Building a sustainable income as an artist doesn’t always have to rely on creating new work every day. Passive income streams can provide financial stability and more time for your creative pursuits. While passive income still requires effort to set up, once established, these streams can generate earnings with minimal ongoing work. I like to think of the passive income streams I have set up as a Superannuation fund - they will be bringing in money over time with little work. But please, also have an actual superannuation fund too.
Here are 10 ways to start building passive income as an artist:
1. Sell Digital Art Prints
One of the easiest ways for artists to create passive income is by selling digital prints of their artwork. You can upload high-quality images of your work to platforms like Etsy, Society6, or Redbubble, where buyers can purchase and download them. These platforms handle the transactions and distribution, leaving you to focus on creating. Digital downloads can include anything from fine art prints to printable calendars and custom illustrations. I have a few products available on my Society6 site that you can check out. From personal experience, I'm not going to be able to retire on the profit from online sales, but it is nice to get a little financial boost every now and then. If you were to invest a lot of time into marketing and driving traffic to your site, as well as consistently uploading artworks, maybe you could make a decent income.
2. License Your Artwork
Licensing your art to companies or individuals is a great way to earn passive income. You can license your artwork for products like home decor, clothing, stationery, and more. Platforms like ArtLicensing.com or Print-on-Demand companies such as Spoonflower allow you to submit your designs for licensing. Every time a company uses your artwork, you earn royalties without having to manage the production or sales process. In the past I have worked directly with companies to license my artwork, but if you're new to licensing, I suggest working with an agent or third-party provider.
3. Create Online Courses
If you have expertise in a particular technique or medium, consider creating an online course or tutorial series. Platforms like Skillshare, Udemy, and Teachable allow you to upload instructional videos and get paid each time someone takes your course. Once you've created and uploaded the course, it can continue generating income indefinitely with minimal upkeep. I have previously had courses on Teachable (which is a pricey platform) but have since moved them to my Wix website. The reason for doing this is, that I was making much less profit on the other platforms, whereas 100% of the sales of my online courses go to me. Skillshare is a great place to start as they have the course traffic, but be ready to evaluate and make better financial moves in the future.
4. Sell Stock Illustrations or Photography
Many websites pay artists for stock illustrations, graphics, or photos. Websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Creative Market allow you to upload your artwork or photography, where it can be purchased repeatedly by different users. While the upfront earnings might be small, popular works can earn consistently over time as they are licensed by multiple customers.
5. Create an Art Subscription Service
A subscription service provides a regular income stream, with customers paying a recurring fee to access exclusive content. You can create an art subscription service through platforms like Patreon, where subscribers gain access to behind-the-scenes content, tutorials, exclusive prints, or early access to your new works. Or Instagram even has a subscription service now for extra content. This method can build a community of supporters while generating passive income. A version of this that I have created is the Online Group Coaching Program, albeit not a soley passive income, it does allow for scaling without more work.
6. Sell an Ebook or Art Guide
If you have knowledge in a specific art niche or have experienced success with your business strategies, consider writing an ebook or guide. This could be a "how-to" on painting techniques, selling art online, or even marketing strategies for artists. Once published, an ebook can be sold on platforms like Amazon Kindle or Gumroad, generating passive income for years to come. I have created a physical workbook which is printed on demand by Amazon. I drive traffic to the Creative Business Development Workbook and when people purchase, the money goes into my account and Amazon print, and post the item, all while I'm fast asleep or working away on client projects. The profit margin on these types of books is really good and the sales have been consistent and a nice chunk-o-change each month.
7. Create Art Merchandise
With print-on-demand services like Zazzle, Printful, or Redbubble, you can easily turn your designs into merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, or tote bags. The platform handles printing, shipping, and customer service, leaving you with a commission on every sale. This allows your artwork to reach a broader audience while generating passive income.
8. Participate in Affiliate Marketing
If you have a blog, website, or social media following, affiliate marketing can be another source of passive income. As an artist, you can promote art supplies, tools, or software you use and love, and include affiliate links. Every time someone purchases through your link, you earn a commission. Amazon Associates and Skillshare are a few affiliate programs you can join. I have previously been an Amazon Affiliate but you need to make a minimum amount of sales to continue in the program. I did not. Sales are not my strong point!
9. Create a YouTube Channel
If you enjoy teaching or showcasing your process, consider starting a YouTube channel. You can post tutorials, time-lapses of your art creation, or advice for aspiring artists. Once your channel reaches a certain number of subscribers (1000 to be exact) and views, you can monetise your videos through ads. Over time, this can build into a source of passive income, especially as older videos continue to be watched. I do love YouTube as a marketing channel, but gosh it is hard to be consistent when videos are not your 'thing'. I did try for a little while to upload videos, but I found it so time consuming with very few subscribers. My 9 year old son is still encouraging the YouTube fame and fortune, and I will upload the podcast interviews to YouTube in the coming months - but it feels like a huge effort! I'll keep you up to date if my subscriber numbers increase from 48!
10. Sell NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)
The rise of blockchain technology has introduced NFTs as a new way for artists to sell their digital art. By minting your artwork as an NFT on platforms like OpenSea or Rarible, you can sell digital ownership rights to collectors. Additionally, many NFT platforms allow artists to earn royalties on every resale of their artwork, creating a long-term passive income stream. The idea of NFTs sounds great, but I spent a solid 6 months researching and diving deep into this world with little to no return. I still have a range of NFTs on Opensea but they've expired. If you've had more luck than me, let me know!
Building passive income as an artist is all about leveraging your creativity in multiple ways, beyond the traditional gallery route. While these methods take time to establish, they can provide a steady stream of income, freeing you to focus on your art. With the right strategy, you can turn your passion into a sustainable career while maintaining financial stability. Let me know how you go with building you passive income.
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