How Online Platform Fees Work - The True Cost Of Running My Online Business

Let's talk about platform fees and how much it costs to run my creative business on my three main platforms: YouTube, Patreon and Etsy. I hope these numbers can give you some insight if you're looking to earn an income on these platforms too!

To help you make the most of your one month free trial of Skillshare, here are some classes that I think are a great place to start:
⭐Make A Living As An Artist by Brooke Glaser
⭐Drawing Is Important by Tom Froese
⭐Overcoming Burn Out by Chrissy Curtin
⭐The Busy Creative by Amandine Thomas
⭐Intro To Procreate by Brooke Glaser
⭐Intro To Digital Painting by Mimi Chao
⭐Become A Greeting Card Designer by Anne Bollman
⭐Roadmap to Getting Your Illustrations on Products by Anne Bollman
⭐Your Roadmap to Surface Design by Bonnie Christine

Use my link to start your own Etsy shop and get 40 free listings!

----

🥰 PATREON
Join my Illustration Club over on Patreon:
Browse the articles and videos available on my Patreon here:

🖌️MY BRUSH PACK! (Procreate & Photoshop)

🎨 ETSY
Find some digital illustration goodies over on my Etsy shop!

✨ Try TubeBuddy to help grow your YouTube channel:

💻 GEAR LIST
Find all the gear I'm using for digital illustration and Youtube here:

🖼️SHIRTS & PRINTS SHOP
Cute organic t-shirts, jumpers, totes, stickers and art prints, designed by me!

🌷 PRINTABLE PROMPT LIST 🌷
When you're stuck for something to draw you can download my prompt list for free or if you'd like to support me you have the option to pay what you like for it ♥

---

♥︎

*Some of the links provided in this description are affiliate links*

A big thank you to my partner for filming and editing this video!

00:00 Total Revenue
00:27 YouTube Breakdown
01:50 Patreon Breakdown
04:21 Skillshare Recommendations
05:43 Etsy Breakdown
07:38 Overview

[Ellary_Rosewood]

As a fellow artist trying to grow my YouTube channel and business so that I can support myself with my work, your videos have helped SO much. You inspire me to work hard for my dreams and remind me that I can make it happen. It's been such a treat watching your own journey and how quickly you've grown your business and channel! I always look forward to your videos! ❤

[BrookeGlaser]

Oh my gosh, that's ME! Thank you so much for featuring my class in your ad read, that was such a delightful surprise. <3 Just discovered your videos they are amazing!

[sketchingtheworldwithkat]

Great video and it was so helpful to see the break downs. I recently quit my Etsy shop because I wasn't making many sales there and the fee structure really did my head in (and I have a business degree!). I've switched over to Kofi because it's a flat fee. I think it's a much better platform for those of us starting out or if you aren't too focused on selling your art. I used to think they were just for having a "tip jar" but as well as being a sales platform, you can also have a patreon-like membership set up. Not wanting to sound like I'm working for them or anything but just think it's a great alternative to Etsy.

[SW]

Thank you for your straightforward explanation of the figures and how much you realistically earn from each revenue stream, and how much the fees are. It gives us who want to make a serious attempt at art as a career a better idea of what we need to navigate.

[freebeerishere]

This was super useful. Despite using Etsy myself I really don’t understand how it actually works… so thank you for explaining so much so clearly!

[Dardasha_Studios]

Usually it is not recommended for people to publish their earnings, but you do for the sake of teaching us. So thank you.

Very inspiring.

[sophiaisabelle]

You've been great at managing your time and priorities really well. We wish you all the best.

[luphrie]

This is so inspiring, I love to see artists get paid. Congrats on the numbers 🎉

[ChantelleArts]

this is really interesting! I've been considering etsy so It's interesting to know that the fees aren't too scary ❤

[rmclarke]

So generous and open of you to share these facts and figures. Thank you!

[friesfairy]

thank you for always being transparent about every part of your business, you a true business lady inspiration ✨💛

[jennymhulla]

Thanks for sharing this sight into your business 😍 would it be possible to get a video sometime in the future with a breakdown of the overall fees in your business? Platform fees, accountant, video editing, other fees. I know you've talked before about not wanting to tell us Dan's numbers, but it would be a mega interesting video 💃 no matter what you do you'll continue having my support! I cant wait to see what else you make.

[evamarwein]

Thank you for explaining this so easily. 💐💐💐💐

[_chetom]

I love how insightful your videos are ! Thank you for sharing this with us 🥰
I've been considering jumping to an online shop platform for set fees but my major drawback is all the information & tax stuff that Etsy takes care of for you; I wouldn't be sure on where to start and all other creators I've seen using their own websites end up referring specific buyers (such as EU & UK customers) to their Etsy alternative anyways! So not too sure how convenient they end up being in that aspect. Maybe if you're only hosting digital products then it's different as the charge is on VAT & customs on parcels & such. So not too sure!! Would love a video on your thoughts about all this 🧡

[DevonMeyersArt]

Thanks for sharing all of these Skillshare classes! I’ve been trying to navigate how to start my own business but it’s hard to figure out on my own 😅

[leleacrea]

Really informative video, thank you ✨🙏

[Ravennnchantel]

I'm still trying to open up my online store 😩 currently have digital planners and digital stickers. Idk if I should do more

[JuBenedettiArt]

Hi Mimi! Thank you for this amazing insight 😊 I'd like to ask you, which platform do you think is best for absolute beginners : patreon or kofi? Thank you!

[WedgyBlue]

What is the difference between digital illustrator and digital artist???
Can't decide which one I am.

[tanja-k]

Question, do you pay income tax on the % taken by the various platforms too? Or is the tax paid on just the funds you get to keep after the platforms take their %/share? In AU and curious 😅