I wish I could raise my prices, but it feels like I can’t justify it right now..

You might’ve felt that way, slugging away at commission work. All the while wondering if you could’ve charged double or even triple.

I definitely felt that way when I used to charge a teeny $40 for a finished commission artwork. Now, I charge $400 for fully rendered illustrations.

So how did I x10 my price?

Want to x10 your freelance art prices? Ask yourself these questions, so you can evaluate and start building the confidence needed to get that sweet paycheck. Click To Tweet

After years of doing commissions, I’ve learned that being a freelance artist requires both confidence and skill. I could’ve x10 when I was a beginner, but my skills wouldn’t be enough to convince anyone to commission me. Nor would I have had the confidence to believe I deserved to charge that high.

If you want to start raising your freelance commission prices, here are some questions you can ask yourself to build the confidence needed to raise them prices.

Who are your art inspirations, and why do you think their art is valuable?

Having artists you look up to is essential for improving. Not only will you have a basis for pricing, but you’ll also raise the standard for your art.

Whenever I find myself drawn to an artist, I ask myself why. Do they capture mood well? Does their art have extraordinary depth? Is their mark-making simple but impactful?

• 

• 

Then, study their technique and bring it into your own art.

This exercise is two-fold. Not only do you improve as an artist, but you also increase your self-confidence as you take from the people you look up to. I personally don’t think you can improve greatly without studying others. Steal techniques, styles, lessons, and habits whenever you can.

• 

• 

Who are the artists you look up to? What draws you to their art? Let me know by commenting below.

What business strategies can you use to justify your pricing?

Since most of us are NSFW artists, it’s hard to let “the work speak for itself”. Our followers go through hundreds of artworks a day, so it’s essential that you differentiate yourself from the sea of artists.

What are you known for? What do art commissioners go to you for? Do you consider psychology and branding when setting prices? Are you including call to actions in your posts?

• 

• 

These are just some of the strategies you can use to stand out. Not a lot of artists consider business fundamentals, after all. There is a lot you can do on this front:

• Branding
• Marketing
• Pricing psychology
• Visual design
• Client relations

I know it’s overwhelming. I remember sitting down a few years ago and googling “how to market myself as an artist”. The Business of NSFW blog didn’t exist yet, and I was still a beginner freelancer.

From there, it was a matter of learning and improving 1% a day.

Here are some resources to get you started (that also helped me throughout my freelance career):

• The Futur (Business of Design YouTube Channel)
• Hubspot Marketing Blog
• The E-Myth Revisted Book
• The Abundant Artist
• Ego is the Enemy

As always, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter or email if you want to talk about where your freelance career is at. Let’s get you those wins!

Are your art skills strong?

Though I believe newer artists shouldn’t let their art skill stop them from freelancing, improving your skills is a must if you want to raise prices into the hundreds range.

• 

• 

I know a few artists who complain about posting art for years, yet barely getting commissions or followers. It’s hard to console them when I see their art looks the same throughout the entire time.

Even with the best branding, positioning, and connections, you still need to give your client their money’s worth. That means continuously improving your art.

This ties in with tip #1. What are your art inspirations doing that you can’t? How are their art foundations better? Great, now that you know, it’s time to get to work.

Em Says: Not sure where to start? Check out Sycra’s Art Fundamentals video!

Are you promoting yourself enough?

You’ve got the prices, the brand, and the art down. Now it’s time to let the world know what you’re up to.

A lot of artists think it’s enough to slap a “Commissions Open” in their bio. Though that might get you work once a month, you’ll need to market yourself constantly if you want a steady stream of commissions. It’s all about keeping your brand relevant and fresh on the mind.

• 

Consider every bit of your online activity. How does it come together to direct your followers to become clients? Are you connecting with them, and showing how your art can solve their problems?

There’s a lot you can do to market yourself, which is why I’m putting it all together in my upcoming book, Beginning NSFW Freelance. If you’re an artist who want to start freelancing and earning more per illustration, check it out!

Closing

Taking commissions is a milestone in any artist’s journey. It feels amazing to see the progress you’ve made in your craft, and that others are willing to pay you for your skills.

Although there’s much you can do, just try to improve a little everyday. Before you know it, you’ll be confident and charging more than you ever thought you would.

In the meantime, check out these other articles that go deeper into the Business of NSFW:

• My NSFW Art Commission Process from Start to Finish
• Determine Your Customer Types So You Can Deliver Exceptional Service
• Will Charging Less Get You More Clients? Probably Not

Let me know how your journey is going by commenting! Can’t wait to hear about your successes.

Cheers,
Beats