Artists have always struggled to “make it,” but due to the decline in interest in the arts, most aspiring artists do not have the luxury of doing what they love for a living. As a result, many creatives are forced to sacrifice their “creative time” and find a side hustle. A job that pays the bills but sacrifices the arts for financial security.
If you’re not willing to sacrifice anything—be it a creative time or food in your stomach and a roof over your head—the good news is that you don’t have to. Here at Airbrush Events, we explain that taking up a side job requires little of your time but promises good to even excellent returns.
Side Hustles Benefits
As an artist, Everything Finance notes that there are several benefits of working a side-gig—even if it truly is a “side-gig,” meaning you do it in addition to your nine-to-five. The most obvious benefit is the extra income.
As an inspiring artist who wants time to create, you can use the extra income to build sizeable savings. Once you have six months to a year saved up, you can reduce your hours at work or take a leave of absence and use your newfound freedom to focus strictly on your art.
You can also use your side hustle to build a business that has the potential to one day evolve into your full-time job. For instance, you can sell your original artworks on Etsy, wholesale your products to local boutiques, or contract out your services.
The dream, your own business
Running a business requires choosing what type of structure you’ll legally operate as; many startups choose to operate as a limited liability company because of the tax advantages and the protection of personal assets.
You can start a freelance business and slowly but steadily grow a customer base that has a need for the art you offer. Starting a business on the side is a great way to turn your talent into profit without sacrificing the financial security while you do so.
Once you’ve established your business, invest in some cloud accounting software to keep your books. This will make running your business much more efficient.
You can even incorporate your artistic skills into your invoicing. Try an invoice generator to create customized invoices that your customers will love. Just because you’re now an official business owner doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun.
Choose offerings that will sell more than what it costs to produce or create them. However, be sure that if you plan to start a business you have the capacity to deliver.
Respect customers’ time and never over-promise and under-deliver. Put forth the time and effort to build trusting relationships now and it will pay off when you decide to turn your gig into your career.
Types of Side Hustles to Consider
From selling your clothes on thredUP to becoming an Uber driver, there is no shortage of ways you can make money on the side. However, if you truly hope to turn your talent into a career, you should be a bit choosy about the type of side hustle you’re willing to take on.
While you shouldn’t turn down everything that is not a commission, you should look for side jobs that let you hone your skills and possibly even build a future client base.
For instance, if you’re a graphic designer, consider freelancing your services to small businesses that need Instagram and TikTok ads. If you’re an aspiring actor, become a children’s party entertainer or voice-over actor. If you play an instrument, consider offering music lessons.
Acorns provide dozens of side hustle ideas for artists that are worth looking into.
If you are free on weekends, here is one side hustle most people don’t consider, starting a moving company. Check out this 2022 study on why starting a local moving company might be the best side hustle ever.
Where to Look for Side Hustles
You don’t need to look far to find people in need of your talent. Artsy Shark explains that networking is ever more important for artists of every stripe. And while networking is one of the best ways to grow your art business, you can also join sites like Fiverr, Freelancer, Guru, and Working Not Working.
Consider selling your prints on stock photo sites if you’re a photographer. Or, you can create a virtual booth for your art.
Artists have to work harder than most other professionals to make it. However, with hard work, perseverance, and a bit of creative thinking, you can eventually ditch the nine-to-five and do what you truly love for a living.
