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How do you start selling your hobby?
Ima High School Senior, and I'm considering the possibility of selling my art before college to raise money for school. How can I go about this? I draw digitally and don't know if commissions are the best route to making money from my art. Any advice from people who made their hobbies into side hustles would be extremely helpful, thank you! #Spring26
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Jamie’s Answer
Select a social media platform to build your audience. Next, cost in a consistent manner. Then, pick what you want to sell when your audience reaches a hundred followers or so,
Updated
Lin Yu’s Answer
It’s great that you’re thinking ahead and considering turning your digital art into a way to raise money for college. Many artists start small and figure out what works best for them.
Here are some ways to start selling your art:
Commissions — custom artwork for clients is a common starting point.
Online marketplaces like Etsy, Gumroad, or DeviantArt for digital downloads or prints.
Social media — Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter to showcase your art and attract clients.
Local markets or community events for prints or small items.
Build a portfolio online to show examples of your work.
Start small, test what works, and adjust as you go.
Here are some ways to start selling your art:
Commissions — custom artwork for clients is a common starting point.
Online marketplaces like Etsy, Gumroad, or DeviantArt for digital downloads or prints.
Social media — Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter to showcase your art and attract clients.
Local markets or community events for prints or small items.
Build a portfolio online to show examples of your work.
Start small, test what works, and adjust as you go.
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hi Kim,
It really depends on how much you want to sell or invest in marketing your art. I understand you might not want to spend more than you could make, especially if you're saving for college. I'd suggest sharing your art on social media. For example, Facebook has business pages you can set up. If you already have a social media page, you can also use Facebook Marketplace to advertise your work. Show off your best pieces at fair prices. You can also offer to do custom work if someone is interested in a personal piece. Plus, there are websites where you can turn your art into products like mugs and t-shirts.
Good luck with everything and your future!
It really depends on how much you want to sell or invest in marketing your art. I understand you might not want to spend more than you could make, especially if you're saving for college. I'd suggest sharing your art on social media. For example, Facebook has business pages you can set up. If you already have a social media page, you can also use Facebook Marketplace to advertise your work. Show off your best pieces at fair prices. You can also offer to do custom work if someone is interested in a personal piece. Plus, there are websites where you can turn your art into products like mugs and t-shirts.
Good luck with everything and your future!
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Angelina,
Have you thought about making your art into consumer products such as t-shirts, notecards, mugs, and so on? Is your work appropriate for that? If so, you could try offering your drawings on a print-on-demand site such as Redbubble or Cafe Press, which would expose you to a huge audience.
I don't think selling your art is an either/or but maybe a both/and. If you want to try commissions, make sure you get half down and collect the other half on delivery of the final. Because they're custom made, they're often personal and won't necessarily be relevant to other people, so be sure to protect your own interests.
Hope this helps!
Have you thought about making your art into consumer products such as t-shirts, notecards, mugs, and so on? Is your work appropriate for that? If so, you could try offering your drawings on a print-on-demand site such as Redbubble or Cafe Press, which would expose you to a huge audience.
I don't think selling your art is an either/or but maybe a both/and. If you want to try commissions, make sure you get half down and collect the other half on delivery of the final. Because they're custom made, they're often personal and won't necessarily be relevant to other people, so be sure to protect your own interests.
Hope this helps!