As a subscriber to the NYC Create Newsletter, you know that each week we add another bullet point list installment that provides you with step by step assistance to become the best ArtisticPreneur possible. We are now on entry 3 of 6 of the series “How to Make Money as an Artist” providing suggestions for yet more artistic income streams that can contribute to your career as a creative.
In this entry 3 of 6 we are looking at two more sources for artists of all kinds including musicians, writers, filmmakers and actors etc. The two income streams we are exploring are sponsorship as well as creating and selling creativity oriented eBooks.
As you likely know by now eBooks are selling like crazy on Amazon. Also, for authors the process of self publishing has become the norm. It is no longer necessary to go through a publisher to get your work out there. The internet has created a means for getting information into the hands of those who need it.
So even if you are not a writer by profession, you likely have something to say on the topic of your art form or expertise which would be of value to readers. The key is to first determine the solution you are providing as well as who the audience is that needs it. If you start an ecommerce site you can sell your eBooks directly to your target demographic. And if you are an artist/author who is writing a nonfiction book on how to do something that relates to your art form, you are essentially simultaneously promoting your creative career as well.
Another area that we will be delving into in this current “How To” bullet list is that of sponsorship. This can be a viable income stream, or as you will learn, can also be a way to barter with businesses who have a product or service that you need. Of course, the key here is developing your base so that you have an audience that your sponsoring business desires to reach.
But now, let’s jump right in and get the step by step details on how to publish and sell your eBook as well as secure sponsorship. If you are reading this on our blog and wish to receive weekly updates on empowering your dealings as an ArtisticPreneur, be sure to sign up for the NYC Create Newsletter. Without further ado here are the steps continued from last week…
• In the last installment we spoke about doing merchandising. Hopefully you’ve come up with some good products. If not, please do so now. Just create a list of possible things.
• Clearly these items will be purchased by your fans which if you are a YouTuber that’s a great way to build the fan base to which you sell.
• If you do decide to become a YouTuber remember that even as a YouTuber you are offering a solution to solve the problem of the audience.
• Nurture and develop your audience either through an email list or YouTube channel.
• Even with just a handful of fans or viewers you can move on to an important step.
• You see, another stream you have available to you is through sponsorship. If as an artist you have built up a fan base which is a target demographic that corporations would like to reach, you can get free stuff from those sponsors.
• Getting free stuff means not having to pay for it which is saving you money which is much like earning it.
• You can get things that you need . For example if you are a painter you can get painting supplies. A musician can get music supplies, a filmmaker could get camera gear etc.
• Make sure you have a presentation to show the potential sponsors and be clear on what you want from them. You can also sweeten the deal for them by doing “product placement” in which during your YouTube show or email list you mention you are using their products and services.
• Sponsorships can take a while to land and can come about through emailing or if you’re brave, cold calling.
• Make sure when emailing you have something to link the reader to that is impressive and tells the sponsor how you have an audience that they will want to get their services and products in front of.
• Again, don’t expect immediate results, this can take time and several sessions with a potential sponsor.
• We’ve covered merchandising and sponsorship, so here is another unique way to create an income stream from your fans and clients: the making and selling of eBooks online.
• Making and selling eBooks online is a great way to bring in money from your art even if you’re not a writer. You can write about your art in a “How To” format and sell your work in the nonfiction area of Amazon.
• You can also offer these books on your ecommerce site.
• You will be successful doing eBooks in direct correlation to how well you are able to drive traffic to your eBook. Or more specifically, the RIGHT traffic. People who are interested in the solution you are providing.
• As we’ve mentioned in past installments, the easiest way to get targeted traffic is to pay for it. Facebook and Amazon for example can sell you targeted traffic.
• Make sure you figure out what your per customer acquisition cost is to determine if it is worth your while to pay for traffic. It should cost you considerably less than what you are selling the eBook for.
• As we’ve mentioned it is not always necessary to use Amazon to sell your eBooks. You could have an online store.
• And the great thing about having an online store is that you could sell someone else’s products.
• If you sell someone else’s products be sure to make an arrangement that you will take a percentage for all items you sell.