I have been drawing digitally for 5+ years and I have finally decided to open up commissions. Although most people like to emphasize the importance of social media presence before even considering to start out, I’m not of a fan of their rough algorithms and would like to skip this step.
So, where do I begin?
I already have an ArtStation set up and have created my ToS document. My portfolio is out there, but now I need to find the right audience, and platforms to advertise on. Any tips and tricks would be much appreciated.
#How do I start commissions without social media presence?
wary sequoia
astral dragon
?? I'm confused.
You can't advertise WITHOUT social media now a days, unless you are going to buy billboards and staple papers around your area asking for commissions?
"I would like to skip this step" so you're going to skip putting in all the effort, like millions of artists before you have done, and expect to get income from this?
You might get a few commissions from friends but seriously I don't see this working out long term. I used to do the same thing because I had no motivation and look at me now. I am fairly good at art, but I dont get any commissions.
If you want to be serious about this, you need to put in the work. It can't be done for you
jagged ivy
Unfortunately a social media presence is key.
Gotta put yourself out there, post your art consistently make sure its tagged properly, if you already have a backlog of art thats great! Post once a day
wary sequoia
I understand your confusion and I get that it may seem like I'm just trying to be lazy about it. That is not the case. I have tried for some time, and have noticed that what gets me the most engagement is fanart, but my main focus is a bit more niche and I can't really build my account around a fandom just to get some recognition. Follow count unfortunately doesn't equal client count. The most active social media users also tend to be teenagers with a smaller budget. Yes, putting yourself out there is indeed very important, but if I have to be realistic about it, even with a bigger following my chances of landing a job/coming across a potential client are thinner than going on freelance platforms, or something of the sort which gets you direct contact with people who are open to commissioning artists. Which is why I wanted to ask for advice, hoping to come across people who have went through this and have successfully landed a few jobs.
formal shore
Go to reddit and post your commissions in every art related and commission related subreddit, do the same with discord and facebook, search commissions jobs in devianart and artstation, post a lot in twitter, and instagram, make reels following trends.
The posting in reddit, facebook and discord, you have to do it at least once a week, don't expect anything for the first few months. Good luck.
astral dragon
I understand your confusion and I get that it may seem like I'm just trying to b...
then why do you think that not having an audience at all will get you jobs?
if your art is niche, then why do you think your sales will be high anyways?
contraty to what you said, follow count DOES equal client count. this goes for any job. if youre known for making a high quality product, and youre trusted in the community, people are more likely to choose you. why do you think ads go out of their way to say "most popular" or "most recommended"?
i dont mean to discourage you, but really the only way to make sales, especially in a business as lucrative as art, where jobs are already decreasing due to AI and such, you need a social media presence. you need to build an audience.
you say "but if I have to be realistic about it, even with a bigger following my chances of landing a job/coming across a potential client are thinner than going on freelance platforms, or something of the sort which gets you direct contact with people who are open to commissioning artists"
if you know this why are you even posting? it sounds like you know what you need to do already. you didnt ask for advice in what to say to these people or how to go about it, you just ask "how do i start commissions without social media" and then answer the question yourselfg
😭 im so confused