My Strategy To Make $12,000 a MONTH as an ARTIST

Massive disclaimer-- I don't make these small business income videos to brag or to flex, but as a resource! I think pay transparency is important in the creative industry. Also, these figures are before taxes and expenses, this isn't my take-home pay lol (I wish)

Last year my whole internet artist career/small business thing REALLY took off, and I made $60k in revenue. This year, I think it's totally doable to double that and then some. *My goal for this year is to make about $150k in revenue, before any taxes or expenses.*

I think my $150k revenue goal is totally doable. In fact, I wouldn't be at all surprised if I ended up making more than that this year. I have a lot of stuff planned for this year, from print collections, online courses, a second channel, there's a LOT going on.

"but, but kelsey!!" you might say, "only a fraction of this revenue is through direct art sales!" why yes, it is! that's kinda the whole point!! I enjoy making art, I like making educational YouTube videos, and both are things I'm good at! If I can make a living doing both, why shouldn't I? You can take or leave my advice if it doesn't apply to you, this is all just my opinion and perspective.

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📖 RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS

⚙️ GEAR & FURNITURE ⚙️ *referral / affiliate links*

* Referral or affiliate links in this description allow me to gain a small commission off of any purchases you make through the link, at no extra cost to you. It's a great way to support the channel :)

[ssavaart]

Love that you're planning for this and I hope you exceed all of your dreams this year.

[cold]

I've been a freelance illustrator for around 10 years, but mostly i was waiting for clients to find me and kept refusing jobs because i felt i wasn't good enough to make people pay for my art. I earned basically nothing (i'm lucky i live in a place for free and just pays for food) and procrastinated all day. I felt like i had to find an "actual job" because this was going nowhere, and mostly just because of me. All day i was drawing comics and post them online (for free) and that made me the happiest but i needed to get money at some point! Last year i saw one of your videos talking about your plan for the year, and i took your notion board (i didn't know about notion, i LOVE IT now and use it for everything!) and i don't know, it's like you finally convinced me that i would be able to live properly as an artist. I was stuck in my head thinking whaterver i do it'll be useless, but you motivated me (after 10 years!) to finally actually try. I participated in a comic contest last year, i won a little price (moneyy 😊) and i got noticed by a company thanks to it! we're talking about a long term contract now. It just boosted my confidence and gave me hope for the future.
Thank you so much for the efforts you put by making your videos. I binge watched you channel last year and keep watching every new video. I'm glad it gives you an income and promotes your art while giving us actual good advices!
This year, wether i'm signing with this company or not, i have goals to earn more, diversify my sources of income and promote my art better !
Thank you !! 💖

[krysaradraws]

I love how transparent you are, I love seeing analytics and income growth, I feel like it’s super taboo to talk money socially because it brings up lots of resentful behaviors or patronizing superiority but it’s inspiring to just hear other peoples goals and experiences.

[victorialovinggood]

I feel like people get a bit upset that you aren't posting more art, but man, you're doing a good thing here.

For those of us not complaining, your advice really helps and it is hard to find ANYWHERE else! Thank you for making these types of videos.

[safegourd]

I think a powerful aspect of planning is sharing your plans with your audience, like you do in this video. For one thing, it keeps you accountable to follow through. It's also a very effective marketing strategy — as someone who loves your channel and your art, seeing your goals laid out like this makes me want to spend money on your business! Good luck Kelsey, I can't wait to see what 2023 brings to your art career :D

[blubat_]

I don't have a small *art* business, but your videos are always encouraging and overall enlightening for the small business I do have! I work with a lot of artists (for comic editing and publishing) and I always like to share your videos with them just because you make success feel a lot more tangible and accessible. It always sucks to hear the constant woes of not being able to make a living off art/creative ventures/freelance but I'm glad that you're out here not only encouraging people but also showing how they can do it.

[kalilavalezina]

Thanks Kelsey, keep going from strength to strength! I know you can reach your goals!

[supertredel]

I love how transparent you're being with everything, its super helpful and its not something many people do. I hope you reach and surpass your goal!

[satmolly]

I'm 31 w/ a college degree, making minimum wage & it seems impossible to be able to afford a house.
I can't even afford healthcare. I go through periods where I want to give up building a successful career for myself. Sorry, not trying to bum anyone out lol. I mean to say this because I often feel hopeless but Kelsey's videos have really been making me feel less alone, like it really is possible to have stability as an artist. I gave up finding work for years until I discovered art youtube and now something in me feels like it's changed. We'll see tho. I joined the discord so maybe I'll meet more ppl like me there :)
Thank you for encouraging others!

[annadreamsart]

Kelsey, thank you for all the help you give us. I'm so proud of you and how far you've come so quickly. You were determined and did it. It's amazing!

[ratthina]

I am literally going to pick up my ipad and PLAN my unborn art business RIGHT NOW. You are incredible girl.

[creativelychrissy]

Thanks for making this video, Kelsey! I made my own plans for this year, and I definitely agree. Planning is super helpful, and I think it’s okay to reach for something that…maybe you aren’t sure about. I hope to be monetized this year, and while there are some days that I definitely think it’s doable, I have times where I worry about it a little. But ultimately, it gives us something to work towards. We can’t control directly how much money we make as creatives when it comes to certain things, but we can plan and do the things that make it more likely that we will achieve our goals.

I think you’ll definitely achieve what you’re setting out to do here! Congrats on how far you’ve made it, and that’s a great thing to do for your sister! ❤

[ATravelerOfWorlds]

Kelsey, you're the only art channel so far that've convinced me it's possible to make a living, and a good one at that, from starting an art business and pursuing my dream. Thank you!

[marceljaudian]

You're doing awesome, Kelsey! I've learned so much from you. Looking forward to your success!

[JRose-zkni]

Hello Kelsey!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us all 🙂 I also want to thank you for suggestig the book The 30-Day Sketchbook Project! I am on day 5 and LOVING IT!! I have wanted to learn to draw for some time now but have always believed that you had to be born with that talent. I would always look at drawings of other people and would always feel that it's just out of my reach. It wasn't until a co-worker of mine and you started to make me feel as though it was possible to learn to have the EYE of a sketcher or painter or whatever. I'n now realizing that there are no boundaries. I was always so quick to criticize a piece of my own work instead of relaxing and letting whatever flows flow. So really, thank you making me aware of this book!! I really feel like I'm on another creative journey this year! I know you will reach your goal of sales Kelsey - I have no doubt about it !! You are a wonderful artist!!

[aohamer]

Hell yeah, you go girl! 👏🏾 You can do it! Just stay focused and silence the external and internal haters ✨️

[rose]

By far my favorite and most inspirational art channel, I love what you’re doing and I’m always excited to see you posting <3

[kristianacukaj]

Thank you Kelsey, for everything you share in your channel! You are truly inspiring and the way you put it, everything feels more duable . I just wanted to let you know that You have convinced me to start my own Art Youtube channel! Keep shining and all the best of luck! Kristi

[scribzscribbles]

Really hoping you get all of this! I am hoping to get monetized this year to really make art my career and your channel has motivated me and inspired me in general and I love watching your videos! They feel very comforting!

[MintyMido]

Thank you for another inspiring video Kelsey!! you really motivate me and help me to believe in my ability to pursue art as a career! I got Notion last year because of you and seeing yours again, I have new ideas to revamp it so it can be a more useful tool to me as I try to grow my YouTube channel and find other income streams. I love your videos and your perspective so much and appreciate your hard work!