How to Become an NFT Artist – Complete Guide 2024

Becoming an NFT artist offers immense opportunities if you love creating digital art. As NFTs continue to rise, now is the perfect time to capitalize on this movement as a creator.

But how exactly does one become an NFT artist?

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share a 7-step roadmap to becoming a successful NFT artist, from creating unique artworks to effectively promoting them in the NFT marketplace.

You can establish your artistic brand in the NFT space, attract dedicated communities of fans, and also earn lucrative income from your passion by following these steps.

See it as your NFT Guide for Artists 101.

What Is an NFT Artist?

An NFT artist is a digital creator who uses blockchain technology to mint their artworks as NFTs. These NFTs represent digital proof of ownership and authenticity, making each piece of NFT art unique and valuable.

As an NFT artist, your role is not just about creating art but also about understanding the dynamics of the NFT marketplace and engaging with the NFT community. This part is crucial to succeeding as an NFT artist.

How to Become an NFT Artist in 7 Steps

Step 1: Learn about NFTs

The first step to becoming a successful NFT artist is learning about NFTs. Learn about their origin, how they work, and what they offer.

Non-fungible tokens provide more than just digital asset ownership. Several utilities can come with one asset, and NFTs help potential buyers access them. 

Conducting proper research on the space will help you discover what’s trending, the major artists in the industry, and how best to push your art.

And there are NFT royalties that help you make more from each secondary sale.

Step 2: Choose your niche

When you spend some time in the NFT space, you can easily choose an area to specialize in.

There are many areas to focus on, including nature, fiction, fantasy, animals, futuristic designs, and more. If you enjoy reading mangas, you can create custom manga-style profile pic collections or create breathtaking nature-themed video clips like Clementmor1.

Ensure you pick a niche you genuinely like and have a profitable market segment. This is important so you don’t start changing your pattern later. It might confuse your audience.

Jumping into different niches will also leave you with a scattered audience base, which leads to low engagement, which won’t convert when you finally decide to sell your NFTs.

Step 3: Create Your Art (It Should Be Unique)

The key here is to be creative and think out of the box when designing your NFT art.

Don’t copy someone else’s NFTs because they’ll look too similar. Instead, try to find inspiration from somewhere else.

One way to do this is to create one art piece per day until you have enough pieces to show off. Another angle you can take is creating your NFTs using a generator. It’s faster and helps you create NFTs in bulk.

There are also several NFT creator apps for Android you can use to create your images. You can find some on the iOS store.

Here’s a quick comparison of the best apps to create your NFTs.

Step 4: Pick a Marketplace and Mint Your NFT

Now, you’ve designed your art. It’s time to turn it into an NFT.

The first thing you need is a crypto wallet like MetaMask and some cryptocurrencies like Ethereum. You’ll need both to connect with a marketplace and mint your digital artwork.

You can buy some ETH on exchanges like Binance or Bybit.

Once done, you’ll need to connect to a marketplace to mint the digital artwork as an NFT.

Various marketplaces cater to different types of NFTs, from artworks to video clips and Tweets. Some popular options include Opensea.io, Rarible.com, NiftyGateway.com, SuperRare.co, etc.

Check out our comprehensive list of the best NFT marketplaces.

Step 5: Promote Your NFT and Offer Incentives

After launching your NFT, continuous promotion is key. Competition is fierce, with buyers constantly looking for something new and exciting.

Offering unique incentives and gamification can significantly boost your NFT project’s success. Consider these promotion strategies:

• Social media advertising: you can run ads on Twitter or Reddit to get your NFT noticed by potential collectors.
• Influencer/KOL marketing: promoting your NFTs through influencers can help you get your first set of buyers. You can offer the influencer some free whitelist spots or pay them outrightly. Some good influencers include:
  • NFT God
  • NFTNics
  • Feyi
  • MinisterOfNFTs
  • Moritz
  • Elena

You can also support your NFT promotion methods by offering incentives like:

• Whitelisting: Early access to NFT drops.
• Free Airdrops: Giving away free NFTs or tokens.
• Profit/Royalty Sharing: Sharing a portion of your NFT sales.
• Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO): Giving your community decision-making power.
• Tokens and Staking: Issuing your own tokens or offering staking rewards.

