3 Ways to make money as a designer
From Sponsorships to Passive Income
As a designer, there are numerous avenues to explore when it comes to making money. Here, we’re going to focus on three powerful strategies that can help you build a sustainable income stream: sponsorships, selling on Gumroad, and selling templates through Framer. These methods allow you to leverage your skills, grow your personal brand, and establish multiple revenue streams.
1. Sponsorships: The Power of Consistency and Professionalism
When it comes to making money as a designer, one of the most lucrative ways is through sponsorships. By creating consistent content and developing a strong personal brand, you can start securing deals with brands that want to reach your audience. In my case, after two years of full dedication to content creation, I’m now generating over $8,000 a month in sponsorships alone.
But here’s the thing: **sponsorships don’t come overnight**. It takes time and effort to build credibility and grow your community. Sponsorship deals depend heavily on how professional you project yourself. Brands want to work with designers who not only have a unique style but also a dedicated following. So, consistency is key. By posting valuable content regularly and positioning yourself as an authority in the design space, you’ll start attracting potential sponsors.
It’s important to understand that sponsorships are just one part of the equation. **Clients will always be the largest source of income** for a designer. However, with sponsorships, you’re essentially getting paid for your visibility and influence. It’s not just about having a great design portfolio, but also about having a community that trusts you and engages with your content.
2. Passive Income on Gumroad: Sell Templates, Courses, and Resources
Another fantastic way to monetize your skills is by selling digital products on **Gumroad**. Whether it’s design templates, courses, or resources like fonts, mockups, or UI kits, **Gumroad allows you to earn passive income** by selling products to a wide audience. The beauty of Gumroad is that it doesn’t require constant upkeep once your products are set up.
One way I personally utilize Gumroad is by selling the same designs I create for social media and marketing. These assets double as content I use to engage my audience, and they also act as products I can sell on Gumroad. **Marketing your designs on social media can turn into a passive income stream** if you leverage platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to promote them. The content you create to showcase your work can also act as a sales tool, driving traffic to your Gumroad store.
In my case, I’ve been able to build a **recurring membership model**, where customers subscribe for access to new templates and design resources. So, not only do you get an initial sale when a customer buys your product, but with a recurring subscription model, you’re also building long-term passive income.
By maintaining a consistent presence on social media and continually offering valuable design resources, **Gumroad can work hand-in-hand with sponsorships** to form a solid financial foundation.
3. Selling Templates Through Framer: A Solid Revenue Stream
Last but not least, if you’re looking for another way to monetize your design skills, selling **templates on Framer** is an excellent option. Framer is a powerful design tool that allows you to create high-quality, fully customizable templates. These templates can be sold to other designers or businesses looking for ready-made solutions.
The best part about selling on Framer is that you’re tapping into a **marketplace of potential buyers who are already looking for high-quality design solutions**. Whether it’s website templates, UI kits, or even animations, there’s a demand for well-crafted, ready-to-use assets. As a designer, you can take advantage of this by creating templates that cater to a wide range of industries or niches.
Selling templates through Framer doesn’t just provide immediate revenue; it can also **serve as a great portfolio piece** that attracts new clients. Plus, it’s a flexible way to earn money without having to constantly work on custom projects. Once you upload your templates, you’re essentially earning money without having to do much additional work, aside from promotion.
Bringing It All Together
The beauty of these three strategies is that they can work **hand-in-hand** to help you generate multiple revenue streams. As a designer, you have the ability to create content that brings in sponsorships, while simultaneously building a passive income stream through Gumroad and Framer.
– Sponsorships provide you with high-paying opportunities, but they require consistency and professionalism.
– Gumroad offers you the chance to monetize your design work passively, and by promoting your products on social media, you’re turning your content into a source of income.
– Framer gives you the chance to tap into a marketplace of buyers looking for quality design templates, allowing you to earn money from your design work without being tied to client projects.
By combining these strategies, you can create a sustainable business as a designer, where you’re not just relying on one form of income. With time and effort, you’ll find that these revenue streams complement each other, allowing you to earn money doing what you love.