to-date with current writing tools and trends, you can offer clients exceptional quality, making you a top choice for high-paying projects. Good communication skills will enhance your client relationships, ensuring repeated business and a growing reputation in the freelance writing community.
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.
7. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could be a lucrative way for a designer to supplement their income and potentially hit the six-figure mark. By providing personalized guidance and strategic support, you could help clients navigate their professional transitions and growth opportunities, all while monetizing your skills in an entirely new avenue.
Designing custom sessions for resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement goals tailored to each client’s aspirations allows you to leverage your design thinking in a unique context. With the flexibility to offer in-person or virtual meetings, you could build a diverse client base and set your own schedule, turning your motivational abilities and human resources expertise into a profitable career coaching practice.
Launching a coaching business could enable you to empower others through specialized advice and accountability while creating a steady stream of additional income.
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.
8. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be an exciting way to supplement your income as a designer and work your way towards making six figures. By choosing a niche that intersects your design expertise and audience interests, you could offer valuable insights, interviews with industry leaders, or tips and tricks that set your podcast apart. This content has the potential to attract a dedicated audience, and with sufficient listeners, you could leverage sponsorships and advertising to generate a steady stream of income.
Investing in basic recording equipment like a quality microphone and headphones, as well as finding a cost-effective hosting platform, are essential steps to kickstart your podcast. Through consistent promotion on social media, online communities, and word of mouth, you could grow your listener base. Over time, this could translate into monetization opportunities and even serve as a launching pad for other revenue streams, such as online courses or exclusive design consultations.
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.
9. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Supplementing your income as a designer through affiliate marketing could be a game-changer, allowing you to make six figures while leveraging your existing skills. As an affiliate marketer, you promote other companies' products or services and earn a commission for every sale made through your referral. This business model is particularly attractive because it requires minimal upfront investment, meaning you could start earning without the burden of high costs.
By enrolling in affiliate programs within your design niche, you could use your marketing acumen to drive traffic and sales to these products, using unique tracking links to ensure you receive credit for each conversion. This venture not only diversifies your income streams but also positions you to monetize your audience or client base effectively. With strategic promotion and effective marketing, you may find affiliate marketing to be a viable path to achieving a six-figure income as a designer.
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.
10. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could significantly supplement your income as a designer by allowing you to reach a broader audience and showcase your expertise. With blogs being rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of online information, you have the potential to establish yourself as an authority in your field, attracting both readers and potential clients. In fact, 77% of internet users read blogs, which means there is a vast audience interested in your insights and design tips.
By regularly posting valuable content and engaging with your audience, you could drive substantial traffic to your blog, enabling you to monetize through ads, affiliate marketing, or even selling your own design products and services. With approximately 409 million people viewing over 20 billion pages each month, the opportunities for income generation are immense. Whether as a side hustle or a full-time profession, blogging presents a versatile and lucrative avenue for entrepreneurial designers aiming to reach six figures.
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. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
As a designer, leveraging social media to become an influencer could be a dynamic way to supplement your income and achieve six figures. By focusing on a popular niche within the design industry—be it graphic design, UX/UI, or fashion—you could attract a dedicated audience interested in your insights and expertise. Through engaging and relevant content, you could establish credibility and become a trusted voice that followers look to for recommendations.
Brands are increasingly seeking social media influencers to connect with their target audience. As an influencer with a robust following, you could secure sponsorship deals, collaborations, and affiliate marketing opportunities, significantly boosting your earnings. Whether as a side business or a primary revenue stream, becoming a social media influencer could open up numerous avenues for financial growth and career advancement.
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.
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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.
