How To Become a Successful Freelance Artist

The internet age has been full of surprises. While online advantages have reshaped much of modern life, there is one such advantage that trumps all the others, at least for the average person. The internet and online culture have afforded normal people the ability to create opportunities for themselves online, and this trend is responsible for creative careers such as those of freelance artists. While this may sound like a dream job, it’s still a job, and you’ll need to bring your A game in order to make a name for yourself and build a career from your artistic talents. Here’s what you need to know.

Managing Your Finances

The most important part of any commercial endeavor, be it private or corporate, is the finances. In order to be a successful freelance artist, you’ll need to make strategic use of your monetary assets in order to make ends meet and invest in growing your business. Calculating your recurring revenue is fundamental for creating a monthly budget, and that budget will determine several aspects of your business’s finances. For example, your budget will give you an outline of how much money you’ll have for living expenses, and what remains can be used to purchase a new drawing tablet or other equipment that can facilitate the growth of your business.

When you’re getting your start in any creative career, you’ll want to be careful not to put all of your eggs in one basket. Because this kind of dream job is always in demand, and more accessible than ever, competition will be steep. Likewise, it takes time to grow the audience you’ll need to make this kind of work your full time job. For that reason, you’ll want to keep your day job in order to continue to afford your living expenses, and this will be the best way to invest in the needs of your budding art career, as well.

Improving Your Reach

Building a following is an essential part of forging your own path and starting an independent, creative career. This starts with the work itself, because each piece you make serves to create a portfolio that can show potential clients what you have to offer. Likewise, it helps to improve your skills so that your acumen increases, boosting your potential asking price as a result. Your portfolio won’t do you any good without a method of distributing it to your potential clients. This means you’ll need to create and maintain a compelling online presence.

Social media marketing is a valuable tool for entrepreneurs of all kinds, and Instagram and Twitter in particular have robust, thriving communities of amateur and freelance artists. When it comes to social media marketing, using more than one platform is generally recommended in order to maximize your reach and audience. In addition to social media exposure, you’ll want a website that can serve as a more comprehensive portfolio and offer clients additional services, such as a way of commissioning artwork.

Working With Clients

People skills are part and parcel with any job in which you deal directly with customers, but freelance artists will have even greater need for these vital skills. This is because, unlike retail, clients that request your work may feel inclined to haggle over prices and request unexpected changes. Knowing how to sidestep potential pitfalls like these with grace is essential for making successful sales and, more importantly, satisfied customers. These successes in both the product itself and the satisfaction of your clients will serve your reputation greatly, as testimonials are a major part of making a name for yourself as an independent creator.

Becoming a professional artist is the perfect marriage between realizing your passions and making a living, but it requires a lot of work that can be difficult to navigate for the uninitiated. These tips will help you get your start in the best way possible, but it’s up to you exhibit discipline and put the pieces together.