From Hobby to Side Hustle: How to Earn an Income from Your 3D Modeling Skills

Thanks to the connected world we now live in at the hands of the internet you can turn many a niche hobby into a side hustle and 3D modeling is no exception.

If you have the skills required then there are quite a few ways to make it into a profitable little side hustle.

There are many freelancing opportunities to take advantage of and other ways to cash in on what may have started as a passion project. 

Today we’ll look at how to go about monetizing your expertise. Whether it's character designs for video games, creating animated graphics, or 3D-printed products, let’s explore how to transform your talent into extra cash.

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Marketable Modeling Skills

The first thing to consider is which of your skills are most marketable. 

Not all aspects of 3D design have a demand. To turn a profit you have to consider the most lucrative applications, regardless of what you enjoy most.

Gaming & Animation

Those out there who have low-poly modeling and texturing experience will find themselves well-suited to designing 3D game assets.

The industry is constantly on the lookout for ready-formed assets, especially Indie and hobbyist developers.

Your renderings can be easily sold through platforms such as the Unity Asset Store or Unreal Marketplace.

Printed Product Design

3D printer prices have dropped, making them more accessible which has really opened up the market for designers to sell digitally.

You can print the products yourself and sell them via an Etsy store or just sell unique functional designs for others to print themselves. 

Shapeways is another great platform for your 3D printed products.

Architectural Rendering

Many real estate developers require architectural visualizations, so if you have the skills, you can reach out and offer your services. 

There is a huge demand from firms and independent architects for high-quality 3D renderings of buildings and mapped-out interiors to help showcase their projects.

CAD & Industrial Prototypes

Another area to look at for professional rendering is the manufacturing industry, which often needs rendered visuals for prototypes. 

Many companies outsource CAD models, and entrepreneurs are often interested in outsourcing for their business proposals and seeking funding,

If you have ever used SolidWorks or AutoCAD, then you might be able to cash in on the industrial design and engineering sectors.

Monetization Strategies

With your strengths identified and a market chosen the next step is to find an income path. There are a few monetization strategies each with advantages. Choosing which path suits you best is goal-dependant.

Going Freelance

If you want to work flexibly, going freelance via platforms such as Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer might be your best shot.

These platforms are full of opportunities to connect directly with clients and engage with customers who need 3D modeling services. 

The jobs also vary, so you can pick between any one of the suggested markets in our previous section or take them all on if your skills are up to it!

It can also be lucrative with a solid portfolio and work history, 3D modelers in 2024 were earning an average of $36.50 per hour.

Selling Products Digitally

You can also try your hand at passively selling digital products using marketplaces such as TurboSquid, CGTrader, and Sketchfab.

You can list your 3D assets in a storefront easily just once and sell them multiple times, maximizing earnings with very little effort.

Working on Commission

For artists who want to work on a personal level, there is the commissioned products route. This could be 3D printed Jewellery or Personalized character models.

Working on commission relies on great networking; word-of-mouth recommendations often spread your business.

Teaching or Creating Course Content

The other way to cash in on your skills is to pass the torch and share your expertise.

Some ways to go about this are video tutorials and livestreams through YouTube or you can create course content for websites like Udemy, Skillshare, and Gumroad.

Reach, Visibility & Online Security

To maximize your earnings, you need to expand your reach and grow your online presence.

Let’s talk about visibility and the precautions required for safe internet navigation when growing your side hustle globally.

Building Portfolios

If you want somewhere to showcase your work you can set up a professional website or leverage platforms like ArtStation or Behance.

Just be sure to regularly update to show your potential clients you are improving consistently.

Networking Via Social Media

To grow your presence, you can network through social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter and engage in relevant communities.

LinkedIn is also a valuable promotional tool for participating in industry discussions and finding collaborators and clients.

Protecting Your Work & Privacy

For global expansion, you will find a VPN helpful. It can help keep data and communication secure, protect client information, and unlock regionally restricted access online.

Financing & Scaling Your Side Hustle

Once you rebrand your hobby into a side hustle it has to be treated as a business venture which means finance management and growing yourself a future.

How to Price Your Work

Deciding what price to put on your work requires a little market research. You want a fair wage for your time and expertise. Remember to factor in project complexity and approximate turn-around times to price a job adequately.

Payment Methods Advice

To help make sure transactions are safe and smooth stick to reputable payment options such as PayPal, Stripe, or trusted cryptocurrency wallets. This helps build credibility with clients worldwide.

Ideas For Expanding

When you have a dependable income stream, you can start thinking about outsourcing repetitive tasks or collaborating with others on bigger projects. 

You could expand your skillsets or invest in better software to expand your efforts and grow your business.

Conclusion

With a blend of talent, strategy, and persistence, you can make your 3D modeling skills lucrative. 

Simply identify which of your skills are marketable and adopt the right strategy for monetizing them.

Armed with our advice on how to create a portfolio, network, and expand your online presence, you should be well on your way to a profitable side hustle. 

Of course, you need to manage your business sustainably and take precautions to protect yourself while working online, but with effort and commitment, your 3D modeling hobby can become all the more rewarding.