How to Work as a Freelance Artist

Freelancing in 2020 was a roller coaster, to say the least. As businesses and clients reevaluated their finances, many contract and freelance opportunities came to a standstill, which led to many workers being laid off, getting their hours reduced, or having their positions eliminated entirely.

But being a freelance artist isn’t all bad. Fortunately, the gig economy has remained relatively stable compared to more traditional industries, such as retail and marketing. This unexpected stronghold has seen some growth as more individuals take their careers into their own hands.

Even during these challenging times, many freelance artists are thriving. Industries such as advertising, journalism, and design — for which independent and contract artists inarguably serve as backbones — have kept hiring freelancers.

Self-employed artists may continue to experience economic highs and lows as the economy begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. With that said, here’s a look at what being a freelancer means and how you can craft a stable career as an independent artist.

“A true gig job or gig worker job is … something short term [in which] they’re freelancing or they’re doing something on the side,” explains Paul Nichols, executive director of the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Texas at Dallas. “A lot of these types of jobs are jobs that people can cycle in and out of very quickly based on their schedule or their own needs.”

Simply put, being a freelancer is exactly what it sounds like — you choose what to work on and set your own hours. You’re essentially your own boss. Freelance artists and independent contractors can move from role to role while avoiding the hassles of conventional, salaried jobs. This sense of flexibility and entrepreneurship appears to be flourishing amid the pandemic.

To become a freelancer, you must find your niche, whether that’s writing, designing, or producing small art pieces. You need to identify what your biggest strengths are so you can tap into those skill sets and the relevant markets.

Once you’ve figured out your niche, it’s time to start advertising your services. Freelancers can use any avenue to market themselves, such as local directories and social media. The goal is to show others what you have to offer — and why you’re worth hiring.

As your marketing efforts gain traction, begin building up your client base. The strength of an artist’s client base often determines whether they’ll succeed or fail in a competitive market. If the work is good quality, satisfied customers can help strengthen your reputation through word of mouth, shout-outs, and referrals.

In the mix of marketing and building up a client base, any freelancer worth their weight will want to establish themselves as a legitimate business or entity. Doing this not only allows you to market your services as an actual business, but also lets you keep your finances and legal paperwork separate from your assets.

In today’s struggling job market, industries such as design and writing have benefited greatly from the gig economy. Freelancers have filled and will continue to fill roles that many companies view as either short-term gigs or long-term partnerships.

The pandemic has taken a toll on many workers, including freelance artists. Americans for the Arts found that nonprofit arts and cultural organizations have lost an estimated $14.8 billion in revenue since the pandemic took hold early last year. Nearly 880,000 art jobs are no longer supported, and 35% of artists and related workers have been laid off or furloughed.

The fine and performing arts are by far the hardest-hit creative sectors. According to The Art Newspaper, these two industries combined have lost about 1.4 million jobs — or half of all fine and performing arts jobs — and over $40 billion in sales.

Fortunately, it’s not all doom and gloom. Many freelancers and independent contractors are thriving in areas such as fashion, marketing/advertising, and communication.

Due to work-from-home policies, most companies and businesses have shifted to being either fully or partially remote. For a number of freelance artists, staying home is just like any regular business day. Some jobs have even benefited from the new emphasis on remote work: FlexJobs reports that certain creative fields, like gaming, have experienced growth due to their remote nature and the high demand for skilled professionals.

While the gig economy has no doubt suffered from cuts and layoffs due to COVID-19, it’s slowly begun to pick up steam again — some good news for self-employed creatives and small business owners.

According to FIU News, freelancing is poised to be a mainstay in certain art sectors, like design, entertainment, and media, due to the flexibility it provides. Freelancers Union executive director Rafael Espinal told Marie Claire, “We are in a period of time when the freelance workforce is regarded as ‘the future of work.'”

Still, as MIT’s Elisabeth Reynolds points out, freelancers and independent artists are often left defenseless against taxes and labor rights and benefits. “[Contract and freelance] workers are some of the most vulnerable workers in society when it comes to unemployment shocks,” Reynolds said.

As the gig economy grows larger, local, state, and federal governments will need to pass laws that support freelance artists and clearly define their roles and rights. New York City, for example, passed the Freelance Isn’t Free Act in 2016, while California passed the “Gig Worker Bill” in 2019.

Regardless of whether your city or state maintains any regulations on freelancing, it’s advised that you learn how to protect yourself from exploitation and underpayment as you pursue your freelancing career.

Editor’s Note: This article contains general information and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a professional advisor before making decisions about financial issues.

Feature Image: FluxFactory / E+ / Getty Images