It's Monday and I'm feeling sad. A perfect combination to sit down and write a long-read with a question. You are probably reading "New" section of HN out of boredom, let me try to entertain you and ask some questions along the way.
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Some background first.
I've been working as UI/UX/product designer since ~2000, and I taught myself everything I needed to develop a personal website - https://vlad.studio - including html/css/js/php/mysql/bash. Soon after, I started selling access to "premium" content of Vlad.studio (the definition of "premium" has changed multiple times, as well as business model - 4 different plans, then yearly subscription, etc - currently it's simply one-time purchase).
In 2010s, I was "freelancer" (read - no "real" job) and there has been a couple of years when Vlad.studio accounts were my main source of income (2000-3000 USD/month). Good old times! Then, one thing led to another, I got kind of depressed, then got swamped in a stressful job, then another one. Until maybe 2019, the website was almost abandoned.
Recently, with only some part-time projects, I'm feeling the need to breathe more life into the old friend of mine. Vlad.studio has always been special for me - a place to express myself, a place where I have no lack of positive feedback of my art. This is truly inspiring!
The profits, however, are less and less. Which leads me to my question:
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Is it even possible to turn such personal hobby website into a stable business?
I've been reflecting about whan makes people send me real money. My main theory is - a user has been enjoying my art for quite some time, and at some point, they buy an account to show appreciation (similar to Patreon, Buymeacoffee, etc).
There is no real "value", however. I'm not an app. I do not simplify your workflow or make you more productive on a daily basis.
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Some ideas I am considering:
1) add more features. What features? I feel I already have plenty. You can send any picture as an e-card (almost not used), play a puzzle, set as facebook cover. I recently introduced a New Tab extension for Chrome, as another way to deliver my art to my users' screens. I use it myself and find it useful, but it's not enough :-)
2) change business model (again). Bask to monthly/yearly subscriptions? I'm not sure I can justify them. Unless I publish a picture a week, maybe.
3) start spending money on marketing. I have never spent a dollar on marketing before! Was it a mistake? Is it too late? Maybe. In 2010s, vlad.studio was #4-5 result on Google when you searched for "desktop wallpapers". Those times are long gone.
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Some stats if you're curious: Vlad.studio receives ~1000 visitors daily, and the average income for 2021 is $360/month.
P.S. Thanks for reading this. I guess I'm reaching out to HN community because that's the one website I read daily, and I almost always skip the links and read the comments instead.
I think your "value" is inspiring people with your art, and the challenge is bringing your art to an audience more conveniently than they can from your website. A second challenge could be providing your art in more convenient or unique formats.
One thing I could think of is printed versions of the artwork, such as on T-Shirts, coffee mugs, and other things, even cards for special occasions. It's a way for people who enjoy and identify with your art to make it part of their personal self-expression.
What about a windows or mac desktop application for automatically setting up a desktop wallpaper with the latest one on your website, with a subscription fee. It makes it more convenient, and gives something to think about each week. I always really enjoy the Windows Wallpapers on the lock screen. This could be kind of similar.
Have you thought of iOS Wallpapers that could be sold as an app on the iOS app store?
Each one would definitely take a lot of time, but hopefully one of them might be useful.
I'd watch you drawing!