New artists to the NSFW art scene might find it difficult to get NSFW art commission work.  Even after you upload your commission info (you have, right?), there seems to be nothing but silence.

Don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you’re a worthless artist. Rather, getting that first NSFW art commission is a matter of improving your chances.

Finding commission work for the first time can be difficult. However, getting that initial commission is a just matter of improving your chances. Click To Tweet

I won’t discuss art commission sites like artists&clients and sketchmob. Though they might be a source of work, I don’t think it’s worth the effort. They take fees, have an oversaturated market, and do nothing for your long-term growth.

Instead, I want to focus on a more active approach. Think of the veteran artist who seems to fill their commission slots in a blink. They’ve done a lot to build those connections and generate demand. Now, it’s your turn.

Keep Your Commission Info Upfront

Regardless of your social media platform, your commission info should be one of the first few things a visitor sees.

If you want to get work, that is.

I’ve noticed a lot of artists hide their art commission info in a linktree (link compiling website). It takes two clicks just to get to their info. That’s two clicks too many.

Make it easy to spot and access your commission info. Pin your post, if possible.

Your commission info is also your opportunity to impress a potential client with your best works. If you can’t fit it in your info sheet, link to a different page. For example, I have my main info on Twitter, with more samples on this website.

Some artists also changed their username/handle to indicate they have commission slots open.

What’s obvious to you might not be to me
One of my clients has worked with a good number of artists. When I asked him about artists who ‘hide’ their comm info, he told me he was hesitant to reach out to them. Maybe they just had it closed? Maybe they didn’t do commissions at all?

“Just ask!”, you might say. However, consider the perspective of your potential customer. They are:
– Worried about annoying an artist they look up to
– Unsure if they passed over the information somehow
– Concerned they might not have enough money after learning your prices
– Scared of being judged for the kink they want drawn

Clear and visible commission information minimizes these risks, making it easier to hire you. Remember, buying is as much about the experience as it is about the product.

Action Points
– Keep your commission info in sight at all times, so even a stranger can find it easily
– Showcase your best artwork on your comm sheet, so you can hook in clients. Formatting is important, use more image than text
– Use other available areas like profile description and name changes to advertise open slots

Constantly Promote Yourself

After you first post your commission info, don’t expect to be contacted by anyone right away. It’s awesome if that happens, but it seems to be the exception to the rule.

It’s tempting to give up and blame the fact that no one likes your art. However, from experience, it’s usually because your potential first client just hasn’t seen your commissions post, or doesn’t have the money. I’ve been surprised many times when a long-time follower I’ve never talked to messages to ask if I have commissions open.  

Get used to promoting your commission info. Link it whenever you post new artwork and include a call to action, a prompt that compels potential clients to take action. For example,

My commissions are open! Check out my pinned tweet, and message me now for your own slot.

 Of course, someone with 20 followers would do better to focus on building their audience than to blame their ‘bad luck’.

That said, I wouldn’t say there’s a minimum follower number to have before you open commissions. If anything, the earlier you start promoting yourself, the better. Here’s an article from Hubspot on how repetition can be helpful to compel buyers.

Action Points
– Include a call-to-action whenever you post your commission info
– Link your commission info whenever you release a new artwork to remind your followers you’re open for work

Upsell and Generate Demand

If you’re a newer artist, you can create demand by giving art away for free.

But Beats, people say you shouldn’t do art for free!

True, you shouldn’t do work for free. However, giving away art is a marketing move. You want people to become familiar with your works, so you can start widening your reach. Do you think artists hold raffles out of the goodness of their hearts? Many of the people who participate in raffles are also the people who commission art.

Besides, you don’t have to make detailed artworks. Consider doing sketch raffles that people can join after sharing the post and following you. After you deliver the sketch, you can then upsell.

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Upselling is a sales technique where a customer is invited to purchase a similar but more expensive product. In this case, you could mention to the raffle winner (or to participants) that your commissions are open. There’s a much higher chance they’ll upgrade it, netting you your first commission.

I don’t know if it was a conscious marketing decision, but many of my earlier artworks were requests. I came to understand that I could add more value to my art by drawing others’ OCs, rather than focusing on my art style.

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Action Points
– What are opportunities for you to make quick but relevant art? Do you have followers who like roleplaying, or maybe a fandom you’re in? Make quick art for them then upsell
– Comfortable with doing an art raffle? Awesome, it’s a great opportunity to promote your commission info

Cast a Tighter Net

Consistently sharing your commission info is good, but it’ll be a lot easier to find work if you’re actively engaging with people who need your work.

This goes back to what you draw. If you’re a furry artist, hang around in furry groups. Bondage artist? Bondage groups!

I like this approach because you’re no longer throwing stuff out hoping it’ll get noticed. Instead, you’re actively marketing to people with your resonance point.

Your Resonance Points
In my previous article about building your following, I talked about resonance points as the things both you and your potential followers enjoy.

Use resonance to guide your marketing and networking efforts, rather than tout your art as the main focus.

Inexperienced artists try to market themselves as all-around, drawing anything and everything. The problem with this is you aren’t speaking to a specific group. You cast your net so wide, fish are slipping out.

 As you probably know by now, I actively engage specifically with OC owners. I send them art that reminds me of their OC, ask them about lore, and involve them in my art process. These small things set me apart from other artists.

As a result, I’ve had no problem filling my commissions queue for more than a year now.

Cast a tight net and be the artist that comes to mind when someone asks “Hey, can you recommend someone for me?”

Why your first commission is the hardest one
Opening commissions is a milestone in any artist’s career. You’re moving beyond art as a hobby and accepting that your art has value.

It’s also very scary. You probably have a million worries racing through your mind. Are you charging too much, or too little? Does anyone actually want your art? Are you an imposter, after all?

If there’s any advice I’d give, it’s to separate your self-worth from your art. There are many reasons people don’t buy art, including reasons out of your control:
– Many art commissioners are paying out of their pocket and might like your art but not have the cash
– Someone might want to approach but be unsure of themselves (especially for kinkier content)
– Others might have wanted to commission after spotting you were open but forgot after a busy day
– Your style/content might not match their persona/branding

The more commissions you do, the more you’ll see that buyers are influenced by their own motivations and anxieties. The business-minded artist knows how to minimize those anxieties, and tap into those motivations to create more value.

Action Points
– Where is your target market hanging around? Start joining Discord servers or groups where you can share your art with them
– Figure out your resonance point, and think about how you can use it to market yourself as the right artist for the job
– Rather than depending solely on your art uploads, think about other ways to engage with your audience. Post ask memes, daily QnA’s, curiouscat doodles, and the like.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you see that getting your first commission is more about persistence and strategy. Ignore anyone who says your art by itself is good enough to get work and focus on getting your art out as much as possible.

To recap, keep your commission info visible so even strangers can see it. Pinned posts and banner photos are perfect.

Promote yourself when you can, like in your art post descriptions. Keep it low-key, while consistently letting others know you’re open for commissions.

Shift to a value mindset. Remember that your potential clients have their fears and motivations. Minimize their fears, and make art that fulfills their wants.

Finally, look for the groups that want your art. Actively engage with them, letting them know that you exist and are available for work. It’ll only be a matter of time until things line up for your first commission.

I hope the article helps you. Let me know when you get your first commissions!

Cheers, Beats