one of mine is digital brushes, been using Fire Alpaca for almost 8 years and when i first started using it there was basicly no high quality custom brushes for the software...So ended up making some myself at first they were free but once i got better at it. I ended up selling packs.. released a set every month for over a year.. These packs generate money every week to this day. It's not much but it lets me take the future wife out to dinner or something every so often. which wouldn't be as affordable otherwise. great video as always even though i knew everything in it.
I'll list them for people who've watched the video and need a recap because I had to go back through it (if you haven't watched the video, watch it first): 1-Sell digital goods on Gumroad 2-Sell Kindles and print on demand books through Amazon or Comixology 3-Crowdfund a project on Indiegogo 4-Take on contracts or commissions 5-Make RUclips videos for ad revenue 6-Invest in the stock market 7-Invest in realestate + lower your cost of living 8-Sell T-shirts and mugs on T-Spring 9-Add affiliate links to your social media 10-Create and sell an indie game through Steam Thanks for the ideas, Trent. What I would add is that you can centralise access to everything you sell through a website, same for your crowdfunding and affiliate links with details of what to buy from the sites linked. Even if people don't go directly to the website, it's simpler to have one link where people who find out about you can find everything you have for sale than bombard them with a handful of links. They also might check something out when they were initially looking at another one of your products and decide to buy that too. When it comes to number 5, I'd add that if you feel like it you could also stream on twitch or youtube, but be ware of the algorithms at play that could ruin your channel if you stream and upload on the same channel. Twitch can be a good source of revenue if you know how to work it, and it helps bring you closer to your audience. For 7 I agree that many of us live in pretty expensive places for no good reason other than that's where we ended up and we never moved away. My rend is twice what it would be for the same surface had I moved back to where I grew up for instance, which is stupid and unjustified... For 8 there are other platforms for this, but if you are really proud of one of your designs, then the best way to sell them is scarcity. If you decide that every series will be a limited edition, and you announce it ahead of time, you can most likely completely sell out your stock on launch, or even do a pre-sales thing where you only produce the amount preordered, and that way you avoid losses in the same way you would have with on demande printing platforms, but have better odds of selling more. 10 is a bit too complex for most people, I think. It's fun to think about, and if you're really into creating games and have the time to learn how to create them or already do, then sure, but considering the time investment it represents I think it's not necessarily the most profitable. Cheers.
Greatly informative and honest video MY DUUDES. A tough thing many of us deal with is only worrying about making art and how someone or someplace will eventually hire us. A great time to discuss how to really maximize time and effort while making a living from it. Can't hate the hustle.
the barber joke got me hahaha. "I heard they pay you to move to Alaska" I immediately thought back to the Simpsons movie when they literally gave them money to stay in Alaska :D
Trent could you please explain further in a follow up video about how you planned the paper drawing and what all pens and brushes you used and also what to keep in mind for traditional pieces that are to be taken to digital?
You mentioned living somewhere where the cost of living can be cheaper- I actually live in México and around 90% of my clients are from the U.S, so I can pretty much just charge whatever I would normally charge living in the U.S. The cost of living in México is waay cheaper for a person that makes their income they way I do. Simply put, the rent here costs me around $150USD p/month. Round it up to about $200 if you count services like internet, water and electricity. Even after buying everything I need for the week, I get to save around 80-90% of my income.
Thank for talking about digital distribution. Please make an entire video on gumroad. That is where I am starting my art business journey. I will probably show you it one day once its made. That will take a while lol.
Some people do private commissions for people. You could post on different subreddits or discord servers. Or just find a job that is low stress and lets you draw in between tasks
Thanks for the useful insights and advice here and there. I spent my last months with building up new selling sources like a RedBubble shop, and it brought me nowhere. Partly because I spent too much time on single designs and their quality and didn't think of a good way to produce in quantity too, which led to a low production chain and absolute neglect by the algorithm and shop visibility. Customers as good as zero. I tried so many other things over the last months. Comic hosting sites, shipping sites. Every concept took much time for research and content preparation (and community/social media engagement), and in the end I lost against the dynamics of the algorithms again and again. Once you got punished for less activity, it's hard to get this limit penalty away. Nowadays, algorithms are involved everywhere. Always benefiting the established brands, smaller newcomers has barely a chance to get their content seen. I am in a position where I can't spend too much time on one big project anymore, because I would neglect my other unstable financial pillars this way, so it's hard to find a good balance between investing in new methods and keep the other small streams running, like my commissions. Many veterans recommend me not to sell fanarts by all means for food reasons. But still all my fellows from my niche community do it successfully. I think it's time to take the risks. I'm aware of them, but I'm also at my limit of energy and ideas as a small artist for alternatives, so I should at least also try this out. I know my demographics are out there, but it's really hard to get in touch with them when the majority of them are mostly on social media platforms, where the merciless algorithm is keeping you invisible. Giving up is not an option for me, but who knows how much energy I have left after all the failures. I hope all the endless trial and error will pay out some day.
