Easy Passive Income Ideas for Artists in 2024

One of the biggest lies we understood only when we grew up is that honest work will not always lead to financial freedom. This applies even more so to artists who devote their craftsmanship and creativity to fulfill their vision and passion combined with the ideals they believe in.

Often, an artist has to find side hustles to earn extra money to let them keep their main focus on the artistic work, which is not always profitable.

The great news is that the digital market enables us to save time by putting us into situations where passive income covers the side hustle part. As an artist, you can start an art business by using your creations to market and sell them, sometimes even without additional work.

Besides this strategy you can employ using your creative aptitudes, there are numerous types of other income methods you can try out. In this article, we’ll introduce you to some of the passive income ideas and which platforms can be used to apply them.

Passive Income Strategies for Artists: Types of Passive Income

1. Print-on-demand Services

Print-on-demand (POD) services are an excellent choice for artists aiming to earn passive income without managing inventory or shipping. Artists can print their digital artwork on products like mugs, bags, accessories, t-shirts, mats, home decor, or even on walls.

To get started, you’ll need to partner with POD companies hosting your products on their website. The company handles inventory and shipping work, and then you receive payment in the form of commissions for each sale.

Companies like Redbubble are risk-free POD platforms where you can sell calendars, notepads, phone cases, t-shirts, pillows, art prints, and more.

Artists can create beautiful, high-resolution images for posters, canvas prints, and framed art pieces. Wall art is highly popular, especially on sites like Society6 and Fine Art America, which allow artists to showcase their unique designs in varying formats.

Even traditional artwork can be digitized and uploaded to POD platforms, allowing fans to purchase products with their original designs. This strategy broadens an artist’s reach and makes their art more accessible to global audiences.

With this service, an artist, on average, can earn $1 per listing, but there is no limit to the ceiling.

2. Art Licensing

Licensing your art is a lucrative way to earn passive income by permitting companies to use your artwork on specific products, such as clothing, home decor, or stationery.

Artwork can also be used in commercial ads or those that promote good causes and are funded by the state. Licensed artwork will help in advertising the company or a particular initiative, and this publicity will both be rewarded monetarily and increase the audience for future gains.

Artists are typically compensated through royalties based on product sales or a flat licensing fee.

Licensing agreements can be set up with companies directly or through licensing agencies, allowing artists to reach larger audiences and earn money without managing the production.

Artists typically earn 5-15% of the wholesale price per item sold or can get a one-time licensing fee ranging from $500 to $5,000 per design.

3. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing allows artists to earn commissions by promoting products or services relevant to their audience. By joining affiliate programs, such as Amazon Associates or ShareASale, artists can recommend products like art supplies, software, or tools they use in their creative process.

When followers or fans purchase items through the artist’s unique affiliate link, the artist earns a percentage of each sale, providing a low-effort income stream. These must be products that meet your target audience.

To succeed in affiliate marketing, you must have a good number of social media followers. You’ll also need quality marketing strategies to attract customers.

Sites like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy allow you to earn through this method. Expect to earn anywhere from 1% to 30% in commissions.

4. Selling Artwork Courses

Online courses are one of the best passive income ideas that you can rely on. They are particularly worth it if you have the knowledge and are skilled at handling complex art-related software. Any valuable skills that can help you set up the courses are also beneficial.

Courses can range from beginner tutorials to advanced art styles. You can choose whether to offer online or face-to-face artwork classes. The latter option will require more attention and work since you will be interacting live.

However, recording your art classes with a one-time setup that continues to attract and educate students over time will be more cost-effective. Setting up an art class on Udemy or Skillshare enables artists to reach a global audience, and each enrollment generates revenue with little to no ongoing effort.

You can also give these lectures for free to familiarize more people with your artwork, thus increasing the possibility of making sales. After video recording your material and uploading it, millions can access it anytime.

On platforms like Udemy or Skillshare, creators typically earn between $1 to $5 per student, depending on the subscription model or course price. With more audience, you will be able to charge your fees higher.

5. Leasing

Leasing artwork is a unique approach where artists rent their artwork to businesses, offices, or individuals for a specified period. As an artist, you know how long it takes to sell your artwork. Rather than waiting months or weeks to make one sale, consider leasing as you wait for a buyer.

