💰 My Artist Income + Sources in 2024 w/ Numbers & DATA!

Chris Piascik Podcast
30 Apr 202409:24

TLDRChris, a freelance illustrator since 2005, shares his successful journey, earning six figures annually through various revenue streams. He started with a daily drawing project, which led to commissions and eventually collaborations with major brands. In 2023, his income diversified with YouTube ads, an online shop, affiliate links, Skillshare, and sponsored videos. Chris emphasizes the importance of a varied illustration career and the unexpected benefits of content creation.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 Chris has been a full-time freelance illustrator for over 15 years, earning six figures annually.
  • 📈 He started his career as a graphic designer in 2005 and transitioned to illustration after losing his design job in 2009.
  • 📅 Chris initiated a daily drawing project in 2007, which helped him gain commissions and build momentum in his career.
  • 🏫 He diversified his income by teaching online classes, as an adjunct professor, and selling merchandise.
  • 📺 In 2023, Chris's YouTube channel became a significant part of his income, with ads being the largest revenue stream.
  • 🛍️ His online shop sales increased due to the support from his YouTube community.
  • 🔗 Affiliate links, such as Amazon and Retro Supply Co, contribute to his income, earning around $875 per month.
  • 🎓 Skillshare, where Chris has eight classes, brings in approximately $800 per month.
  • 🎥 Channel memberships contribute around $600 per month, with 109 members.
  • 🎨 Last year, Chris worked on roughly 25 illustration projects across various categories, emphasizing the importance of diversity in work.
  • 💡 The illustration industry can have significant variances in pay, with advertising projects potentially earning much more than editorial or publishing work.

Q & A

  • How long has Chris been making a living as an artist?

    -Chris has been making a living as an artist for the last 15 years.

  • What was Chris's initial career before becoming a full-time freelance artist?

    -Chris started his career as a graphic designer back in 2005.

  • What project did Chris start in 2007 that led to commissions?

    -Chris started a daily drawing project in 2007, where he posted a new drawing online each day.

  • How did Chris diversify his income sources after losing his design job in 2009?

    -Chris diversified his income by creating online classes, teaching as an adjunct professor, and setting up an online shop to sell prints, stickers, shirts, and other merchandise.

  • Which well-known brands has Chris worked with during his career?

    -Chris has worked with brands such as Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Adidas, Lego, and countless others.

  • How many books has Chris published?

    -Chris has published three books of his daily drawings.

  • What was the role of Chris's YouTube channel in his income in 2023?

    -In 2023, Chris's YouTube channel started playing a more impactful role in his overall income, especially through YouTube ads.

  • What is the average monthly income Chris earns from YouTube ads?

    -Chris earns an average of $1600 per month from YouTube ads.

  • How has the support from Chris's YouTube audience affected his shop sales?

    -The support from Chris's YouTube audience has helped increase sales in his shop, which were previously stagnant.

  • What is the average monthly income Chris earns from affiliate links?

    -Chris earns around $875 per month from affiliate links.

  • How many classes does Chris have on Skillshare, and how much does he earn from them monthly?

    -Chris has eight classes on Skillshare and earns around $800 per month from them.

  • What is the significance of having a diverse range of illustration projects according to Chris?

    -Having a diverse range of illustration projects is significant because it keeps income streams well-rounded and interesting, and it can help offset periods of slowness in specific industries.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Journey of an Illustrator: From Freelance to Financial Success

Chris, an illustrator, shares his 15-year journey from being a graphic designer to a successful freelance artist. He discusses how he started a daily drawing project in 2007, which led to commissions and eventually to losing his design job in 2009 due to the economic crash. This became an opportunity for him to fully commit to illustration. He expanded his income streams by creating online classes, teaching, and setting up an online shop. Over the years, he has worked with major clients like Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Adidas, and Lego. He has also published books and become a top teacher on Skillshare. Chris emphasizes that his success did not happen overnight, as he posted daily drawings for 14 years. He also shares insights into his YouTube channel's growing impact on his income, including earnings from YouTube ads, his shop sales boosted by his YouTube community, affiliate links, Skillshare classes, channel memberships, and sponsored videos. He provides a monthly income breakdown to give viewers a realistic view of his business model.

