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How to Make Money on Society6
When I first stumbled upon Society6, I was drawn in by its clean design and the promise of turning my art into something more than just a hobby. But the more I dug into it, the more I realized that Society6 isn’t just another Print on Demand (POD) platform.
It’s a space where art meets lifestyle, and the customers who shop here are a different breed—they’re not just looking for a cute mug; they want something unique, something that tells a story.
This guide isn’t about sugarcoating things. I’m here to give you an honest look at what it’s like to sell on Society6, both the good and the not-so-good. Whether you’re just starting or have been in the game for a while, I hope this will help you make informed decisions.
MI VIEW POINT
What is Society6?
Society6 is a POD platform where you can upload your designs and have them printed on a wide range of products—from art prints to furniture. But what really sets Society6 apart is the quality of its products and the type of audience it attracts. This isn’t the place for mass-produced, generic designs. Society6 caters to a more selective, design-savvy crowd, which can be a blessing and a curse.
Society6 stands out for its focus on high-end, aesthetically pleasing products that often carry a vintage or artistic flair. The platform offers a wide range of products, including art prints, furniture, tapestries, and home decor items, which are not commonly found on other POD platforms.
This diversity allows artists to showcase their work in various formats, appealing to customers who appreciate sophisticated design and are willing to invest in quality.
If your artistic style leans towards retro, vintage, or intricate patterns, Society6 could be a perfect match for you. The platform’s audience appreciates this aesthetic, and artists who align their work with these themes often find more success. Products like wall art, throw pillows, and tapestries with bold patterns or vintage designs tend to perform particularly well.
Pros and Cons of Society6
Let’s start with the pros:
- High-Quality Products: Society6 prides itself on the quality of its products. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill POD site. If your designs fit their aesthetic, you can really stand out here.
- Niche Audience: The people who shop on Society6 are looking for something special. They’re willing to pay more for a unique, well-crafted design, which means you have the potential to earn more per sale.
- Diverse Product Range: Society6 offers a wide variety of products to showcase your art, from wall art to home decor. This gives your designs more ways to connect with buyers.
But of course, it’s not all sunshine and roses:
- Low Profit Margins: Society6 takes a significant cut of your sales, with standard commissions around 10%. This means you need to sell a lot to see substantial earnings.
- Hidden Fees: Recently, Society6 introduced fees for things like shipping and a subscription if you want to upload more than 10 designs. These can eat into your profits more than you might expect.
- Selective Audience: While it’s great that Society6 has a specific audience, it also means that if your designs don’t fit their tastes, you might struggle to make sales. This isn’t a platform where quantity will save you—quality and alignment with their audience’s preferences are key.
- Quality Control and Shipping Issues: Some users have reported inconsistencies in product quality and shipping times. While Society6 generally handles the production and logistics, there have been instances where customers received products that didn’t meet their expectations. Additionally, international shipping times can be unpredictable, which might affect customer satisfaction.
How I Got Started on Society6
When I decided to give Society6 a try, I quickly realized that the first step—setting up your account—is more than just filling out a form. After signing up, I had to verify my PayPal account, which came with a small $1 fee. It’s a minor detail, but it’s important because you won’t get paid until you do this. Once that was sorted, I took some time to polish my profile. I chose a username that reflected my brand, wrote a bio that shared my story and my passion for art, and uploaded a profile picture that I felt represented my style.
Finding My Niche
Society6 isn’t the place for random doodles or rushed designs. The audience here has a taste for the retro, vintage, and intricately patterned. If you’re like me and enjoy creating designs that tell a story or evoke a sense of nostalgia, this platform could be a good fit. But it’s important to focus on a niche that not only aligns with your style but also resonates with Society6’s audience.
Tools I Use to Create Designs
If you’re serious about taking your designs to the next level and standing out on platforms like Society6, you should definitely check out my articles on Creative Fabrica, Creative Market, Kittl, and Skillshare. These platforms have been game-changers in my creative process, offering everything from unique fonts and graphics to powerful design tools and in-depth courses.
- Creative Fabrica is a goldmine for finding unique design elements that can add that special touch to your projects.
- Creative Market provides top-notch design assets, from templates to illustrations, that can give your work a professional polish.
- Kittl is perfect for creating intricate patterns and detailed designs, helping you craft artwork that truly stands out.