There are art leasing companies such as IPaintMyMind and Rise Art that you can count on. Still, you can lease it yourself, too, if you so decide.

Many companies seek art leases to enhance office spaces, and this arrangement allows artists to earn ongoing income from the same piece. While it requires upfront coordination, leasing agreements can be a great way to increase exposure and income.

This approach is also a marketing strategy for your work to gain recognition. Businesses and individuals can rent your work and may even refer your artwork to others, thus increasing your leasing potential.

With this lucrative business, you can generate from $200 to $10,000 with an average fee of $500.

6. Ebook

You can combine all your knowledge and expertise about your artistry work into an eBook, as many people would be interested in such content, especially beginners.

Creating ebooks on art-related topics, such as “How to Get Started as a Freelance Artist” or “Tips and Techniques for Digital Artists” can generate passive income for artists. Artists can also sell digital downloads of their work, such as high-quality digital files for buyers to print themselves. 

Ebooks and digital downloads can be distributed on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Etsy, or Gumroad, creating a consistent income stream. If you have a website, you can also publish it there and market it through your social media accounts.

If you have little knowledge about a specific topic, you can find a copywriter to compile the content for you and a graphic designer to design the cover page and book outlook. For ebooks, there are no upfront publishing costs.

You can make $1,000 monthly if you use a site like Amazon and write attractive content.

7. Subscription Services

With platforms like Patreon or Spotify, artists can offer subscription-based services, where fans pay a monthly fee for exclusive content, such as behind-the-scenes videos, early access to new artwork, or special Q&A sessions.

This strategy is perfect if you have a great number of social media followers. Subscription services provide a steady, predictable income that can grow as the artist’s subscriber base expands.

To start this side hustle, it needs some upfront work and upkeep. First, thoroughly research the best subscription service and use it to generate passive income.

Major labels pay artists 16% of their royalties – sites like Spotify pay from $2 to $4 per 1,000 streams.

Best Platforms for Artists to Earn Passive Income in 2024

Instagram

Instagram is an extensively used social media platform based on images. Any visual art can be showcased to reach a global audience.

SEO strategies like keyword usage and hashtags can attract people to your content. Post high-quality images with the help of photo editing services. An optimized caption for your content and a well-optimized bio for your page will certainly catch users’ attention.

This platform can offer passive income potential if you post sponsored content, allowing artists to collaborate with brands or promote products related to their niche.

Additionally, Instagram can be used to drive traffic to an artist’s website or online shop, where followers can purchase prints or other products.

TikTok

TikTok is becoming a vastly popular platform, which is followed by success stories. People make millions from TikTok.

Thanks to its optimized algorithms, this highly interactive platform can help you generate passive income from your art with ease. Earning engagement on TikTok is simpler than on Instagram. The TikTok algorithm categorizes your content and channels it to the right audience.

Passive income will flow to your pocket from sales or views through the platform or your affiliate links. If you build your audience consistently, your content will get sponsored by those who want to profit from your publicity.

TikTok takes 50% of your earnings, leaving you with the other half. Additionally, stream gifts are a great bonus to your earnings.

Fiverr

Fiverr is ideal for artists looking to offer custom work or services on a freelance basis. You can also sell POD services through it. 

Artists can also list premade digital downloads, such as graphics, fonts, artwork, custom illustrations, or logos, and generate passive income as people purchase their services and products.

It’s important to not forget to have a unique digital identifier (such as a watermark or even an NFT) to confirm authenticity and claim ownership of your digital artwork.

When you sell from a POD supplier, they may sell it at $9; you can market it and sell it at $20 to get a good profit from it. Depending on how in demand your artwork is, you can make up to $500 selling through POD services on Fiverr.

Creative Market

This platform is the best for artists selling digital products. If you want to showcase your illustrations, digital designs, templates, web themes, photos, and fonts, it’s the place for you.

Its project licensing is a pre-designed asset ready to use. You get to choose between monthly and enterprise licensing memberships. In Creative Market, you can make up to $100k over time. One thing you need to be aware of about the platform is that it takes a 40% commission on any sale you make.

You can also earn through commission. If your customer is a first-timer, you get a 15% commission for the purchase they make within the first 30 days. When a new customer buys from your shop through your link, you will make 85% on sales and 15% on partner commission.

