The intersection of art and technology is creating exciting opportunities for financial growth among artists. Leveraging digital tools, modern platforms, and innovative techniques, you can elevate your creative practice while expanding your revenue streams.

Whether you’re an established artist or just starting out, embracing technological advancements can transform how you create, market, and sell your work.

Virtual reality galleries, crowdfunding campaigns, social media marketing, digital production tools, and online marketplaces are just a few ways that tech-savvy artists are finding new paths to success.

Let’s explore how these innovations can help you boost your career financially.

5 Ways Artists Leverage Technology for Financial Growth

1. Online Marketplaces

Online marketplaces have transformed the way artists sell their work. Sites like Etsy, Society6, and Redbubble offer platforms where you can showcase your art to a global audience.

These websites handle much of the logistical hassle – like payment processing and shipping – allowing you to focus on creating. By setting up an online shop, you not only gain exposure but also have the flexibility to manage your inventory and pricing strategies.

Engaging with customers through reviews and personalized messages builds community and fosters repeat buyers.

Additionally, these platforms often provide valuable analytics that help you understand market trends and improve your sales techniques over time.

2. Digital Music Production

Digital music production has revolutionized how musicians create and distribute their work. With affordable and user-friendly software, even independent artists can produce high-quality tracks from the comfort of their homes. Tools such as digital audio workstations (DAWs) have made recording, editing, and mixing more accessible than ever.

Additionally, advanced features like autotune and effects libraries help refine your sound to professional standards. Digital music mastering is simple with apps like Mixea, allowing you to perfect your tracks without needing an expensive studio setup.

This technological advancement empowers musicians to take full control of their creative process while also opening up new avenues for revenue generation.

3. Virtual Reality Galleries

Virtual reality (VR) galleries are changing the landscape for art exhibitions. With VR technology, you can create immersive, 3D gallery experiences that allow potential buyers to explore your artwork from the comfort of their homes.

This not only saves on physical space and travel costs but also broadens your reach to a global audience. When you offer high-definition views and interactive features, VR galleries provide an engaging experience that traditional online photos cannot match.

Artists can host virtual openings, complete with live chats and guided tours, making it easier to connect with collectors in real-time. This innovative approach is proving to be a game-changer in how art is marketed and sold.

4. Crowdfunding Campaigns

Crowdfunding campaigns have become a powerful tool for artists looking to fund their projects. Platforms like Kickstarter and Netcapital allow you to pitch your ideas directly to backers.

This approach not only democratizes the funding process but also helps build a dedicated community around your work. If you offer exclusive rewards such as limited edition prints, behind-the-scenes content, or personalized experiences, you can incentivize support and engage with your audience on a deeper level.

Successful campaigns provide essential financial backing while maintaining creative control. Additionally, crowdfunding introduces your art to new audiences who may become lifelong fans.

5. Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing has become indispensable for artists seeking to reach wider audiences. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook offer unprecedented opportunities for showcasing your work, engaging with fans, and driving sales.

By sharing regular updates on your creative process, upcoming projects, or finished pieces, you can build a dedicated following. Engaging content such as stories, live sessions, and behind-the-scenes glimpses creates a personal connection with your audience.

Utilizing hashtags and collaborations with other artists or influencers can further expand your visibility. Effective social media strategies not only enhance brand recognition but also direct potential buyers to your online stores or galleries.

Technology Can Be An Artist’s Best Friend

Embracing technology can unlock new doors for your artistic journey, offering endless possibilities for growth and financial success. Don’t hesitate to explore these innovative tools and platforms, integrating them into your creative process.

Start experimenting with online marketplaces, virtual galleries, crowdfunding, social media marketing, and digital production today. Each step you take opens up more opportunities to connect with audiences worldwide and monetize your talents in fresh ways.

HALLOWEEN is right around the corner which means households are starting to stock up on goodies for trick-or-treaters.

So we found the cheapest places to buy your spooky sweets this week to save you splashing out – and prices start at just 59p.

7

The best deal around is from B&M with a huge 600g Swizzels Sweet Treat tub selling for £3.

Another bargain deal we found was in Sainsbury’s, where a whopping 800g bumper box of Haribo Starmix costs just £5 with a Nectar Card.

These are currently the cheapest places to buy these sweet brands in bulk.

There are also a wide range of spooky sweets selling for bargain price in shops like Aldi, Poundland and Asda.

Their quantities are smaller, so might require you to stock up on a couple bags, but include spooky editions of brand favourites.

For example, you can also buy 160g packets of Haribo Monsters and Skeletons for the cheapest price in Aldi at just 99p.

Poundland is also a strong contender with all kinds of gruesome treats, such as eye balls and blood bags, selling for £1.

Keep in mind that supermarket prices can change day to day and vary between stores.

So it’s always a good idea to check prices online before you shop – or visit a comparison site like Trolley to sweep the best deals.

To find out which deals we rated the best and where to get them, read below.

Swizzels Sweet Treat Tub – £3

7

The 600g Swizzels tub is the best deal around at only 50p per 100g in B&M.

It is currently reduced to £3 from its original price, £4.