Fantastic video as always! On the topic of RUclips, way too many people say they want to "JUST be a RUclipsr", and that's incredibly shortsighted and risky. Just like you've shown here, it's best to have multiple income streams, whether you're an artist, musician, or pretty much any kind of creative person. RUclips should never be your only focus, but so many people treat it that way. Even those that ARE already successful on RUclips (and I'm talking the big names on the platform) would be in trouble if anything changed for the platform that put their channel in jeopardy. Granted, if they are smart, they have already thought of this, and they have a community built around their brand that they can take elsewhere. I'm certain that's why you see things like Jacksepticeye launching his own coffee brand, and almost every big RUclipsr launching high end fashion lines in addition to the typical merch they already have. But that's my point, people who are just starting out need to learn to think like those that are already successful, and part of that is keeping RUclips as just one of many segments of your overall brand. Never rely on it alone, because if you do, you WILL regret it someday. Side note: It may be too much information, and I certainly would never expect you to give out actual numbers. But it would be really interesting I think to know what kind of percentage breakdown these different streams are as part of your overall income. Or perhaps which ones take up the biggest percentages overall. I have some general educated guesses, but it would be enlightening to learn more. I'm an artist that went to business school and majored in accounting of all things, so breakdowns like that always fascinate me lol. But if it's too personal, I totally understand!
You've made some smart choices! Most artists don't want to learn the business side, and thats why they struggle. As for the percentages, I can't be too specific and they would be very different for other people. For instance, a friend of mine makes %25 of his income from super chats and youtube ad revenue on his channel. But for me, RUclips and superchats are about 1 percent of my income. BUT my youtube channel raises awareness for my other products and services that provide a much larger percentage of my income.
Thanks for the video. Great advice. Youngins listen to the man. : ) I would like to know what kind of refillable paint pen that was you were using? Looked like a watercolor pen/brush?
Hey Trent what software you use to work on the illustrated book? Also can I also do my own comic and book as a side job while working with a regular job to pay bills. That is what I feel thinking of doing.
Hey trent where can I put my comic to show people and just to view for myself. I'm not done yet but I want to put the pages somewhere to see them side by side or something and also to show others. Any ideas, because I don't want to have to shrink them down then blow them up because I don't know how that'll affect the quality.
Great video as always Trent! Small question about Gumroad, how does it compare to Cubebrush in terms of costumer service and fees? I see you have both so I'm curious what you think!
When you make youtube videos, you start to notice what people click on, and begin to tune your content toward what the audience is gravitating toward. Its a dangerous thought process though, and some youtubers become very sneaky about getting clicks. Thats the dark side and it requires a sense of balance and self awareness.
Struggling with self doubt the last weeks. I am working for a small independent comic publisher. But asking myself often if it isn´t easyer to make a career as an illustrator? Do you have any advice? Thanks!
Well the primary revenue stream of many millionaires at least in the States is the US taxpayer and the workers that work for said millionaires companies
I understand why you would believe that if you listen to the wrong sources. But the majority of millionaires in the US are 1st generation 401k millionaires. Meaning that they make their money because they don't spend it, they invest it in long term stable growth markets over their lifetime. Patience pays off.
@@TrentKaniuga true. I most definitely think it’s way more complicated then that, and I have a feeling we would fundamentally disagree on economics ,and how much of a meritocracy the American system actually is but I appreciate you as a human and I enjoy your videos. I couldn’t agree with you more on multiple incomes. One needs ton protect themselves in these financially unstable times
Thank you. You can listen to me read "The Beast of Tuksa", and "Escape From Giant's Crown" on my other youtube channel. Also you can play Final Fight Streetwise if you would like to hear my voice acting.
Just out of curiosiity, does anyone know a person who is excellent in both the arts an the sciences (and isnt necessarily a dabbler to a certain degree?)
