5 Fun Ways I Make Money from My Sketchnotes and Doodles
Art Crusade 14
This article was originally published on Medium July14, 2012.
Here are five ways that I have made money from sketchnotes(visual notes) and doodles. Most of these ideas have little or no cost to get started and are great ways to create passive income streams.
1. Print-on-Demand
When I’m doodling or taking notes, I will get excited about one of the creations and realize that it might work well on a product. This is where print-on-demand sites can help you turn your doodle into a t-shirt, mug, or many other products.
Print-on-demand sites like Threadless, Redbubble, and Tee Public are easy and usually free ways to get your work on a product.
I made a product design from a yogi that I drew in my Apple WWDC 2021 Keynote visual notes.
2. Sell Prints or Originals
People may want to buy a copy of your doodle or visual note.
If I create the original on paper, I scan the illustration and make prints or choose to sell the original.
If I create the original digitally, I can print copies or use a print-on-demand site to make prints or posters.
3. Freelance Illustration
Sketchnotes/ visual notes are a great way for companies and events to record ideas. I often get hired to cover events and draw what happens. The Apple WWDC Keynote is an event that I have covered for many years now.
4. Phone Wallpapers
Why not turn your doodles into a phone wallpaper? I made wallpapers from some of the doodles that I created during this year’s Apple WWDC.
I used Ko-Fi(more on them below) to create a shop. People could pay what they wanted to buy a collection of phone wallpapers.
5. Fan Support
A fun way that I monetize my art is by the kindness of art patrons. Sites like Ko-Fi, Buy Me a Coffee, and Patreon allow you to receive donations and monetary support from fans of your art. It is a digital tip jar.
Simply, create an account, share your doodles, and people can pay in one-off tips or you can create memberships for people to pay monthly.
These are five of the methods I have used to make money from my doodles. I’m sure there are countless more ways to make money. I hope you get inspired to explore one of these methods.Â
Keep doodling and drawing.
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