Many people are unaware of the money that can be made as a cosplayer. Cosplayers are people who dress up as their favorite character from any anime, manga, or video game and then post photos of themselves to social media. There are even companies that offer sponsorship for talented cosplayers.
Read more about the process, tips and tricks on how to make money as a cosplayer.
10 Ways to Make Money as a Cosplayer
There are many ways you can make money as a cosplayer. They include:
Costume Making
One of the most common ways to make money as a cosplayer is to create and sell your own costumes. There are many online tutorials that can teach you how to make your own costumes, and there are also many online stores where you can sell your creations.
Photo Shoots
Another great way to make money as a cosplayer is by doing photo shoots. You can charge by the hour or by the number of photos taken. You can also create your own website to host these photos and charge a fee for viewing them.
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Conventions
If you are looking to cosplay as a hobby rather than a job, one of the most important parts is going to conventions. There are many different conventions throughout the year that offer fantastic opportunities to meet with fans and spend time with other cosplayers.
Some conventions will even feature contests where you can win cash prizes for your cosplay.
Performances
Another way to make money as a cosplayer is by doing live performances at venues, fundraisers, or corporate engagements. This can be especially lucrative if you’re able to find clients that are interested in having you present at multiple events.
Video Tutorials
Do you have a lot of knowledge about cosplay? Why not make a video tutorial and charge for your advice. There are many people who would be willing to pay for your knowledge.
Give Classes
Do you have a special skill or talent? You can give lessons to other cosplayers, whether it’s sewing, props making, etc.. You can put up fliers at local anime and video game conventions or set up a website to take online bookings.
Patreon
This is a site that allows fans to support their favorite artists by becoming patrons. You can make your own page, upload content, and leave rewards for different tiers of donations. It’s actually pretty popular among cosplayers right now.
Sponsorship Deals
Do you have an impressive following online? Why not find companies that would be interested in sponsoring you? This can be a great way to make some extra income, but it won’t likely be your main source of income.
Hang Out with Fans
If you like to meet your fans, why not make some money off of it? Some fans are more than willing to pay for the privilege of hanging out with their favorite cosplayers.
Sale of Personal Cosplay Photos
Last but certainly not least, one of the easiest ways to make money as a cosplayer is by taking personal photos in your cosplay and selling them online. There are endless opportunities for this kind of work, so it’s best to try and think outside the box when it comes to how you can utilize this for your own benefit.
No matter what kind of cosplay you’re into, there are always opportunities to make money as a cosplayer as long as you have the right attitude and work ethic! In fact, many people who cosplay as a hobby end up getting paid to do so. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy yourself.
How to Start your Own Cosplay Business
If you want to start your own cosplay business, there are a few things you need to do. First, you’ll need to create a business plan and make sure your business is legally registered.
You’ll also need to set up a website and social media accounts and start marketing your business. Finally, you’ll need to create some amazing costumes and start attracting customers.
Let’s break this down into three easy-to-follow steps:
Create A Business Plan
The first thing you need to do is create a business plan. It will help you figure out the nuts and bolts of your cosplay business, like how much money you’ll need, how many costumes you’ll need to make, and how you’ll interact with your customers.
You should start by listing all of the items that you’ll need to open a cosplay business, like costumes and sewing machines. Then figure out how much each item will cost, and add those costs to your total investment.
Next, think about how much time you have free each week to work on cosplays. If you only have a few hours a week, then maybe a part-time business is best. You can even consider finding a partner who can help with some of the work.
After that, write a mission statement. It should state what you hope to accomplish with your business and what kind of clients and costumes you’re looking for.
Set Up Your Business Legally
Now that you’ve got the basics of your business down, it’s time to register your business legally.
In order to do this, you’ll need a website. Since you’re just starting out, your site doesn’t need to be too fancy or complicated. You can set up a simple WordPress site for free or buy a domain name and hosting for around $50.
The next step is setting up your social media accounts. It’s no longer enough to just have a website; you need to be on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and any other relevant social network that cosplayers use.
Once you’re set up, make sure you post regularly (at least once a day) so people will know you’re an active business.
Start Marketing Your Business
Now that your website is set up, it’s time to start marketing yourself. To do this, you’ll want to head on over to your local comic book convention and start handing out flyers with information about your services. Or perhaps you could start an online giveaway or contest on your Facebook page.
Cosplay is all about interacting with fans, so don’t be afraid to ask them for feedback and tips. Social media also gives you the great opportunity to share some of your work in progress, which can help build up hype around your business.
And there you have it; the basic steps for starting your own business as a cosplayer. All in all, you can follow these instructions and start earning money yourself.
On a separate note, to collaborate with cosplay models, you can get in touch with SnowDragon via Instagram.
