Is tipping the future of creative business?
I did something with my friend Julie Prichard. It was only one time, but there will be more to come. Keep reading to find out.
This edition of The Hungry is in partnership with Blick Art Materials.
Tipping is Not a Town in China
I was tagged in a post recently about Ko-Fi and what I thought of the platform as a way for people to make extra income. If you're not familiar with Ko-Fi, it's a patron-based application similar to Patreon but with the ability to sell products or services directly and accept micro-donations.
I have mixed feelings about Ko-Fi because though they offer creatives a low barrier to entry on earning from their work, it's still a rented attention platform, and there's been a growing public concern about the tipping and subscription economies.
Rented attention means that you have no control over the data from your supporters. If you decide to leave Ko-Fi, you can't take your list of customers with you.
Also, you can't go anywhere without seeing a tip jar or the automatically implied tipping strategy of point-of-sale checkout devices in every shop or eatery you walk into.
I like to support artists who have memberships. Still, how many more monthly contributions can I afford between those social media platforms, software services, and numerous television channels?
On the positive side, Ko-Fi is 100% free to use. You can upgrade your account to share 5% of your earnings with Ko-Fi, allowing you to have supporter-only content. Still, upgrading is not an obligation, and you can start earning right away because getting started is easy.
There also seems to be a strong art and creative community happening on Ko-Fi, which is nice to be in good company and shows proof of concept for using the app as an earning strategy. It might be a viable way for you to start making money from your projects.
There are other alternatives to Ko-Fi. Patreon is still a juggernaut in this category, but they've become more expensive. Even ConvertKit can add a virtual tip jar, and for the sake of experimentation, you can find mine at the bottom of this update. #justsayin 😉
And if you are thinking about a virtual tip jar, here's a post to inspire you.
PARTNER
Supplies!
Maybe you don't need any new art supplies, but you know you want them! You also know you'll buy more than you need; the last thing you want to do is pay for shipping.
Don't worry. If you shop with Blick Art Materials and spend $59 or more, you can get free shipping! Use the code CFGC at checkout, and your discount will be applied.
You know you'll buy supplies anyway—why not save some money and shop with one of the most trusted names in art?
Not as Interesting As We Think
I've been working on a secret project in the background with my friend and artist Julie Prichard, and now I can finally share it with you.
I'm happy to share the first episode of Julie & Dave: Not as Interesting as We Think, a podcast with two seasoned art professionals sharing perspectives and opinions on a mishmash of creative business topics.
It's basically like The Hungry, except with faces.
Biz Bites
You can get with this, or you can get with that, but you should get with the idea that your work needs more contrast to grab those fast-moving eyeballs from people who skim your updates.
Etsy will no longer share emails with 3rd parties, which they say is a security issue. Still, I'm guessing it's more about keeping your advertising dollars on the platform (and keeping you from reaching out to their customers).
Still debating whether to start a newsletter in 2024? First, do it! Second, here's a thoughtful take by the founders of Beehiiv on the topic.
You've wanted to start a course, but you haven't. Maybe it's because you don't know what to make. The best advice? Talk to your audience first, and then read this post of 50 ideas to inspire you.
If you're a design professional, GDUSA published their salary trends and guidelines for 2024.
What is Microblogging? First, it's a gateway drug to something greater. Second, it's a fantastic way to gain attention with less effort.
The launch of Choose Your Words is coming up fast, and seats are limited. Secure your spot today!
Art Bites
If you've been here for a while, you know how I feel about trend posts, but there's no denying that Creative Market's trend post for 2024 will give you the visual dopamine you're craving.
One of my favorite Instagram accounts is Accidentally Wes Anderson. They've gotten so popular that they published a book last year and are now hosting a gallery show in London.
Sometimes, we don't know what to share online because everyone talks about what should and shouldn't be posted on different platforms. You're not alone. Even the big players go through this. (Context: MKBHD)
Shop at Blick Art Materials and use the code CFGC at checkout to get free shipping on all orders above $59. (Partner*)
If you're all about that grant money or want to hit up your favorite gallery for wall space, you better polish that resume.
Three reasons why AI art is not your competition.
Could you make art with your partner? Monica and Michael Rich seem to have figured it out.
