Passive Income Ideas For Artists [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a Artist in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a Artist today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.
For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a Artist.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As an artist, starting a stock photography business could be a practical way to supplement your income. By leveraging your creativity and skill in photography, you could produce high-quality images that businesses and individual content creators need for marketing and advertising. These stock photos are often licensed for specific purposes, and you could earn passive income whenever your photos are purchased.
To get started, you could invest in some good photography gear and master the art of taking compelling stock photos. Building an impressive online portfolio would be essential, and with a strong online presence, you could sell your stock photos faster and at profitable margins. This venture not only provides a passive income source but also allows you to keep honing your artistic skills in a new, entrepreneurial way.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
2. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
Starting a print-on-demand business might be a great way for you as an artist to supplement your income or start earning passive income. Instead of holding inventory, you could use print-on-demand services to sell your custom designs on products like t-shirts, home goods, and phone cases. This way, you can focus more on creating trendy and unique artworks while the production and shipping are handled by dropshipping services.
By leveraging platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy, you could reach a global audience, with each order printed and fulfilled without the need for upfront costs. This approach allows you to monetize your creativity without significant financial risk, and the flexibility of operating from home gives you the freedom to scale your business at your own pace. This could be a feasible way to turn your artistic talents into a continuous revenue stream.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
3. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As an artist, you could supplement your income by sharing your creative skills and knowledge through an online course sales business. Imagine creating courses on drawing techniques, painting with watercolors, or digital art that people all over the world can access and learn from. By packaging what you already know into an online course, you could turn your passion into a steady stream of passive income.
You could reach a broad audience by choosing the right online learning platform to host your course. This means that once you create the content, students can enroll without requiring much ongoing effort from you. With the e-learning market expected to be worth over $645 billion, the opportunity to profit from your artistic expertise is immense.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
4. Make passive income with a drinking water business
Starting a drinking water business could be a great way for artists to supplement their income. You could begin small by delivering bottled water to homes and businesses, gradually expanding as the business grows.
The initial investment in purification systems and packaging might seem daunting, but the demand for clean water is constant. Health-conscious consumers and those who care about sustainable living will appreciate eco-friendly packaging or refill options.
By creating a business that addresses a basic human need with quality and sustainability in mind, you could carve out a profitable niche. This venture could not only help you make extra money but also contribute positively to community health.
5. Make passive income with an ecommerce reselling business ($83.3K/month)
Starting an eCommerce reselling business could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income as an artist. By purchasing goods for resale, rather than making everything yourself, you eliminate production costs and save valuable time that you can spend on your art. This way, you're not only selling your original pieces but also offering products that are relevant to your brand and artistic vision.
You do not need a website immediately to get started. You could initially sell through social media, allowing you to reach your audience quickly and grow your business from there. Eventually, as your reseller business expands, you could consider setting up a dedicated website to manage more sales and showcase your broader range of products.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $150,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,999 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Empyre Off-Road, an e-commerce business founded by Greg Shuey which sells aftermarket parts for Toyota Tacomas, Tundras, and 4Runners, generated approximately $100,000 a month in revenue and was able to expand its product offering, focusing on content marketing, email marketing campaigns, and organic social media to attract and retain customers.
6. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog as an artist could open up an exciting avenue to share your creative journey and expertise with a wider audience. By focusing on a specific aspect of your art, such as watercolor techniques, digital art tools, or the business side of being an artist, you could attract other artists and art enthusiasts who are eager to learn and connect.
Creating unique and informative content, such as tutorials, product reviews, and insights into your creative process, could establish you as a trusted voice in the community. Over time, monetizing your blog through affiliate links, brand collaborations, and even speaking at events could help you build a passive income stream while growing your influence and audience.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
7. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
If you're an artist looking for a way to supplement your income, starting a niche website could be a rewarding project. By creating a website focused on a specialized topic you're passionate and knowledgeable about—like a specific art technique or medium—you could attract a dedicated audience. This allows you to share your expertise while also exploring new creative avenues.
