There is no one-size-fits-all way to make money as an artist on Instagram. However, there are a few proven strategies that many successful artists use.
Showcase your creative process on IG by creating timelapses or a series of posts. Both customers and fellow creatives love seeing how artwork comes to life.
1. Sponsored Posts
If you have a significant amount of followers, brands may reach out to you and offer you sponsorship opportunities. These are essentially paid promotional posts that can be placed on your Instagram feed and Stories. These ads can include a link that directs people to your website or to an online shop where they can purchase your work.
While sponsored posts can be a great way to make money, it’s important to keep in mind that you need to uphold your integrity as an artist. Only accept sponsored opportunities for products that you believe in and would recommend to your followers. Otherwise, you risk losing the trust of your audience.
Another way to monetize your Instagram account is by selling physical art prints. You can use a print-on-demand service like Printful to create a custom product and sell it directly through your Instagram account. This allows you to avoid the hassle of shipping and handling, and it also gives you more control over pricing.
A good way to get started with selling prints is by creating a dedicated landing page on your website that features your available pieces. Then, add a link to your Instagram bio that directs people to your storefront. This is a convenient and easy way to start earning from your Instagram presence. The key is to have a well-designed and optimized website that can convert visitors into buyers.
2. Affiliate Partnerships
For artists looking for a little extra cash flow, partnering with affiliate programs can be an excellent option. By promoting products or services on your Instagram page, you can earn commission on every sale. This can be a great way to make money as an artist, but it’s important to remember that you must always uphold your integrity and only promote products that you actually use or would recommend to your followers.
Another easy way to make money as an artist is by building a solid portfolio website. This is a great way to showcase your work and get potential clients in touch with you. It’s also important to continue posting regularly, so your followers are constantly being exposed to your art.
If you’re not comfortable with creating a site yourself, there are many freelance marketplaces where you can find clients that are looking for a specific piece of artwork. Just be sure to research the client and their requirements before pitching your work.
Instagram is a great platform for showcasing a rolling portfolio of your work. Posting about your current projects, process and even behind the scenes can be an effective way to generate interest from prospective fans. Using proper lighting and understanding how to best use your camera can also go a long way in making your posts more attractive and engaging. Take a look at how Georgie St Claire has done a great job of this on her Instagram page.
3. Selling Your Work
Using Instagram as an e-commerce platform is one of the easiest ways to make money as an artist. The key is in building your brand and creating a consistent aesthetic that people will recognise, and then directing them to your website or shop. This can be done through the platform’s ‘Shop’ feature, or by pointing your followers to your own online store through services like Shopify.
Another great way to sell your work on Instagram is by offering commissions. This can be a great way to get your name out there, and it also provides an opportunity for you to create unique, custom pieces for your followers. Some popular commissions include logos and web branding for small businesses, influencers, and YouTube channels, as well as illustration work for books and other physical products.
If you are a more extrovert person, then you can also consider teaching your art to others. This can be a great way to make some extra income, as well as help people learn your skills and become more confident in their own artistic abilities. The best thing is, this method can also be very flexible, as you can teach on your own terms and schedule. For example, if you’re an astrophotographer, you could offer private lessons to those interested in learning how to capture the night sky through their lens.
4. Teaching
There’s a growing trend among creators to sell their own products, whether physical or digital. Pet influencer Loki the Wolfdog, for example, turned his popular Instagram account into a line of natural dog food called Loki Naturals. You can also monetize your IG account by selling your services, such as photography or consulting. To do this, direct followers to your professional website or a landing page that features your digital work (e.g., e-courses, podcast episodes, audio recordings, design presets).
You can also make money from your IG account by teaching others how to do what you do. This could be through online classes, in-person workshops, or by offering one-on-one coaching sessions. The key is to find a niche that interests your audience and provides value for them. For instance, if you’re an astrophotographer, you might teach students how to take better night photos.
In addition to selling your own products, you can also earn from affiliate marketing. By joining an affiliate program, you can promote other brands’ products within your Instagram posts and Stories to earn commissions. Be sure to only partner with brands that align with your values and audience. Also, don’t forget to add a link to your affiliate program in your bio and craft engaging captions that don’t come across as pushy.