Heya! I've not made the leap into full-time art nor do I desire too. (Art/writing is a pure passion project.) But my fiance has made the leap and is a full-time content creator. He's the chillwave musician known as Downtown Binary. Sharing his story and his tips I hope will help. I've been with him since 2007 and he's gone through multiple genres (hardstyle, trance, ambient) before settling on a microgenre within synthwave (chillwave). While this was going on, he got a Master's degree in music production. He took clients for sound design, mastering, and backing tracks. This enabled him to save up money to afford the production of his debut album (which was released this year). Mike has never liked social media because it can be highly unprofessional. Potential clients will skip over indie musicians who purposely stir up trouble or act controversial. He didn't want to ever be tempted by people trolling. So, what did he do? He did set up a Twitter and he did set up a Reddit for simple release dates, track lists, art drops, etc. He also has a SoundCloud and YouTube. Those are the two sites that got him opportunities. He was asked to have his music feature on multiple radio shows and the biggest features came with Electronic Gems (one of YouTube's largest edm channels). That catapulted his music into indie stardom within his genre and here we are today! The takeaway Mike wants people to take is being a full-time creator requires: dedication, discipline, hard work, proper branding, the willingness to take clients for commissions, the ability to get along with others, seeking out opportunities, etc. And a degree certainly isn't required but can help if you want to do the legwork to obtain it.
He's an inspiration to me and a shining beacon on how to be a content creator in the internet age. š„°Linking his work below. (I have to be proud for a moment but that's my art on the album/cassette cover! I'm incredibly honored because he could have chosen almost anyone.)
Good luck to op and everyone else making the leap! We believe in you!