What if you have no money to pay an artist?

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dwaynebiddixart's avatar
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As most of you know I have posted a lot of things about the need for artists to be paid for their work, and I do stand by that with 100% belief.

But I have had and seen a few comments made by people asking how they are to get their ideas made if they have no money to pay the artist. Well, there is no one perfect answer. But I will try to cover some ways that it could be done.

1: Know your artist. Really. NOTHING is worse than some random person coming out of nowhere wanting you to do art for free. And don't JUST make friends with an artist expecting something. We can usually tell if you really want to be a friend or if you are in it for something. Just talk to them. Treat them as a real person. Show them respect and interact with them. Most every artist is on social media, follow them. Look for similar interests you share and talk to them. If over time you become friends there is a decent chance they may be willing to help with your project. But know, most of the time pay work is going to take precedent. So understand if they need to jump on and off your project when they have paid work. Bills have a habit of coming up over and over.

2: Ask yourself if you really CAN pay. I know this is not true for everyone, but there may be some things you could give up (at least for a while) to save money to pay. Are you a Starbucks guy? Give it up for a few months and keep that money. Give up buying your video games for a while. Give up restaurants for a while. Have some things you really don't need? Sell it to add to the artist payment. People like Kevin Smith sold his comic book collection and maxed out his credit cards to get Clerks made.

I can hear some of you now, 'THAT IS NOT FAIR!' But this is what every artist does to do your project. They have to give up all this stuff if they are spending their time doing your stuff for free. But this is YOUR project, YOUR passion. YOU are the one who gets the big windfall if it takes off. If you are SO sure your project is a can't miss, are you not willing to give up some stuff to get it made? Of course you don't give up things you NEED, food, car, medicine, rent, etc, but really be honest and see if there are things you could save money from. Maybe even do some odd jobs on the side to save up to pay an artist. Sure, at the end of the day there may not be a lot, but if you come with some respectable money and the artist understands what you gave up to get them, they may be willing to join in.

3: If you can't do that then ask, is there anything you are great at that you can exchange services with an artist?  Are you a great writer? Offer to edit the artist's project, or offer to write something if the artist has little writing ability. Are you a repair guy? Offer to fix anything that breaks in the artist's home for the next year. (If you are close enough.) Are you a programmer? Offer to create an app for the artist. Web-designer? Do a site for the artist. The artist is providing a service, why not offer a service back to the artist? At least both sides could get something back for the effort.

I know a lot of people have ideas they would love to get out there, but do not have all the skill sets to get them done. I know there are times you may NEED to have someone else to come along side you and help out. I know you believe in your project, it is your passion, it has been something you have dreamed of for years, and you would do anything to get it made. But you need to understand for anyone you ask to help you does not share those feelings. For them it may just be a job. Don't go in thinking that any artist is going to love your project like you do. So to get someone to join you, you need to provide something to make it worth their while.

And lastly, collaborations. I know a lot of people want to get a collaborator to work for them because they believe in you and/or the project. But you need to know that is going to be a rare thing. It CAN happen, but go in knowing that is going to be a hard sell. But there are some things you can do that may make it a bit more appealing to the artist to join the team.

1: Be as professional as you can be. Do the research. Know as much as you can about what you need to do to make your project happen. The quickest way to scare off a collaborator is to have no idea what you need. Know your jobs.

2: Be willing to have a partner. If you get an artist interested in being a collaborator be willing to allow the artist to have input in the project. Real input. Not stuff like, 'You can decide the hair color of the character' but real input. If the artist is putting in things they care about they may be willing to work with you.

3: You need to share. The artist needs to have a portion of ownership in the project. Not a huge chunk. But something worth the time and effort.

4: Have real means to succeed. If you want someone to help you do your game, make sure you have actual means to make it. Have industry connections, have a record of success, have a following, something that shows the artist that working with you is worth the shot. If you have never done a game and know no one in the industry, the odds are so against you the artist may not think it's worth the try.

5: Promote. If you get the artist on board make sure to promote him in everything you are doing. Make sure the artist knows he is valued by you. And the artist will most likely return the favor.

So there you have it. It IS possible to get an artist to work for you with little to no money, but know it is a hugely uphill battle and the odds are not in your favor. But if you are passionate about your project and are willing to give everything you can to it, there is a chance.

Best of luck and I hope it helps!
Dwayne 
© 2013 - 2024 dwaynebiddixart
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Dreamerwstcoast's avatar
SO you're sayin' there's a chance ;) 
Excellent write up.