And with the huge amount of sweets, you could be set for the whole Halloween for bargain price.

It features all the favourites – including Parma Violets, Drumsticks, Refreshers and Love Hearts.

B&M is the cheapest place to buy the tub, but you can also get it for £3.49 in Aldi, or more expensive in Iceland for £5.50.

You can also buy smaller 173g bags of Swizzels in B&m for £1 or Aldi for 99p.

Though this is 57p per 100g, meaning the 600g Sweet Treat Tub is the best bang for your buck.

Haribo Starmix Bumper Box – £5

7

This 800g box contains 50 treat size bags making it just 10p per serving.

You can buy it in Sainsbury’s for £5.50, or just £5 if you have a Nectar Card.

We couldn’t find this product in any other supermarket, meaning you should be quick to grab the deal from your nearest Sainsbury’s.

One seller has listed it on Ebay for £11 – over double the Sainsbury’s price.

To find your local Sainsbury’s go to the website and use the Store Locator.

Haribo Monsters and Skeletons – 99p

7

Advertisement

The cheapest place to buy spooky Haribo sharing bags is Aldi, with the 160g packets priced at just 99p.

Haribo has two spooky editions: skeletons and monsters.

You can also buy them in Iceland for £1, or £1.25 in Asda and Morrisons.

Aldi sells a range of sweets at their 99p price, including Drumsticks, Skittles and Candy Kitten dupes.

Another option on their Halloween confectionary range is the Nature’s Pick candy apple, which costs just 59p, but only serves one.

Cadbury’s Pumpkin Patch Cakes – £2.50

7

The Cadbury‘s box of 4 Pumpkin Patch Cakes is an exciting seasonal addition to shelves.

It can be bought in most supermarkets such as Asda, Sainsbury’s, Iceland and Tesco for £2.50.

This means each cake costs 63p – making it a pricier option if you’re looking to give them to trick-or-treaters.

But if you’re a Cadbury’s lover who’s looking to grab them for yourself, it helps to know they’re the same price across the board – unless you spot any reductions.

More Creepy Treats – £1

7

7

Advertisement

If you’re looking for other places to bag great deals on sweets this Halloween, Poundland offers a range of options all for £1.

You can get realistic looking blood bags, jelly body parts, witches hair and creepy jelly insects.

In comparison, a giant spooky jelly spider is £3 in B&M.

And in Lidl a candy skull is £5 – which is £4 more expensive than Poundland.

However, remember that smaller bags of sweets like these may require you to buy multiple bags – in many cases it is better to bulk buy a tub of Swizells, for example, and stretch your cash further.

Read our other article to learn how you can also make spooky sweet treats at home.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

According to the Financial Conduct Authority, over 40% of UK adults have savings of more than £10,000. This is reassuring but it seems a great deal of it is not invested.

Indeed, Barclays Bank estimates that 13 million UK adults hold £430bn in cash deposits.

Cash can be a good place to park savings for the short term, as the returns are not subject to the volatility experienced by investment markets. However, extending the time savings are kept in cash and not investing in asset classes like equities and bonds means potentially missing out on generating real returns to enable spending power to exceed the rate of inflation over the long term.

The gap between cash and investing is exacerbated at the moment by the fact interest rates have started falling, and we believe stock markets in the UK and internationally are offering attractive valuations.

There is hope the Budget on 30 October will deliver the catalysts required for investors in UK-listed companies to realise their attractive valuation opportunities

This latter point may seem surprising given the fact the US S&P500 index reached yet another new all-time high at the end of September.

Yet it is important to remember the US stock market has been driven to current levels in large part by a handful of mega caps, including Nvidia and Apple, which have benefited from the fever-like excitement around AI.

The market environment is changing, however. Revenues that have been delivered by US mega and large caps are spreading beyond these stocks, not only in the US but also in international markets. This is at a time when cheaper valuations are available outside large caps.

Our optimism about the outlook and valuations is demonstrated by the fact our team currently has a tactical score of four out of a maximum of five for equity markets in general. But not all equity markets are equal, and some offer greater value than others.

For the last time we saw this concentration in the S&P500, you have to go back to the Great Depression

The table below shows that, on a price to earnings (PE) and price to book (PB) basis, the UK offers the most value, with ratios of 12.2 and 1.9 respectively.

Expectations were raised when the Labour government won a large electoral majority in the summer, with a commitment to economic growth. There is hope the Budget on 30 October will deliver the catalysts required for investors in UK-listed companies to realise their attractive valuation opportunities.

Valuations in global equity markets

Source: Bloomberg/Liontrust, 02 October 2024; *External (hard currency) debt

Over the last two to three years, China’s slowing economic growth and trade tensions with the US have weighed on emerging markets (EMs).

We believe there are several reasons why EMs may now be more attractive. China’s central bank recently announced a new wave of monetary stimulus and EMs could benefit from the relative appreciation of their own currencies versus a potentially weakening dollar following the US Federal Reserve’s recent half-point interest-rate cut.

EM countries tend to borrow in US dollars, so a weaker greenback makes it easier for them and their companies to service their debts.

