Whether you are a seasoned creative professional or just starting, monetizing your design skills can boost your income. With the gig economy continuing to expand and online platforms making it easier to find freelance work, there are ample opportunities for designers to make extra money. This guide covers multiple methods for profiting from your creative abilities.
Selling Your Design Services on Freelance Websites
Websites like Fiverr and Upwork provide excellent platforms for selling your services to a global audience. The steps below outline how to use these sites to start earning effectively.
Signing Up and Creating Your Profile
- Choose one or both platforms to create a detailed freelancer profile
- Outline your specialties, skills, experience level, education, etc.
- Upload examples of your best work to showcase your abilities
- Complete all account verification steps for the site(s)
- Choose appealing profile images to make a good impression
Setting Your Rates and Offerings
- Examine existing provider profiles that offer similar services
- Please take note of their packages/gigs and pricing structures
- Decide on competitive pricing for your offerings
- Consider your skill level, portfolios, and client demand
- Create detailed gig packages outlining precisely what’s included
- Offer upgrades and add-ons to enable upselling opportunities
Communicating Professionally and Delivering Great Work
- Respond promptly and politely to all client inquiries
- Clearly outline project requirements, timelines, revisions, etc.
- Provide regular updates to keep clients informed on progress
- Meet or beat all delivery time estimates
- Go above and beyond client expectations with your work
Pro Tip: Completing projects quickly, communicating effectively, and getting great client reviews help increase your visibility on freelance platforms. This leads to more job opportunities.
Monetizing Your Skills Through Online Creative Marketplaces
In addition to selling your time and services, consider earning passive income by allowing others to license and utilize your creative designs. Sites like Creative Market, PatternMaker, and Creative Fabrica enable designers to sell templates, graphics, illustrations, patterns, fonts, and more.
Preparing Your Digital Products
Before uploading your work, carefully format and organize your creative assets:
- Graphics: Save illustrations, icons, and images as PNGs, JPGs, and SVGs
- Patterns & Textures: Use high-res JPGs, PNGs, or SVG patterns
- Fonts: Properly package font families with requisite files
- Templates: Supply formatted PSD, XD, Figma, Canva, and AI files
- Add-Ons: Bonus elements like mockups, scenes, styles, brushes
Pricing Your Digital Goods
When valuing your digital products, take into account:
- Resolution, quality, and editing
- Unique styles, themes, and versatility
- Market rates for similar item types
- Your brand reputation and customer base
- Licensing terms and usage rights
Enabling extended licensing opportunities generally allows for higher pricing.
Uploading and Promoting Your Products
- Carefully tag products using relevant keywords
- Write compelling descriptions highlighting use cases
- Include detailed previews and sample images
- Market new offerings through social media
- Run occasional sales, bundles, and promotions
- Watch for opportunities to become a featured artist
Pro Tip: Building a diverse portfolio of high-quality products will maximize your earning potential. The more items you offer, the more passive income streams you can create.
Launching Your Own Freelance Design Business
In addition to monetizing through online platforms, Consider establishing your design consultancy focusing on contracted projects for various clients.
Creating Branding and Collateral
To appear credible and professional:
- Designed business cards, letterhead, invoices, etc.
- Launch a portfolio website showcasing past work
- Create profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter, and other networks
- Write an informative services page listing offerings
Reaching Out to Potential Clients
Actively pursue new business by:
- Networking at local events and industry conferences
- Running targeted social media ads
- Cold emailing/calling companies in your region
- Leveraging existing personal and professional connections
- Monitoring online job boards and applying for relevant RFPS
Delivering Projects Successfully
For each new contract:
- Clearly define scope, timeline, and budget expectations
- Outline agreement terms and payment schedules
- Provide frequent progress reports and draft previews
- Seek client feedback to ensure their satisfaction
- Wrap up with speedy final delivery and prompt payment
Pro Tip: Completing initial projects quickly and getting positive testimonials makes it easier to land additional work and scale up your consultancy.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
The demand for skilled designers continues to increase each year. Hopefully, this guide provided some valuable ideas for profiting from your creative talents in the exciting gig economy.
- Sign up for online freelance platforms.
- Prepare portfolios of your digital products.
- Polish up branding assets for a design business
- Start networking and hunting for clients
Finally, deliver excellent work that delights clients while also expanding your skills. This will ensure ongoing success as you leverage your artistic abilities to earn extra income. The possibilities are endless!