05:03

📈 Diversifying Income Streams: The Key to a Successful Illustration Career

Chris elaborates on the importance of diversifying his illustration work across various categories to maintain a successful and long-lasting career. He categorizes his projects into editorial, packaging, branding, advertising, entertainment, publishing, and other creative collaborations. He highlights the significant differences in income potential across these industries, with advertising typically offering higher budgets compared to editorial or publishing. Chris stresses the benefits of having a diverse range of projects, not only for financial stability but also to keep work interesting and engaging. He concludes by suggesting that a varied portfolio is crucial for illustrators to navigate the fluctuating demands of the industry and to maintain a steady income.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Freelance

Freelance refers to working independently rather than being bound to a particular employer. In the video, the artist mentions working as a freelance illustrator, which means he is self-employed and not tied to a single company. This allows him to take on various projects and clients, contributing to his diverse income sources.

💡Illustration

Illustration is the process of creating drawings, sketches, or visual representations to elucidate a text or concept. The artist in the video is an illustrator, and his work involves creating visual art for various clients such as Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and Adidas. His illustration work is the foundation of his career and income.

💡Daily Drawing Project

A daily drawing project is a commitment to create a new piece of artwork every day. The artist mentions starting such a project in 2007, which led to commissions and helped him build momentum in his career. This project showcases his discipline and consistency, which are key to his success.

💡Revenue

Revenue refers to the income generated from business activities. The video discusses various revenue streams for the artist, including YouTube ads, his online shop, affiliate links, Skillshare, channel memberships, and sponsored videos. Understanding these revenue streams is crucial to grasping the artist's financial success.

💡YouTube Channel

A YouTube channel is a platform where content creators can upload and share videos. The artist's YouTube channel plays a significant role in his content creation revenue. It serves as a platform for him to connect with his audience and generate income through ads, affiliate marketing, and sponsored content.

💡Affiliate Links

Affiliate links are special tracking links that allow content creators to earn a commission for sales made through their referrals. In the video, the artist earns money through affiliate links with companies like Amazon and Retro Supply Co. These links help him monetize his content without directly selling products.

💡Skillshare

Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes for creative and curious people. The artist has published classes on Skillshare, which contribute to his monthly income. This platform allows him to share his expertise and earn royalties from student enrollments.

💡Channel Members

Channel members are subscribers who pay a monthly fee to support a YouTube channel and gain access to exclusive perks. The artist has channel members who contribute to his income, demonstrating the value of community and fan support in content creation.

💡Sponsored Videos

Sponsored videos are content where a brand pays to be featured or promoted. The artist mentions having a few sponsored videos, which are a new income stream for him. These videos can be lucrative but are also a form of advertising, requiring a balance between sponsorship and content integrity.

💡Diverse Projects

Diverse projects refer to working on a variety of tasks or assignments across different industries. The artist emphasizes the importance of taking on diverse illustration projects, which helps maintain a steady income and keeps his work interesting. This approach also mitigates the risk of relying on a single industry's fluctuations.

Highlights

Chris has been earning six figures annually for the last 15 years as a freelance illustrator.

He started his career as a graphic designer in 2005 and transitioned to illustration in 2009.

His daily drawing project, started in 2007, helped him gain commissions and build momentum.

Chris diversified his income by creating online classes, teaching, and selling prints and merchandise.

He has worked with major clients such as Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Adidas, and Lego.

Chris has published three books of his daily drawings.

His YouTube channel has become a significant part of his income, especially from ads.

YouTube ads are his biggest income source, averaging $1600 per month.

His online shop sales have increased due to the support from his YouTube community.

Affiliate links earn him around $875 per month.

Skillshare classes contribute about $800 per month to his income.

Channel memberships bring in approximately $600 per month.

Sponsored videos have been less frequent but can earn between $4 to $500 per video.

Chris completed about 25 illustration projects in the last year.

His projects span various categories including editorial, advertising, and publishing.

Diversifying his illustration work across different industries helps maintain a steady income.

Advertising projects can be significantly more lucrative than editorial or publishing work.

Chris emphasizes the importance of variety in illustration work for a successful career.

He shares his experiences to provide a realistic view of what's possible in illustration and content creation.