Trying to make money as a freelance artist

Chipflake
15 Sept 201905:38

TLDRA college student struggling to save money for moving out considers freelance digital art as a flexible side job. Despite initial lack of customers and low self-esteem about their art, they persist, lowering prices and eventually receiving a big order. After completing the work, they face issues with payment and unreasonable requests for exposure instead of payment. The artist also deals with inappropriate commission requests and the challenge of balancing their passion with their need for income.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 A freelance artist struggles to balance college, driving lessons, and earning money for moving out.
  • 💡 The artist decides to offer digital art commissions as a flexible side job.
  • 📋 They initially set low prices for their work due to inexperience.
  • 📈 Despite creating a commission sheet and posting online, there is a lack of immediate response.
  • 🤔 The artist contemplates if the prices are too high or the quality of their art is not up to par.
  • 💰 After lowering prices, they receive a large order but face issues with payment and customer expectations.
  • 🔍 The artist sends progress updates and final work, strictly following a payment-first policy.
  • 😤 They encounter a client who expects work for free in exchange for exposure.
  • 😣 The artist, facing financial stress, reluctantly agrees to do the job for exposure.
  • 🤑 A client offers a tip, which is a new and appreciated experience for the artist.
  • 📚 As exams approach, the artist decides to prioritize studies over commission work.

Q & A

  • What is the main character trying to achieve by opening up for commissions?

    -The main character is trying to save up money to move out while maintaining flexibility in their schedule to focus on their college work.

  • Why does the main character initially price their art lower?

    -They price their art lower because they believe their art isn't that great and they are new to the commission business.

  • What is the main character's reaction when they don't receive any immediate responses to their commission sheet?

    -They remain hopeful, understanding that it might take some time for people to see their commission sheet and for the algorithm to push it into people's timelines.

  • How does the main character adjust their pricing strategy after not getting any customers?

    -They lower their prices further, thinking that maybe their prices were still too high or their art was not appealing enough.

  • What is the main character's experience with their first customer?

    -Their first customer orders a sketch for $10, and after some back and forth, they agree on a price of $70 for a more detailed piece.

  • What issue arises after the main character completes the first commissioned piece?

    -The customer does not want to pay for the unwatermarked version of the artwork, implying they do not want to pay for the work done.

  • How does the main character handle requests for work in exchange for exposure?

    -They refuse to do work for free, even when offered exposure through a customer's large following.

  • What kind of request does the main character receive that makes them uncomfortable?

    -They receive a request to draw an explicit and inappropriate scene involving a character and an ice cream, which they reluctantly accept for $50.

  • How does the main character feel about receiving a tip from a customer?

    -They are surprised and appreciative, as it is their first time receiving a tip for their work.

  • What decision does the main character make regarding their commission work when exams approach?

    -They decide to focus on studying for their exams, as they have not received any new customers and feel it is the better choice.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Struggling Artist's Commission Journey

The paragraph revolves around the narrator's endeavor to earn money through digital art commissions while managing college and other responsibilities. Initially, they set up a commission sheet with modest pricing due to their self-perceived skill level. Despite their efforts, they face a lack of response, leading to a reevaluation of their pricing. Eventually, they receive a large order and complete it, but are met with an issue when the customer refuses to pay for the final, unwatermarked version. They also face a dilemma when asked to work for exposure instead of payment, leading to a period of no new customers and financial stress. The paragraph ends with the artist reluctantly accepting a controversial commission for financial necessity.

05:01

📚 Student's Dilemma: Art vs. Exams

This paragraph depicts the internal conflict of the narrator who is torn between focusing on their art commissions and preparing for upcoming exams. Despite the lack of success in their art endeavors, symbolized by the continuous notification sounds with no actual orders, the narrator decides to prioritize their studies. The paragraph ends with a notification sound, implying a potential art-related opportunity or distraction, but the narrator's reaction is left ambiguous.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡freelance artist

A freelance artist refers to an individual who works independently, often taking on various projects or contracts on a per-job basis rather than being employed full-time by a single company or organization. In the context of the video, the protagonist is considering becoming a freelance artist to earn money while balancing college and other commitments.

💡commissions

Commissions are custom-made pieces of art that an artist creates based on a client's specific requests or ideas. In the video, the main character decides to offer commissions as a way to earn money on the side while attending college and managing other responsibilities.

💡pricing

Pricing refers to the process of determining the cost of goods or services. For freelance artists, pricing involves setting the value of their work in a way that reflects the time, effort, and skill involved. In the video, the character initially sets low prices but later adjusts them in response to a lack of customers and financial needs.

💡algorithm

An algorithm is a set of rules or instructions for solving problems or accomplishing tasks, often used in the context of digital platforms to determine how content is displayed or promoted. In the video, the character speculates that their lack of customers might be due to the online platform's algorithm not yet promoting their commission sheet to a wider audience.

💡progress pictures

Progress pictures are阶段性的图像，展示艺术作品或项目的各个阶段。在视频中，艺术家承诺为客户提供两次进度图片以供审批，这是在完成整个作品之前确保客户满意的一种方式。

💡unwatermarked version

The unwatermarked version refers to the final product or artwork that does not have any identifying marks, such as a logo or name, that was initially included to protect the artist's work from unauthorized use. In the video, the artist agrees to send the unwatermarked version of the artwork to the client after receiving payment.

💡exposure

Exposure in the context of the video refers to the visibility and reach that an artist's work can achieve, particularly through social media or other platforms. The character with a large following suggests that in exchange for the artist's work, they would provide exposure to their followers, implying increased potential for the artist's work to be seen and recognized.

💡scam

A scam is a fraudulent or deceptive act designed to cheat someone out of their money or possessions. In the video, the client questions the artist's request for payment upfront, suspecting it might be a scam, which reflects a common concern in online transactions where trust must be established before exchanging goods or services for money.

💡drawing montage

A drawing montage is a sequence of images or scenes that show the process of creating art, often set to music and used to convey the passage of time or the effort involved in the creative process. In the video, the protagonist's creation of the commissioned artwork is depicted through a 'drawing montage,' illustrating the intensity and duration of the work.

💡tips

Tips are voluntary, extra payments given to someone for a job well done, often in addition to the agreed-upon price. In the video, the client offers a tip as a gesture of appreciation for the artist's work, which is an unexpected and positive surprise for the protagonist.

💡content creation

Content creation refers to the process of producing various forms of content, such as artwork, writing, videos, etc., for the purpose of sharing online or elsewhere. In the video, the protagonist engages in content creation by producing commissioned artwork, which is a form of digital art.

Highlights

Balancing college and freelance work while seeking additional income.

The decision to pursue digital art as a side job for flexible hours.

Initial pricing strategy involves setting lower rates to attract customers.

The challenge of gaining visibility and customers online.

Adjusting prices in response to lack of interest from potential clients.

Receiving the first commission and setting clear terms for payment and progress updates.

The struggle of prioritizing between passion and financial needs.

Negotiating with a client who questions the pre-payment model.

Offering a discounted rate in exchange for exposure on social media.

The dilemma of working for free in exchange for exposure.

The emotional impact of not receiving payment for work completed.

The unexpected joy of receiving a tip for good work.

The internal conflict of taking on undesirable commissions for financial reasons.

The importance of focusing on studies over freelance work during exam periods.

The constant notifications of potential opportunities amidst a dry spell.