@@TrentKaniuga I hadn't seen that in my research. It makes sense though. That market seems unstable. Plus it can cost a pretty penny to upload an nft with no promise of a return.
![Gunna - HIM ALL ALONG [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/w7Wf0h1Q8a4/mqdefault.jpg)
one of mine is digital brushes, been using Fire Alpaca for almost 8 years and when i first started using it there was basicly no high quality custom brushes for the software...So ended up making some myself at first they were free but once i got better at it. I ended up selling packs.. released a set every month for over a year.. These packs generate money every week to this day. It's not much but it lets me take the future wife out to dinner or something every so often. which wouldn't be as affordable otherwise. great video as always even though i knew everything in it.
I'll list them for people who've watched the video and need a recap because I had to go back through it (if you haven't watched the video, watch it first):
1-Sell digital goods on Gumroad
2-Sell Kindles and print on demand books through Amazon or Comixology
3-Crowdfund a project on Indiegogo
4-Take on contracts or commissions
5-Make RUclips videos for ad revenue
6-Invest in the stock market
7-Invest in realestate + lower your cost of living
8-Sell T-shirts and mugs on T-Spring
9-Add affiliate links to your social media
10-Create and sell an indie game through Steam
Thanks for the ideas, Trent.
What I would add is that you can centralise access to everything you sell through a website, same for your crowdfunding and affiliate links with details of what to buy from the sites linked. Even if people don't go directly to the website, it's simpler to have one link where people who find out about you can find everything you have for sale than bombard them with a handful of links. They also might check something out when they were initially looking at another one of your products and decide to buy that too.
When it comes to number 5, I'd add that if you feel like it you could also stream on twitch or youtube, but be ware of the algorithms at play that could ruin your channel if you stream and upload on the same channel. Twitch can be a good source of revenue if you know how to work it, and it helps bring you closer to your audience.
For 7 I agree that many of us live in pretty expensive places for no good reason other than that's where we ended up and we never moved away. My rend is twice what it would be for the same surface had I moved back to where I grew up for instance, which is stupid and unjustified...
For 8 there are other platforms for this, but if you are really proud of one of your designs, then the best way to sell them is scarcity. If you decide that every series will be a limited edition, and you announce it ahead of time, you can most likely completely sell out your stock on launch, or even do a pre-sales thing where you only produce the amount preordered, and that way you avoid losses in the same way you would have with on demande printing platforms, but have better odds of selling more.
10 is a bit too complex for most people, I think. It's fun to think about, and if you're really into creating games and have the time to learn how to create them or already do, then sure, but considering the time investment it represents I think it's not necessarily the most profitable.
Cheers.
thats me.
Greatly informative and honest video MY DUUDES. A tough thing many of us deal with is only worrying about making art and how someone or someplace will eventually hire us. A great time to discuss how to really maximize time and effort while making a living from it. Can't hate the hustle.
the barber joke got me hahaha. "I heard they pay you to move to Alaska" I immediately thought back to the Simpsons movie when they literally gave them money to stay in Alaska :D
Trent could you please explain further in a follow up video about how you planned the paper drawing and what all pens and brushes you used and also what to keep in mind for traditional pieces that are to be taken to digital?
Thats in my "Making Comics" workshop. www.gumroad.com/trentk
That Back Ally Barber conjured some visuals. Thanks for the laugh Trent you made my day with a chuckle
You mentioned living somewhere where the cost of living can be cheaper- I actually live in México and around 90% of my clients are from the U.S, so I can pretty much just charge whatever I would normally charge living in the U.S. The cost of living in México is waay cheaper for a person that makes their income they way I do. Simply put, the rent here costs me around $150USD p/month. Round it up to about $200 if you count services like internet, water and electricity. Even after buying everything I need for the week, I get to save around 80-90% of my income.
Thank for talking about digital distribution. Please make an entire video on gumroad. That is where I am starting my art business journey. I will probably show you it one day once its made. That will take a while lol.
You´re my biggest inspiration dude, big idol for my future
Thanks for the vid; was looking for more income options. Currently engaged in #6 and #8 with hopes of expanding.
Good advice here. I have like 4 or five income streams
can you specify which ones if thats ok :)
A street performer barber somehow has an illustration in it somewhere.😀Thank you Trent for the insights and advice!
The humble Trent made a full video tutorial on how to stay humble
WOW! B/W is such a lost art at this point, so nice to see someone who knows their stuff!!
