How to Make 6 Figures As A Graphic Designer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a Graphic designer? Good for you! Being a Graphic 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 Graphic designer - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
As a graphic designer with an entrepreneurial spirit, starting an affiliate marketing business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income and help you reach six figures. By leveraging your design skills, you could create engaging visuals and compelling content that drive traffic and sales to the products or services you're promoting.
With minimal upfront investment needed, you could easily focus on niches aligned with your interests or expertise, such as design software, online courses, or creative tools. Once you sign up for affiliate programs and receive your unique tracking links, you'll earn commissions for each sale made through your referrals, turning your marketing efforts into tangible revenue streams.
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.
2. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Creating an online course could significantly supplement your income and even help you reach the six-figure mark as a graphic designer. By leveraging your specialized skills and identifying educational gaps, you could develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials that cater to aspiring designers and professionals looking to upskill.
This flexibility to offer courses in either a self-paced or cohort-based structure allows for passive income opportunities as your student base grows. For entrepreneurial-minded designers, launching an online course platform is a lucrative way to monetize your knowledge with minimal startup costs, serving eager lifelong learners who seek convenient, high-quality education.
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. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a lucrative way for you to supplement your income as a graphic designer and work towards earning six figures. By sharing tutorials, design tips, and showcasing your creative process, you could attract a dedicated audience eager to learn from your expertise. This could not only boost your credibility but also provide multiple revenue streams through YouTube's monetization system, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
Achieving success on YouTube requires dedication and patience, but many have turned their passion for content creation into full-fledged businesses. With a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours over the past 12 months, you could join the YouTube Partner Program and start earning ad revenue. By leveraging YouTube's popularity and its established monetization options, you could create a compelling, engaging channel that enhances your brand and significantly increases your income.
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.
4. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog as a Graphic Designer could significantly supplement your income or evolve into a full-time business, enabling you to make six figures. Thanks to the increasing trustworthiness of blogs, where 77% of internet users engage with blog content, your expertise in design could attract a broad audience seeking insights and tutorials. By sharing your designs, tips, and industry trends, you could build a loyal following eager to learn from your experience.
Moreover, blogging offers the flexibility to work from anywhere and at any time, making it an ideal side hustle or main career. With the potential to reach millions of monthly viewers, as stated by Optinmonster, monetizing your blog through advertising, affiliate marketing, or selling your design services and products could create multiple income streams, propelling you towards that six-figure goal.
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.
5. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an ecommerce store could significantly boost your income as a graphic designer, potentially leading you to make six figures. By leveraging your design skills, you could create and sell unique products such as custom-made graphics, printed merchandise, or even digital design templates. With the booming trend of online shopping due to its convenience, your ecommerce venture could easily reach a wide audience globally, far beyond the constraints of a local marketplace.
Additionally, the lower overhead costs and increased flexibility of running an online store could mean higher profit margins and more freedom to focus on creative aspects. Setting up a professional website with intuitive navigation, integrated payment processing, and efficient inventory management could streamline operations and enhance customer experience. This entrepreneurial pathway allows you to transform your passion for design into a profitable business, giving you the opportunity to scale and achieve substantial financial success.
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.
6. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could significantly supplement your income as a graphic designer and help you make six figures by turning your unique insights and experiences into engaging audio content. By choosing a niche or topic that resonates with both your passion and the design community, you could attract an audience that values your perspective.
With basic recording equipment and an affordable hosting platform, you could produce and publish episodes to share your knowledge, industry tips, and creative processes. Promoting your podcast through social media and online design communities could not only build a loyal audience but also attract sponsors and advertisers, creating additional revenue streams and elevating your brand as a thought leader in the graphic design industry.
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.
7. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could significantly supplement your income and help you reach the six-figure mark as a graphic designer. By leveraging your existing design skills and expertise, you could create compelling and visually appealing content for various social media platforms, attracting clients who need both marketing and design services. With the aid of social media automation tools, you could efficiently manage campaigns and drive results without having to commit extensive time.
Furthermore, by developing a solid social media marketing strategy and an agency portfolio, you could effectively showcase your skills and attract a steady stream of clients. This entrepreneurial venture could finance major expenses like utility bills, college education, or even vacations. Establishing a thriving social media marketing agency could open new revenue streams, broadening your professional horizons and driving your earnings to new heights.
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.
8. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could help you make six figures as a graphic designer by leveraging your industry insights and personalized support to guide other professionals. You could design custom coaching sessions to assist clients with resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement, thus adding a new revenue stream without leaving your main career.
With the flexibility to offer in-person or virtual meetings, you could build a diverse client base, effectively utilizing your natural motivational abilities. This side business not only allows you to set your own schedule but also enables you to empower others while monetizing your expertise in career transitions and growth opportunities.
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.
9. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
As a graphic designer, starting a social media influencer journey could propel you towards making six figures. By establishing yourself as an expert in your niche, you could gain a substantial following, which in turn attracts brands eager to partner with you for sponsored content, paid collaborations, or product placements. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok are teeming with opportunities for influencers who deliver engaging and visually appealing content.
Leveraging your design skills, you could create stunning, shareable graphics, tutorials, or behind-the-scenes videos that captivate your audience and expand your reach. This visibility not only supplements your income through brand deals but also positions you as a sought-after designer, potentially leading to higher-paying clients and projects.
By nurturing a dedicated community, you could monetize your influence through merchandise, online courses, or design resources, turning your social media presence into a profitable side business or even a full-time venture.
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.
10. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could significantly boost your income as a graphic designer, offering a diversified revenue stream. Freelance writing allows you to capitalize on your creative skills, giving you the flexibility to work from home and set your own schedule alongside your design projects. You could write for various niches that could complement your design work, such as content creation for websites, marketing materials, or even specialized blogs in your industry.
With strong writing skills and the ability to meet deadlines, you could establish yourself as a reliable freelancer, attracting higher-paying clients over time. By staying updated with current writing tools and trends, you ensure your services remain competitive and relevant. Proper communication skills are essential, helping you successfully negotiate contracts and maintain client relationships, eventually putting you on the path to making six figures.
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.
11. Digital products ($242K/month)
Creating and selling digital products could be an excellent way to boost your income and achieve six figures as a graphic designer. Digital products, such as design templates, eBooks, or online courses, are relatively easy to create and distribute, thanks to your existing design skills and access to various design tools. With no physical inventory to manage, you could sell these products directly through your website or digital marketplaces, ensuring a steady stream of passive income.
Moreover, the popularity of digital products is on the rise, making it an opportune time to dive into this market. Membership sites or premium design communities are another avenue you could explore, offering exclusive content to paying members, which could significantly increase your earning potential. By leveraging your expertise to develop high-quality, valuable content, you open yourself up to endless possibilities and a broader audience, bringing you closer to your financial goals.
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.
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.
