Let's talk monetary gains

[AmazementComics]

Alright folks time to be truthful (or at least half-truthful). How many of you are doing this for the bucks you hope to make off it? After all, everybody on the site has their own art style that makes them distinct. The reason why i'm throwing this question out here is because of a thread I stumbled across talking about how a guy wanted to make money from his comic sketches:

i'm a really talented sketch artist and i can't draw digitally at all, plus i don't even own a pc of any kind or any equipment for one, so i'm pretty much behind every online artist when it comes to aesthetics since i only draw on paper. i also don't know how to make any money doing what i enjoy with my talent and i'd really like to know how to. it would be great to hear any tips from other artists as well to help my problem because, tbh i'm tired of making no profit from what i can do best…

Even if you've perfected craft, via digital, traditional, or otherwise, how much money do you often hope to get? You don't have to state the specifics, but personally, I only create comics to build an audience who likes my content which is steadily growing. Comics aren't the end all be all for where I want to take my characters in the future, it's just a start potentially. If you're hoping to commit full time to your comics, how is that going for you?

[IndigoShirtProd]

I do want to eventually make money off my comics but that really wasn't my goal when first making it. I really just wanted to make people happy and reach a lot of people. I mean my dream is to be a show runner but I'm not that much an animator.

[AmazementComics]

You and I have similar interests. It would my dream to create a show based off of my characters. I have worked with a few programs, but considering where I am right now, I'm not ready to focus on that long term goal just yet.

[elyss]

I'm so in it for the money. I want to able to draw all day (especially my comic), so I want to make money so I don't have to do other work.

[AbelDraws]

My life goal is to work at a design studio/department, have a nice pay and be able to keep on working on my art and story on the side without having to worry about making a living out of it.

I'd love to be able to draw full time buuut I see a lot of drawbacks there as well, and I really like the job I'm aiming for (plus it has some drawing involved as well) so... Nope, I don't aim for it, at least as my primary source of income.

It'd be cool to be able to get some extra cash from my comic if it gets to grow, but I don't really see that happening x'D (like- I believe in my story and I love it to pieces and will pour all my heart into it, but all these years of having close to 0 success with my art in any and all social media have lead me to just let it be and enjoy art without thinking too much about that posibility that will probs not even happen. I'll keep on trying buuut yeah, not gonna happen most likely, and that's completely fine for me).

[Mari]

If I was in it for the money I'd probably would have quit like about 7 years ago.

Here I am. Destitute, Depressed and making like 2 buckaroos a month maybe <3

[ben]

I do make my comics for a living currently but it was always something I wanted to do for a living even as kid so there was always the desire to monetize!!!

[irene_addler]

I would love to make money off it, but am under no illusions that it'll happen. It would be nice, but really is nothing more than a nice dream, for me

[AmazementComics]

I understand that, but is it helping you financially?

[rajillustration]

Not with my current webcomic, nah. If I wanted to make money with it I'd be doing an entirely different comic. I'm mostly doing this as a learning experience, and because I like this story a lot and thought "maybe someone else will, too?" I do make money with art though, just not with comics.

But tbh I have little incentive to get 100 subs and unlock ad revenue. From what I've heard the ad revenue is like couch cushion money.

[buttersphere]

The comic I'm developing is really mainly for myself and the people who wanted to see more of these characters from the short story it started out as.

If it gets the opportunity to make some money I'd welcome it! I'm very aware that if there's any money to come out of making a comic it's a long term investment. I have other small streams of revenue to help fund me as I work on this. (Like selling t-shirt designs and doing commissions for streamers)

So for now the main driving force for me is really just pandering to my interests haha. This is a really interesting topic and it's great seeing everyone's responses!

[burginlewis]

No. I feel a little like a schmuck saying that, but I've been writing stories since I could hold a pencil... money wasn't ever a driver. The point in sharing my work is to connect with people through my story, and the point of reading others' work in a forum like this is to connect with them through theirs. Comments and messages supporting one another are what sets this format apart. Money, when/if it comes, is icing on the cake. For me.

[ben]

Yes it’s my full time job and we’re currently saving up for a house so it’s been going well!

[Cavechan]

I'm so in it for the money. I want to able to draw all day (especially my comic), so I want to make money so I don't have to do other work.

Same. It has to be enough to make up for my current job's salary + benefits and the $12/month from Patreon doesn't cover much of that atm.

[malverav]

I'd love to make enough to pay for hosting my own site ($10/month), and that's really it. Besides, my day job pays the bills and I like it that way, means I can update when I please and draw whatever I want. No pressure.

But, comics are a great way of making money eventually - you can print books rather than having to do commissions, so the cash flow and effort vs. outcome works out a little better in your favour. Once you've done the comic. And people are interested in it, after years of marketing and drawing and networking...

[Shanny8]

Comics IS the end all, be all for me...and yeah, I want to make money doing my comics. With that being said, I'm not oblivious enough to try & do this full time- I have bills to pay, a roof to keep over my head, and other expenses- so I will work a FT job and do comics as an extra/supplementary income.

Right now my main comics income is from sales at conventions- after that comes Patreon money, and then Tapas ink.

[joannekwan]

Ultimately I want to get my stories out there. Growing an audience is my priority. The money is second, but of course getting it is always very nice.

If money was my number one priority, I would most likely have done a coding boot camp by now.

If you want to make money fast while investing bearable hours, don't go into comics.

[darkone4587]

Honestly I've barely made anything from my works. I've been trying to turn some form of a profit due to life reasons, but the first step is trying to get people to actually read my stuff to get people to support me.

[snowy]

If my comic ever makes any money at all, it's going 100% to the artist.

[potatogirl]

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