Udemy

Udemy is a global marketplace for online courses, making it an ideal platform for artists who want to teach art and sell art classes or tutorials. It’s the most popular e-learning site worldwide.

When you create a course and sell it through this platform, around 50 million potential students can have access. Udemy’s vast audience provides exposure that can lead to a steady income stream as students purchase and enroll in courses over time.

As an instructor on Udemy, you receive a 30% commission for every course bought. Udemy takes 70% of the earnings. Some top instructors have managed to make over $1 million yearly, while some beginner instructors have managed to secure $200 monthly.

Etsy

Etsy is a well-known platform for handmade goods, where you can sell original artwork, prints, vintage items, and even art supplies. Its global reach lets you build a profitable customer base.

The platform has marketing tools and SEO capabilities that allow users to optimize their listings to attract more buyers.

With original artwork and prints, artists can set and modify the prices. With enough marketing effort and success, an artist can achieve sales ranging from $500 to $3,000 per month.

For digital downloads, artists can earn anywhere from $5 to $50 per item sold, depending on the complexity and demand for their work.

Amazon

Amazon offers several options for earning passive income, enabling artists to reach a large audience with varying product types.

By listing products on Amazon Handmade, artists can reach millions of potential customers looking for unique, high-quality handcrafted goods. 

Depending on the perceived value of an item, you can earn from $10 to $100 per sale. Amazon charges a referral fee of 15%, so artists should factor this into their pricing strategy.

You can also sell fine art prints and originals on the Amazon Art platform. Targeted exposure to collectors and art lovers will grant more sales, especially for well-marketed pieces.

Artists using Amazon’s POD services can create digital art and earn a royalty of 20% on every product sold. A successful marketing strategy and high-quality products allow artists to get from $1,000 to $5,000 monthly.

eBay

There is a wide range of various items that you can sell on eBay. Its auction-style listing can attract buyers looking for unique or limited-edition works.

You can start bids at a low price to generate interest, potentially leading to higher prices as the result of the competition among buyers. Artists can benefit from eBay’s global audience, giving them access to a broader market.

Regularly updating listings and engaging with potential buyers can fuel your success on the platform, leading to a steady stream of passive income.

Depending on the item and its rarity, artists can earn from $20 to over $500 for individual pieces. Additionally, eBay offers fixed-price listings, allowing artists to set a consistent price for their work. Successful sellers with firm dedication can expect to make between $500 and $2,000 monthly.

Saatchi Art

Saatchi Art is a well-respected platform for new original art handpicked by expert curators. Nearly a hundred thousand emerging artists have access to a global audience on the platform.

Saatchi handles marketing and shipping, taking the practical concerns off the artists’ shoulders. As an artist, you will have the sole job, which is turning your craftsmanship into valuable items for others to buy.

On this platform, you can embed your offerings in a variegated marketplace appealing to a wide range of preferences. You can set the price and receive a 65% commission on each sale.

Artists can earn between $1,000 and $10,000 monthly, depending on the appeal of their work. By regularly updating their portfolios and engaging with the Saatchi community, artists will attract more buyers, thus turning their hardly thought passive income ideas into profit.

Society6

Society6 is a POD platform for various products, making it easy for artists to upload artwork and sell items like phone cases, wall art, and home decor.

The platform manages all production and shipping, so the artists can focus on their work without worrying about the practical side. They make money from a base price for each product sold, and they can set their markup, usually resulting in profits ranging from 10% to 30% per sale. This model allows artists to earn passive income without efforts outside of their artwork.

Given the fact that many customizable types of products can be sold on Society6, artists can reach diverse customer segments. With enough success, you may earn anywhere from $500 to $2,000 per month, depending on the popularity of your artwork.

By promoting your Society6 store through social media and personal websites, you can drive traffic to your pages, increasing your passive income potential.

Final Thoughts

Multiple platforms, such as Instagram, Udemy, and Amazon, can be used to get paid for the work you have already done. You can solidify your passive income flow by using wise strategies to make repeated profits from one-time works, such as selling online teaching material or digital copies of your artwork.

As an artist, you need to be creative not only in your artistic work but also in endeavors to find buyers and people who will be following your journey through your art career.

While you are waiting for your artwork or secrets of creation to be bought online, you can get a few extra bucks by sharing your internet connection at Pawns.app or try to earn some cash by doing as simple tasks as listening to music and giving your opinions.

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