Man you are really great artist + great businessman. I really love this video ypu have tell the main thing thank you man really keep it up
Idk how viable it would be, but I'm planning on looking for easy part-time work while I slowly build up my online presence.
Some people do private commissions for people. You could post on different subreddits or discord servers. Or just find a job that is low stress and lets you draw in between tasks
Thanks for the useful insights and advice here and there. I spent my last months with building up new selling sources like a RedBubble shop, and it brought me nowhere. Partly because I spent too much time on single designs and their quality and didn't think of a good way to produce in quantity too, which led to a low production chain and absolute neglect by the algorithm and shop visibility. Customers as good as zero. I tried so many other things over the last months. Comic hosting sites, shipping sites. Every concept took much time for research and content preparation (and community/social media engagement), and in the end I lost against the dynamics of the algorithms again and again. Once you got punished for less activity, it's hard to get this limit penalty away.
Nowadays, algorithms are involved everywhere. Always benefiting the established brands, smaller newcomers has barely a chance to get their content seen. I am in a position where I can't spend too much time on one big project anymore, because I would neglect my other unstable financial pillars this way, so it's hard to find a good balance between investing in new methods and keep the other small streams running, like my commissions.
Many veterans recommend me not to sell fanarts by all means for food reasons. But still all my fellows from my niche community do it successfully. I think it's time to take the risks. I'm aware of them, but I'm also at my limit of energy and ideas as a small artist for alternatives, so I should at least also try this out. I know my demographics are out there, but it's really hard to get in touch with them when the majority of them are mostly on social media platforms, where the merciless algorithm is keeping you invisible. Giving up is not an option for me, but who knows how much energy I have left after all the failures. I hope all the endless trial and error will pay out some day.
As an Alaskan I can say that it is a great place to create art but the internet isn't great. You have to be in town to have a decent connection
I feel like that's a plus since nowadays many artists got too attached to too many Internet influences
Are you excited about Starlink? Ive heard that you will be able to use internet anywhere in the world.
Awesome financial advice all artists need to hear! Thanks for spreading the good word on this topic, Trent
Rock on Trent!
Very inspiring video thank you so much ! I am actually so amaze at the variety of all of these it sounds like tons of work that's very impressive !
Fantastic video as always! On the topic of RUclips, way too many people say they want to "JUST be a RUclipsr", and that's incredibly shortsighted and risky. Just like you've shown here, it's best to have multiple income streams, whether you're an artist, musician, or pretty much any kind of creative person. RUclips should never be your only focus, but so many people treat it that way. Even those that ARE already successful on RUclips (and I'm talking the big names on the platform) would be in trouble if anything changed for the platform that put their channel in jeopardy. Granted, if they are smart, they have already thought of this, and they have a community built around their brand that they can take elsewhere. I'm certain that's why you see things like Jacksepticeye launching his own coffee brand, and almost every big RUclipsr launching high end fashion lines in addition to the typical merch they already have.
But that's my point, people who are just starting out need to learn to think like those that are already successful, and part of that is keeping RUclips as just one of many segments of your overall brand. Never rely on it alone, because if you do, you WILL regret it someday.
Side note: It may be too much information, and I certainly would never expect you to give out actual numbers. But it would be really interesting I think to know what kind of percentage breakdown these different streams are as part of your overall income. Or perhaps which ones take up the biggest percentages overall. I have some general educated guesses, but it would be enlightening to learn more. I'm an artist that went to business school and majored in accounting of all things, so breakdowns like that always fascinate me lol. But if it's too personal, I totally understand!
You've made some smart choices! Most artists don't want to learn the business side, and thats why they struggle. As for the percentages, I can't be too specific and they would be very different for other people. For instance, a friend of mine makes %25 of his income from super chats and youtube ad revenue on his channel. But for me, RUclips and superchats are about 1 percent of my income. BUT my youtube channel raises awareness for my other products and services that provide a much larger percentage of my income.
Love how Indie go go sounds like a music genre😂. Btw do you have an art community discord?
He does, that was in the description. Here discord.gg/vvAQpRA
Trent's such a badass
Thank you so much for this video!! Great advice :)
Could you do a tutorial for SHADOW SHAPES? I love comic style like this, I just have a huge problem putting a good shape for the shadow.
Yeah, that would be awesome!
Either that or the De Vinci style heb used in his art journals. Those sketches were awesome. 😂
Good night bruddas
Thanks for the video. Great advice. Youngins listen to the man. : ) I would like to know what kind of refillable paint pen that was you were using? Looked like a watercolor pen/brush?
