Are you thinking about opening commissions but not sure where to start, or struggling to get clients?
Maybe you’re wondering:
- How tf do I even get clients?
- Am I “good enough” to charge?
- What if nobody buys?!
I hear you. And I promise it’s way scarier thinking about starting than after you’ve started. At one point, even I thought it was impossible to make money as an artist myself until I actually started. Now I pay bills from art.
I’m not a genius. If I can do it, so can you.
The trick? You don’t need everything figured out before you begin. You just need a simple, repeatable process.
Here’s how to get going without overcomplicating it.
Step 1: Announce That You’re Open For Commissions
Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many artists never actually tell people they’re taking commissions. Don’t be shy – make it clear! Confidence is critical to selling!
- Add a link in your bio (even if no one clicks it at first)
- Post often (at least 2-3x a week, daily is better)
- Mention commissions at the end of posts at least once a week
- Drop the occasional/casual “BTW, commissions open!” in your captions and stories
Nobody can buy if they don’t know you’re selling.
Note: You can start offering commissions whenever, but I HIGHLY recommend you don’t start offering commission until you have at least a few hundred follows – it’s way easier with having some followers already. I wrote a guide on getting your first 1000 follows – read it here.
Step 2: Offer 5 Free Commissions (Yes, free.)
I know, I know. “Work for free??” But listen – this isn’t forever. And you really aren’t working for free. You give the “free” commission in exchange for a testimonial – and expierence!
Doing a few small, free commissions does 2 great things:
- You get precious experience and confidence working with clients
- You gain social proof i.e. validity from other people that you do good work
People are way more likely to pay you when they see others already have gotten good results from your service.
Introducing some scarcity (only 5 slots available) can also help drive demand. People are more likely to buy when there’s a limited amount of something.
Step 3: Start Charging Money (Low at First)
Once you’ve done a handful of commissions, open 5 new slots for a small fee – $5 a piece. Don’t complicate things with busts, waists, or full body. 5 bucks even.
The goal here isn’t to get rich yet. It’s to:
- To build your confidence – and get used to the feeling of being paid for your art
- Attract budget-friendly buyers who help build your portfolio – and gain experience
- Create a sense of momentum and demand – people love hiring artists who are already getting work
Step 4: Gradually Raise Your Commission Prices
Now every 5 commissions you get, introduce 5 new slots and bump up your price by 5 bucks (that’s $10 now btw).
Now every time you fill your 5 slots, increase the price by $5.
As you release new slots you can even point out that the next round “comms will be more expensive” and “join the waitlist” if they sell out – hopefully driving more urgency from prospective buyers. Keep doing this until you hit your target pricing. ‘
The 5-5 process makes it easier for you to:
- Build confidence charging for your work.
- Slowly attract clients willing to pay more.
- Stop second-guessing your worth.
By the time you hit your ideal pricing, you’ll have dozens of pieces backing up your experience, testimonials, and momentum.
Bonus Step: Target a Community
You can take commissions from anyone, but if you want to get work faster, focus on a specific community. People are way more likely to buy from an artist who understands their niche.
Love drawing D&D characters? Offer commissions in tabletop RPG groups. Obsessed with anime OCs? Tap into fandom communities. Huge on pet portraits? Find pet owner forums.
When your work aligns with what people are already looking for, getting commissions becomes WAY easier—because you’re offering something they already want. Instead of waiting for clients to magically appear for the art you love making, go where they are, and give them what they want.
It comes down to would you rather feed your ego or your bank account? Personally I like the latter cuz it buys groceries.
What If I Just Want to Charge Right Away?
Go for it. If you’d rather skip the free work and start with paid commissions, that’s fine. Just be realistic to where you are in your career – and with regard to your skill. Sometimes the biggest hurdle to selling your work is your skill level – if that’s the case btw I have loads of free in-depth art lessons from my live workshops with students in my online school, the Artforge.
Whatever feels right, but think about when you want a commission. Would you rather hire an inexperienced, unvalidated artist or someone with a more robust portfolio? The fastest way to get commissions might be to get improve your raw technical ability.
The Takeaway?
“Raise your price 5 dollars every 5 commissions until you’re rolling in it.“
You don’t have to wait until you’re “good enough” or have a perfect strategy. Just start. Your future clients aren’t going to magically appear – you’ve gotta get out there and start building your portfolio.
If nobody bites at first? That’s fine. Keep showing up. Keep sharing. Keep refining.
My first 3 art contracts back in 2016 I made about 5 dollars an image on each one. I was SEVERELY underpaid. Now, my last (and current) contracts are worth thousands of dollars. It happened to me. It can happen to you.
Now go prove your parents wrong and get paid for being an artist 💪