What new revenue streams should I consider when my art sales are slow?

Diversify aggressively - there’s no revenue source you shouldn’t consider as long as it’s legal. Open yourself up to commissions even if you haven’t before. Add a services arm: workshops, teaching, portfolio reviews, licensing, brand collaborations. Consider painting or photographing houses and selling to homeowners, doing pet commissions, or any creative application of your skills. Launch low-overhead teaching through membership platforms where you can charge $5-$100 monthly and teach skills in a walled community - you don’t need elaborate curriculum, just offer regular office hours or focused skill sessions. Downturns give you freedom to try things you’d never consider in good times. Email your list announcing you’re available for hire. The mindset shift alone can open up opportunities.

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Asked by artists seeking alternative income sources · Answered by Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2025-04-24