Episode 16: Alternative Ways to Make Money as a Designer

Show Notes for This Episode:

[1.00] This week we’re talking about how designers can make money outside of their regular client work
[2.00] Passive income isn’t necessarily that ‘passive’, but it means you’re not directly trading your time for money
[4.00] Additional income streams can be life-changing, from paying your bills to being your full-time living
[5.30] Side income streams often let you improve your skills for your regular work
[6.00] Ian started by simply releasing some products as an extension of his work (vintage logos)
[7.00] Passive income is doing the work upfront, and hoping you’ll get paid. Often when you don’t have time to take this risk
[9.00] This stuff is not easy, otherwise everyone would do it. It takes time and practice.
[10.00] Passive income is often more scalable than client work, as you can’t physically work more hours at a certain point
[11.00] Why passive income can help you to improve your skills
[12.00] Ian was responding to his audience’s requests for new products
[13.45] Learn to react to demand you’re seeing in your audience and on social media
[14.30] A quick fire look at many of the different ways you can make extra income as a designer
[16.00] Looking at how lucrative teaching courses around your expertise can be
[17.15] The importance of understanding the terms and fine print, if you’re working with third parties
[18.00] Learn to develop a core platform that you own, and use other third party sites as the spokes that hang off of this
[19.30] Selling physical products (looking at how Jo Fallon is starting to sell chalkboards – check out The Creative Journey Vlog)
[25.30] Selling tools/supplies for designers
[26.30] Selling your most popular designs on a third party site as a print, t-shirt etc…
[28.00] Sites that run competitions for designers (e.g.: pattern designers), with voting systems etc…
[29.00] How ads can still work for extra revenue
[31.00] Often providing content around how you created your product inspires people to just grab the product as a time-saver
[32.00] Why the listeners should be putting out content regardless of direct revenue
[34.00] Looking at some of the more successful social media platforms for designers to drive customers
[37.00] Understand who you’re selling to
[38.00] The importance of packaging up your products in an attractive way
[41.30] Using tutorial ideas to create a product
[42.30] The importance of distribution for your products
[44.00] Creating multiple bits of content around what you’re selling
[45.45] Jo, who does The Creative Journey Vlog is a great example of getting her business in front of a bigger audience via content creation
[48.00] Ian talking about Chris Spooner’s tip of giving stuff away for free
[53.00] The importance of providing great customer service
[55.00] There are tons of options available these days, but you just have to go out and try them!