Step 6: Build a Community

Building a community of loyal fans is crucial for the success of your digital art. These are the individuals who will appreciate and potentially purchase your work. Here are some steps to help you build and engage your audience:

• Choose the Right Platforms: Twitter, Discord, and Reddit are excellent social media platforms for artists. Start by creating an account on these platforms to connect with potential fans.
• Grow Your Following: Once you’ve set up your accounts, focus on growing your followers. Share your work, participate in discussions, and engage with other users to increase your visibility.
• Keep Your Audience Engaged: It’s not enough to just gather followers; you need to keep them interested. Regularly update your social media accounts with new content and interact with your followers to maintain their interest.
• Host Interactive Sessions: Consider hosting Twitter spaces or AMA (Ask Me Anything) sessions on Discord. These interactive sessions allow you to engage directly with your audience, answer their questions, and build stronger relationships.
• Run Giveaways: Giveaways can be a fun way to engage your audience and attract new followers. You could give away digital prints, merchandise, or even an NFT of your art.
• Showcase Your Work: Regularly share your artwork on your social media platforms. This not only showcases your talent but also reminds your followers of the unique art you create.
• Prepare for Your Launch: As you engage with your audience, start preparing them for your ultimate launch. Share sneak peeks of your work, discuss your process, and build anticipation.
• Connect on a Personal Level: Lastly, make sure your audience falls in love with you as an artist before they fall in love with your art. Share your journey, your inspirations, and your story to create a personal connection with your audience.

Step 7: Be Consistent

Whether as an NFT creator or anything, whatever you plan to do, it’s important to be steadfast. Let your target audience identify your work when they see it. Once you’ve created your unique pattern, make sure you continue to follow that pattern for a very long time.

Even if you wish to divert into something different, it shouldn’t be all of a sudden; make it gradual. Being inconsistent makes your target audience easily fed up with you and your art. You should be regular for at least six months before deciding to diversify.

You should have at the back of your mind that success in any business doesn‘t come overnight. The day you plant a seed is not the same day you begin to reap the fruits. It takes a lot of hard work, perseverance, and self-encouragement to make it in any business.

You’re sure to encounter many obstacles on your journey to success as an NFT creator. However, it’s essential to know that the moment you begin to give room to discouragement, your downfall sets in. The more you persevere, the more creative you become in creating something unique.

Is Being an NFT Artist Profitable?

One of the most frequently asked questions about becoming an NFT artist is: “Is being an NFT artist profitable?” The answer is, it can be. Several NFT artists have gained significant recognition and financial success through their NFT art.

However, like any other profession, the profitability of being an NFT artist depends on various factors such as the quality of your art, your understanding of the NFT market, and your ability to effectively promote your work.

What makes an NFT project successful?

When thinking about what makes an NFT project succeed, the first thing that comes to mind is its uniqueness. This means that you need to create something that no one else has ever made before. Your NFT also needs to have a deeper meaning or utility.

To ensure that your NFT is both unique and meaningful, you’ll need to put in a significant amount of effort. After all, you want to create something that people will appreciate and enjoy.

Another key factor is how well you market your NFT. If you don’t market your NFT, nobody will know about it. Also, if you don’t get enough exposure, there won’t be much interest in buying your NFT.

Finally, you need to focus on building a community around your NFT. People who are part of your community will help you build awareness for your NFT. They will also buy your NFT because they feel connected to you.

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Common mistakes NFT creators make and solution

People make several common mistakes when exploring how to become an NFT artist.

Remember, addressing these common mistakes can improve your chances of success as an NFT creator.

How to become an NFT artist – final thoughts

Remember that success as an NFT artist is not guaranteed, so avoid expecting people to buy your NFTs without reason. Show gratitude towards your buyers and remain persistent in your efforts. It’s crucial not to let NFTs consume your personal life or lead to burnout. Keep a healthy balance and prioritize your overall well-being.

How to become an NFT artist – FAQs

Can anyone become an NFT creator?

Yes, anyone can become an NFT creator. All you need is a digital file such as an image, video, or music, a crypto wallet, and an account on an NFT marketplace. However, creating successful NFTs requires creativity, an understanding of the market, and effective promotion.

How do I turn my art into an NFT?

To turn your art into an NFT, you need to digitize it, choose a blockchain platform (like Ethereum), select an NFT marketplace, and then mint your digital art into an NFT through the marketplace’s process.

Can artists make money on NFT?

Yes, artists can make money from NFTs by selling their digital artworks on NFT marketplaces. Some artists have earned substantial amounts, but success varies and depends on factors like demand, uniqueness, and marketing.

How much does it cost to start an NFT?

The cost to start an NFT varies, but you’ll typically pay for minting (creating the NFT), which can range from $50 to $100, and listing fees on marketplaces. Prices fluctuate based on network congestion and gas fees on the blockchain.