The only way i see everyone starting to hate on you would be if someone with influence decides that you should be cancelled for some random reason.
and I can't think of a SINGLE reason that would happen! :)
👊😎 Yes..!!
Hey Trent what software you use to work on the illustrated book? Also can I also do my own comic and book as a side job while working with a regular job to pay bills. That is what I feel thinking of doing.
Doesn't he use Photoshop?
Hey trent where can I put my comic to show people and just to view for myself. I'm not done yet but I want to put the pages somewhere to see them side by side or something and also to show others. Any ideas, because I don't want to have to shrink them down then blow them up because I don't know how that'll affect the quality.
Some good sites are DeviantArt or Tapastic
Play your funky old-school trumpet intro for money XD
Great video as always Trent! Small question about Gumroad, how does it compare to Cubebrush in terms of costumer service and fees? I see you have both so I'm curious what you think!
Watched a video discussing this topic by took pantoja, and now you too ^^ though, dont you have to meet certain requirements to have affiliate links?
4:05 did you realise you painted the moon onto the BG and make a new layer for the dragon because you didn't want to make the same mistake?
Now I am one of those guys! *Turns into a Skeksis* xD
Do you use any references for concept art? (For inspiration, materials, or pose...etc)
only on the good ones
How do these artist RUclipsrs always know what my doubts and curiosity are?
Are you guys psychic or something
i think it's because we are all humans and we have for many of us the same problems and doubts
When you make youtube videos, you start to notice what people click on, and begin to tune your content toward what the audience is gravitating toward. Its a dangerous thought process though, and some youtubers become very sneaky about getting clicks. Thats the dark side and it requires a sense of balance and self awareness.
I love your humor sir, haha
Struggling with self doubt the last weeks. I am working for a small independent comic publisher. But asking myself often if it isn´t easyer to make a career as an illustrator? Do you have any advice? Thanks!
How's it going now? I'd kill to work for an indie comic publisher. If you leave, tell them you have your replacement already, and look me up.
I also do cool edits in photoshop
Are some type of Wizard good sir
My mind was just on this hmmmmm Idk your a true Wizard good sir
What type of pens was he useing at the beginning
I remember once you mentioned that you don't recommend going the fiverr route. Are there any platforms you would recommend for over it?
That's funny I live in Alaska and yeah you do get paid to live in Alaska
You know they say millionaires have multiple revenue streams.
Well the primary revenue stream of many millionaires at least in the States is the US taxpayer and the workers that work for said millionaires companies
I understand why you would believe that if you listen to the wrong sources. But the majority of millionaires in the US are 1st generation 401k millionaires. Meaning that they make their money because they don't spend it, they invest it in long term stable growth markets over their lifetime. Patience pays off.
@@TrentKaniuga true. I most definitely think it’s way more complicated then that, and I have a feeling we would fundamentally disagree on economics ,and how much of a meritocracy the American system actually is but I appreciate you as a human and I enjoy your videos. I couldn’t agree with you more on multiple incomes. One needs ton protect themselves in these financially unstable times
I know you said you cannot share numbers, but what would you say bring the most income? Would it be the Art Studio and clients or the other stuff?
Investing
@@TrentKaniuga interesting, never would have guessed!
niiiiiiiice but i wish seing your voice acting soooon . love your voice it will be cool for book reading...or characters voice ...
Thank you. You can listen to me read "The Beast of Tuksa", and "Escape From Giant's Crown" on my other youtube channel. Also you can play Final Fight Streetwise if you would like to hear my voice acting.
@@TrentKaniuga thnks first for replying ... i will listen to what you did recommend sson ....i wish the best for you...
Just out of curiosiity, does anyone know a person who is excellent in both the arts an the sciences (and isnt necessarily a dabbler to a certain degree?)
👍✨💫
hhhhhhhhhhhh liked when you said weee hate trent hhhhhh
Trent, do you use Lazy Nezumi?
I use Lazy Kanoogs
I’m screwed
I also do cool edits in photoshop
@@magicphotoshop5193 ?
Hey Trent, what do you think about digital art NFT trend?
Have you heard of non fungible tokens?
Isnt that the thing that all those people lost money on?
@@TrentKaniuga I hadn't seen that in my research. It makes sense though. That market seems unstable. Plus it can cost a pretty penny to upload an nft with no promise of a return.