You could write articles, create tutorials, or even sell your own digital products, like e-books or online courses. Over time, as you build a loyal following, you could monetize your site through affiliate marketing, ad placements, or selling your own art. While it requires an initial investment in research, content creation, and SEO, a well-established niche website can eventually become a reliable source of passive income.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
8. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As an artist, you could supplement your income by starting an affiliate marketing business. This involves promoting products or services from other companies and earning a commission for each sale made through your unique referral link. Given your artistic skills and online presence, you could choose products that resonate with your audience, such as art supplies, software, or educational courses related to art.
To get started, find products and brands that align with your artistic niche and partner with them as an affiliate. For instance, you could become an affiliate marketer for an eCommerce store that sells high-quality paint or digital drawing tablets. By recommending these products to your followers, you could earn extra income while providing valuable resources to your audience.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 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.
9. Make passive income with a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
As an artist, you could leverage a subscription box business to share your unique creations and connect with a dedicated audience. By curating a monthly box filled with your exclusive artwork, prints, or art supplies, you could offer a special and personalized experience for your customers. This approach could help supplement your income and introduce new fans to your work.
Starting a subscription box business involves understanding your audience's preferences, ensuring high-quality products, and crafting an appealing box design. Building good relationships with fulfillment companies and marketing your service effectively could turn your artistic passion into a profitable venture. This could be a delightful way to share your art with the world while earning passive income.
How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.
10. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)
As an artist, you could explore starting a social media automation business to supplement your income. Essentially, this business involves creating tools and services that schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data across various social media platforms. Your clients, ranging from small businesses to influencers, would pay you to help them save time and enhance their social media presence.
This venture aligns well with creative minds as it leverages your understanding of visual content and audience engagement. Given the rising demand for consistent social media activity, you could tap into a lucrative market by providing valuable automation services. Additionally, this business allows you to stay updated on social media trends, which could also benefit your own artistic promotions.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
11. Make passive income with an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
As an artist, you could use an email marketing tool to engage with your audience more deeply and consistently. By regularly sending out newsletters, sharing upcoming projects, or offering exclusive content, you keep your art in front of potential buyers and enthusiasts. This could help you build a community around your work, encouraging repeat purchases and loyal followers.
Additionally, you could create automated email campaigns to promote limited-time offers, new releases, or special discounts, turning casual browsers into committed buyers. This ongoing engagement can create a steady stream of passive income as your art continues to reach new people without additional effort on your part. Building an email list also gives you a direct line to your audience, bypassing the need for expensive gallery showings or online ads.
How much you can make: $120 — $20,833,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.
12. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a fantastic way for you as an artist to supplement your income. By choosing a niche that aligns with your artistic passion, you could create engaging content that attracts a dedicated audience. You could discuss your creative process, share tips, interview other artists, or explore the art world, helping to establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.
With basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones, and an affordable hosting platform, you could start this side hustle on a budget. As your podcast grows in popularity, you could attract sponsors and advertisers, turning your creative conversations into a steady source of passive income. Promoting your podcast through social media and online art communities could help you reach more listeners and build a loyal fan base.
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.
13. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
Ever thought about turning that brilliant idea into a mobile app? If you're an artist, you could create an app that showcases your artwork, offers drawing tutorials, or even provides a platform for other artists to share their work. Developing a mobile app might seem complex, but it's more feasible than you might think, especially with basic coding knowledge or hiring a skilled developer.
Starting a mobile app business involves planning the user experience carefully and designing engaging interfaces that captivate users. Testing for functionality and bugs ensures a smooth user experience. Marketing your app effectively is crucial to attract users and achieve downloads, turning your creative vision into a potential source of passive income.
With mobile apps being an integral part of everyday life, the opportunities for innovative solutions are immense. If you have an idea that can solve a problem or entertain millions, the world of app development awaits. From showcasing your artistry to creating interactive experiences, the potential for earning passive income is substantial.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
14. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As an artist with an entrepreneurial mindset, you could consider starting an AI-based business solution to supplement your income. AI tools can help streamline various aspects of business, such as automating repetitive tasks or offering valuable insights into customer preferences. This means you could spend less time on administrative work and more on creating art, while also making data-driven decisions to help your business grow.
You don’t need a tech background to get started; many platforms offer user-friendly interfaces and robust support to guide you. With businesses increasingly looking to AI for a competitive edge, this field is ripe with opportunities. By leveraging AI technology, you could significantly enhance the efficiency and profitability of your business and take advantage of this growing market.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month
How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)
Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.
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.
