Trying to make money as a freelance artist
TLDRA college student juggling school and driving lessons considers freelance digital art to save money for moving out. Despite initial lack of response and low self-esteem, they persevere, adjusting prices and eventually securing a commission. They face challenges including non-payment for work and requests for inappropriate content, but also experience the joy of receiving a tip. The struggle continues as they balance art, education, and financial needs.
Takeaways
- 🎨 A freelance artist with a busy schedule is seeking ways to earn money without compromising their studies.
- 🚗 The artist is juggling college, driving lessons, and freelancing, highlighting the challenges of multitasking.
- 💡 The idea of offering digital art commissions arises as a potential solution for flexible, supplementary income.
- 📉 Initial lack of response leads to self-doubt and consideration of lowering prices to attract customers.
- 💰 The first commission received is a large order, but it comes with a request for an unwatermarked version before payment.
- 😤 The artist faces a dilemma between wanting payment for their work and the desire to secure the sale.
- 🎉 A successful completion of the first commission is celebrated, but the artist is not paid for their time or work.
- 🤔 The artist contemplates the value of their work and the challenges of balancing art, studies, and income.
- 💸 A tip received for good work brings a moment of joy, but it's not enough to offset the financial struggles.
- 🚫 The artist is approached with a request for inappropriate content, which they reluctantly accept for the money.
- 📚 As exams approach, the artist decides to prioritize studies over freelance work, reflecting the tension between earning and learning.
Q & A
What is the main challenge the freelance artist faces in the beginning?
-The main challenge the artist faces is the lack of customers and the uncertainty of when they will start receiving commissions.
How does the artist initially price their work?
-The artist initially prices their work lower due to their belief that their art isn't that great yet.
What is the artist's strategy to attract customers?
-The artist's strategy is to offer their services at a lower price in hopes of attracting customers and building a portfolio.
Why does the artist consider their pricing might be too high?
-The artist considers their pricing might be too high because they are not receiving any orders or messages from potential customers.
What is the artist's reaction to receiving their first big order?
-The artist is surprised and excited about the first big order, which is a $70 sketch job.
How does the artist handle payment for their work?
-The artist sends an invoice for the work and requires payment before sending the unwatermarked final version of the artwork.
What is the customer's concern about paying upfront?
-The customer is concerned about the possibility of being scammed, as they are not used to paying before receiving the final product.
How does the artist feel about doing work for exposure without payment?
-The artist is not willing to do work for free, even if it means getting exposure from a customer with a large following.
What type of request does the artist receive that makes them uncomfortable?
-The artist receives a request for a drawing that involves explicit content, which makes them uncomfortable.
What unexpected reward does the artist receive after completing a job?
-The artist receives an unexpected tip from a satisfied customer for the first time.
Outlines
🎨 Struggling Artist's Journey
The paragraph introduces a college student juggling school, driving lessons, and the desire to save money for moving out. The student decides to leverage their improving digital art skills to earn money by opening up for commissions. Initially, they price their work affordably, anticipating the need to build a customer base. Despite their efforts, they face a lack of immediate response and question their pricing and the quality of their art. Eventually, they receive a large order and complete it, but encounter issues with payment and customer expectations. The experience is challenging, with the artist compromising on their values for the sake of exposure and financial need.
📚 Prioritizing Studies Over Commissions
In this paragraph, the artist acknowledges the importance of focusing on their upcoming exams, recognizing that their commission efforts have not been fruitful. Despite receiving notifications, they are disheartened to find that the messages are not potential customers but rather distractions. This realization leads the artist to prioritize their academic responsibilities over the pursuit of commission work, indicating a shift in focus from financial concerns to academic achievements.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡freelance artist
💡commissions
💡pricing
💡algorithm
💡progress pictures
💡unwatermarked version
💡exposure
💡scams
💡character design
💡tips
💡exam
Highlights
Balancing college and freelance work while looking for additional income.
The idea of leveraging improved digital art skills for earning money.
Creating a commission sheet with competitive pricing to attract potential customers.
Initial lack of response and the need for patience in the freelance market.
Re-evaluating and lowering prices to increase the appeal of services.
First commission received and the excitement of a significant order.
Establishing a clear process for sketch approval and final payment before delivering the final product.
The challenge of non-payment for work completed and the disappointment it brings.
The dilemma of balancing artistic integrity with financial necessity.
The pressure of maintaining a steady income while facing financial constraints.
The negotiation of services in exchange for exposure on social media platforms.
Handling inappropriate requests while maintaining professionalism.
The unexpected receipt of a tip and its positive impact on morale.
The decision to prioritize education over freelance work during exam periods.
The ongoing struggle with notifications of potential customers that may not lead to actual work.