Making money on DeviantArt involves leveraging the platform's features to sell your art and attract potential buyers. Here are some strategies to monetize your work on DeviantArt:
### 1. **Selling Prints and Merchandise**
DeviantArt allows artists to sell prints and various merchandise with their artwork. Here's how to set it up:
- **Upload High-Quality Artwork**: Ensure your artwork is high resolution so it can be printed clearly.
- **Enable Prints**: When submitting artwork, check the option to sell prints. You can choose from various print options like canvas, photo prints, mugs, etc.
- **Set Prices**: Set your profit margin for each type of print. DeviantArt takes a base fee for production, and you add your profit on top of that.
### 2. **Commissions**
Offering commissions is a popular way to make money. This involves creating custom artwork based on client specifications.
- **Create a Commission Sheet**: Outline what you offer (e.g., character drawings, portraits, digital paintings) and the prices for each type.
- **Advertise Your Services**: Use your DeviantArt journal, social media, and relevant groups to advertise your commission services.
- **Communicate with Clients**: Clearly communicate the process, timelines, and payment terms with clients.
### 3. **Subscriptions**
DeviantArt offers a subscription service where fans can support their favorite artists.
- **Core Membership**: Offer exclusive content to subscribers, such as early access to artwork, behind-the-scenes content, tutorials, or discounts on commissions.
- **Promote Subscriptions**: Regularly promote the benefits of subscribing to your Core Membership through your artwork descriptions, journals, and social media.
### 4. **Digital Downloads**
Sell digital downloads of your artwork, resources, or tutorials.
- **Resource Packs**: Create and sell brushes, textures, templates, and other resources that other artists can use.
- **Tutorials**: Offer step-by-step tutorials or video lessons on how to create certain types of artwork.
### 5. **Adoptables**
Create and sell adoptable characters. These are unique character designs that people can purchase and then own.
- **Design Unique Characters**: Create appealing and unique characters that people would want to buy.
- **Auction or Fixed Price**: Sell them at a fixed price or hold auctions where people bid on the character.
### 6. **Collaborations and Sponsorships**
Partner with other artists or brands for collaborative projects.
- **Joint Projects**: Work with other artists on joint projects that can be sold or attract sponsorships.
- **Brand Sponsorships**: Partner with brands that align with your art style for sponsored content.
### 7. **Promote Your Work**
Visibility is key to selling art. Use these strategies to promote your work:
- **Engage with the Community**: Comment on other artists' works, join groups, and participate in contests to increase your visibility.
- **Social Media**: Share your DeviantArt portfolio on social media platforms to drive traffic to your page.
- **SEO**: Use relevant keywords and tags to make your artwork easily searchable on DeviantArt and search engines.
### Tips for Success
- **Consistency**: Regularly upload new artwork to keep your gallery fresh and engaging.
- **Quality**: Focus on high-quality art and presentation to attract buyers.
- **Engagement**: Build relationships with your audience by responding to comments and engaging with other artists.
By combining these strategies, you can effectively monetize your art on DeviantArt and build a sustainable income stream.