- Skillshare offers a wealth of courses to sharpen your skills, whether you’re looking to learn new design techniques or improve your business strategies.
Explore these articles to discover how these resources can help you create better, more impactful designs and succeed on Society6 and beyond.
Kittl is your go-to platform for creating stunning designs with ease. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, Kittl offers intuitive tools and templates that bring your creative vision to life. Perfect for print-on-demand businesses, social media graphics, or personal projects, Kittl empowers you to design like a pro, no matter your skill level.
Creative Fabrica is an all-in-one platform offering a vast library of unique fonts, graphics, templates, mockups, and educational courses designed for artists, designers, crafters, and AI creatives. It provides high-quality resources and a supportive community to help you unleash your creativity and bring your projects to life.
Discover the transformative power of Skillshare, where creativity and community meet to enhance your skills and career through interactive, project-based learning.
Explore over 580,000 graphics to use for social media, e-commerce, cards, & webpages. These graphics sets feature apparel mockups, logos, icons, & themed graphic elements for web & print projects.
IMPORTANT
Designing for Society6
One thing I learned early on is that Society6 customers expect quality. Here are some tips that have helped me create designs that sell:
It’s tempting to upload as many designs as possible, but on Society6, it’s better to upload fewer, high-quality designs. The audience here appreciates craftsmanship, so take your time to perfect each piece.
Retro and vintage designs, along with intricate patterns, tend to do well on Society6. Keep an eye on what’s trending in these categories and consider how you can put your own spin on popular themes.
One mistake I made early on was trying to cater to too many tastes. Society6’s audience is selective, so it’s better to focus on a specific style or theme and really nail it. Also, avoid over-complicating your designs—sometimes, simplicity speaks louder.
I can’t stress enough the importance of continuous learning. Platforms like Skillshare have been invaluable for me. I’ve taken courses on everything from color theory to advanced illustration techniques, and it’s paid off in my Society6 shop.
Optimizing My Listings
Getting your designs in front of potential buyers on Society6 requires more than just uploading them. Here’s how I optimize my listings:
I’ve found that clear, descriptive titles and detailed descriptions make a big difference. I include relevant keywords without overloading the tags—Society6’s algorithm seems to favor specificity over quantity.
Using the right keywords in your titles, descriptions, and tags is crucial. I always research what people are searching for in my niche and make sure those keywords are naturally integrated into my listings. This helps not just on Society6 but also on search engines like Google.
Marketing Strategies for Society6
Society6 doesn’t do much in the way of internal marketing, so it’s up to you to promote your shop. Here’s what’s worked for me:
Promoting Your Products on Social Media
Leverage social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook to promote your Society6 shop. Share behind-the-scenes content, design inspirations, and finished products to build a following and drive traffic to your store.
Examples of Successful Campaigns
Highlight case studies or success stories of artists who have effectively marketed their Society6 products. This not only serves as inspiration but also provides practical examples of strategies that work.
Generating Passive Income on Society6
How Passive Income Works on Society6
Society6 operates on a passive income model, where you create and upload your designs, and the platform handles the rest—production, shipping, and customer service. While it may take time to build momentum, consistent uploads and effective marketing can lead to steady income over time.
Success Stories and Real-Life Examples
Share examples of artists who have turned their Society6 shops into successful passive income streams. Discuss the strategies they used, the challenges they faced, and how they overcame them.
Maximizing Your Earnings on Society6
To maximize your earnings, focus on creating high-quality, niche designs that resonate with Society6’s audience. Utilize external marketing channels to drive traffic to your shop, and consider offering limited edition designs or bundles to increase sales.
Monitoring and Optimizing Your Results
Society6 offers a unique opportunity for artists who align with its audience’s tastes. While the platform comes with its challenges, such as lower profit margins and a selective audience, it can be highly rewarding for those who invest the time and effort to create high-quality, niche designs. If you’re passionate about your art and are looking for a platform that values craftsmanship, Society6 could be the perfect fit for you.
If you found this guide helpful, be sure to check out my other articles on making money with others POD platforms.
Make Money from Home with Redbubble: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Make Money on Zazzle: Tips and Tricks for Passive Income
How to Make Money on TeePublic in 2024: The Ultimate Guide to Passive Income
How to Make Money with Treefury in 2024: The Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly Passive Income
Why CafePress is the Best Platform for Beginners: A Complete Guide to Features, Benefits, and More