Barclays Bank estimates that 13 million UK adults hold £430bn in cash deposits

While US-China relations remain complicated, the reorganisation of strategic supply chains could create new opportunities for EMs other than China.

Two of the most expensive markets are the US and Japan after enjoying strong performance over the past couple of years despite the pullback in early August. However, while we are neutral on US equities from a tactical view, we do have a positive score of four out of five for US smaller companies and are bullish on the Japanese market, including smaller companies.

The fact Japan is in an inflationary environment for the first time in a couple of decades should encourage more consumption and, together with an improving corporate picture after years of underperformance, gives us a positive view of the outlook for the stock market.

If, as we believe, the concentration in equity markets of the mega caps in the US lessens over time and revenues and share prices broaden beyond them, then it is important to consider what the relative impact will be on active managers and passive vehicles within portfolios.

We believe there are several reasons why EMs may now be more attractive

If you take the US, which is the biggest passive market, the top 10 holdings in the S&P index represent around a third of the whole index. For the last time we saw this concentration in the S&P500, according to one of our US fund managers, you have to go back to the Great Depression.

The market conditions back then were entirely different to what we have today and we do not believe all the growth comes from just a few stocks.

While passive vehicles have certainly helped us over the years in terms of a broader universe of options to use within portfolios, there is a big opportunity now for active management, particularly in mid and small caps, and for savings to work harder for investors than keeping them in cash.

John Husselbee is head of the Liontrust multi-asset team

RESIDENTS being kicked out of an iconic tower block from Only Fools and Horses have revealed they won’t budge.

Harlech Tower, located on the South Acton Estate in Ealing, is set to be demolished to make way for modern new housing that will accommodate more people.

4

4

Advertisement

4

4

However, many residents living in the flats, which the council has labelled as “shabby,” have expressed that they do not wish to move out.

The tower featured as Peckham’s Nelson Mandela House in the popular TV show, Only Fools & Horses.

Phil Robinson lives on the 12th floor and has a special connection to Harlech Tower.

For decades, the 75-year-old served as the caretaker of the building, including when Only Fools and Horses was filmed there.

Phil has witnessed all sorts under his tenure from house fires to TV crews.

The former caretaker stated that even if he were offered a home in the new development, he would prefer to remain where he is.

“This is my home and I’m being forced out,” he said.

Phil moved into the tower with his late wife in 1975, and he cherishes the fond memories of their life together in the flat.

The 75-year-old also recalled the time Only Fools and Horses was filmed there with the crew having to do a whopping 32 takes for one scene.

Phil was diagnosed with stomach cancer and relies on his neighbours to bring him food as he can’t walk very well.

The Harlech Tower resident fears that the demolition of the block and the dispersal of his neighbours will strip him of the support network he’s relied on for years.

Phil isn’t alone in his desire to stay, as many other residents also prefer not to be displaced from their flats.

Terry, 77, and his wife Elizabeth, 82, have lived on the fourth floor with their daughter and son-in-law for the past 50 years, making them the longest-serving tenants in the block.

The couple told the LDRS that, despite their reluctance to move, they would consider a decent alternative offered by the council.

However, since they learnt of the plans to demolish Harlech Tower, Terry revealed that the council still hasn’t told them where they’ll end up.

The 77-year-old claimed that although the building was approaching the end of its life, there had been no problems until the council refurbished it 15 years ago.

He added: “Since then we have had loads of it… and when you make complaints to the council, they aren’t forthcoming.”

The demolition of Harlech Tower will clear the way for 3,500 new homes to be built on the estate as part of a project worth an estimated £850 million.

The removal of the block is set to start by 2027.

The council added that the move to demolish the ageing tower block will generate twice as many affordable homes.

The decision to replace the iconic tower with a new building stems from a series of faults identified within the block, according to the council.

In contrast to the residents expressing disappointment over the demolition plans for Harlech Tower, the council stated that most tenants in the building have welcomed the “regeneration program” and have chosen to request a new home in the redeveloped estate.

The council added: “Any residents who decide they do not wish to take up one of the newly build homes on the estate will be moved into a suitable home which meets their needs within the borough.”

The Sun has contacted Ealing Council for comment.

Over two thirds of advisers (68%) have said their firm is looking to grow by taking on new clients.

This figure is up from 50% last year.

Meanwhile, 40% plan to grow by hiring new staff, nearly double the number in 2023.

The research by NextWealth, based on a survey of 340 financial advice professionals, also reveals fewer firms are looking to sell up or exit the profession.

This is despite the “constant drumbeat of news” about the consolidation of financial advice firms.

Nearly half (46%) of respondents said that their number of active clients has increased – up from just over a quarter (29%) in 2023.

Only 11% said they have fewer clients this year compared to 17% in 2023.

Most clients come from referrals, either from existing clients or professional connections.

However, larger firms – those with six advisers or more – are increasingly attracting clients from digital and traditional marketing, the research shows.

It also highlights the positive sentiment people have over a career in financial advice.

Over three quarters of respondents said they are “confident” or “very confident” in the future of their role when it comes to long-term career prospects (79%) and continued satisfaction with their current role and activities (77%).

Overall, 71% of respondents said they are confident in their firm’s ability to attract new clients.