How I make My Moneys

Okay, I understand that now that I set up this blog I have to update it. So here we go.  The topic is Art and Money. How does a Freelance Artist pay their bills?  Well besides having very supportive family and friends . here are a few things that have been working for me of lately.
        I've been gaining income from a variety of different sources . As an Artist some days I feel like a Chef, stirring so many pots at the same time. I display my Art whenever and wherever I can, I've also recently started teaching Art Classes. Mainly I do a lot of Graphic Design, there is an endless supply of entrepreneurs and business owners with new products and services that need branding and advertising.  I'm constantly on the prowl for these people.  Believe it or not Craigslist.com is a good source for me. Of course their are knuckle heads out there but I efficiently weed them out with a 50% upfront policy.   
    Another site that I'm digging at the moment Freelancer.com .  The cheapest membership is like $5 a month (the one i have).  Anyway, in the beginning I played the game and set up my profile, and put in my bids for projects from people posted all around the world.  It's hard for newcomer because your customer ratings are shit,(what customers) and there are a lot... i mean A LOT of other bidders for the projects.  I've only had luck with the contests, which I think I have down to a science.  The contest are pretty much projects posted that designers can enter and win for a preset prize amount.

• I only enter the contest with Guaranteed money and of coarse the prize money has to be consistent with the amount of work needed for the project..
• I only enter the "private contests" because in other contests everyone sees your entry submitted, sadly resulting in a bunch of copycatting.
• I only enter contest that match my capabilities and style.  I  do not try to  do anything that will take up way too much of my time, or does not match my portfolio work. If I do not win the contest, no love lost, I have a portfolio piece and I didn't spend hours, if days on something that was rejected.

Sticking to those simple guidelines has payed off for me. Who else and how else does Freelancer work for you? Does anyone know of any similar sites?
  
     Lately I've been looking for ways to beef up my branding which will of coarse result in making more income.  I came across Art*Star.   At first I just signed up for the newsletter and really found the information practical and pretty much a one stop shop for artist development.  For a small fee ( they worked with my budget)  I then received what to me was like a brand audit.  They took the time and went though each aspect of my business and then came up with some solutions that I didn't even know were available to tighten up my business .  My list looks a little overwhelming :) , but all the improvements and add-ons will only make my brand stronger and eventually make me more money.  I'll definitely keep yall posted.
   
  

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