Now I have a present for you, the article you are going to gush will show you the Step By Step process that you did not ever get on this planet to Make Money With Photoshop.
These steps are new and are working in 2023
If you want to have a decent income coming in, by doing all work with your computer on Photoshop in your comfort zone, you will enjoy this article.
Let’s dive right in
Step #1: Master Photoshop Skills
You can earn nothing without skills. Skills are the way to deliver value to the marketplace through the exchange of money. The more valuable your skill is, the more value you’ll deliver.
And guess what?
The more money you’ll make
Photoshop is also a well-known demanding skill that everyone should learn.
Familiarize Yourself With Photoshop Interface
Understand the various panels, tools, and menus within Photoshop. It has a lot of features and tools and each tool has its importance and uses.
If you want to drive the car what would you do first?
You must understand first about steering, breaks, accelerator, etc.
Similarly, the first thing comes to learn is keyword shortcuts. For instance, to add a new layer press “Shift+N+Command” for Mac, and “Control+Shift+N” for PC.
That way you will make your work more convenient and enjoyable than before.
Here’s a table outlining some popular shortcuts for Adobe Photoshop on macOS and Windows:
| Action | macOS Shortcut | Windows Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| New File | ⌘ + N | Ctrl + N |
| Open File | ⌘ + O | Ctrl + O |
| Save File | ⌘ + S | Ctrl + S |
| Undo | ⌘ + Z | Ctrl + Z |
| Redo | Shift + ⌘ + Z | Ctrl + Y |
| Copy | ⌘ + C | Ctrl + C |
| Cut | ⌘ + X | Ctrl + X |
| Paste | ⌘ + V | Ctrl + V |
| Select All | ⌘ + A | Ctrl + A |
| Deselect | ⌘ + D | Ctrl + D |
| Duplicate Layer | ⌘ + J | Ctrl + J |
| Transform | ⌘ + T | Ctrl + T |
| Zoom In | ⌘ + + | Ctrl + + |
| Zoom Out | ⌘ + – | Ctrl + – |
| Fit to Screen | ⌘ + 0 | Ctrl + 0 |
| Fill with Background | ⌘ + Delete | Ctrl + Backspace |
| Merge Visible Layers | Shift + ⌘ + E | Shift + Ctrl + E |
| Group Layers | ⌘ + G | Ctrl + G |
| Feather Selection | Shift + ⌘ + F6 | Shift + Ctrl + F6 |
| Brush Tool | B | B |
| Eraser Tool | E | E |
| Move Tool | V | V |
| Crop Tool | C | C |
| Eyedropper Tool | I | I |
| Hand Tool | H | H |
| Marquee Selection Tool | M | M |
| Brush Opacity Decrease | { | { |
| Brush Opacity Increase | } | } |
| Brush Size Decrease | [ | [ |
| Brush Size Increase | ] | ] |
Please note that these shortcuts are based on the default settings for Adobe Photoshop and may vary depending on your specific version and configuration. It’s always a good idea to check the official documentation or customize shortcuts to match your preferences.
Learn The Basics
The foundation is the main element of anything. In our life, to build something (Skills, house, body) foundation is the core, likewise basics of Photoshop are the foundation to master Photoshop.
To build a foundation, master selection techniques. Learn the various selection tools in Photoshop such as the Marquee, Lasso, and Magic Wand Tools.
Learn the basic editing techniques such as cropping, resizing, and rotating images. And basic tools like healing brush, clone stamp, and Content-Aware Fill to retouch and remove imperfections from photos, Also about Photoshop cs6.
Try to filter images by given effects. Experiment with filters like blur, sharpen, and distor to achieve different effect.
Learn about different image formats and their appropriate uses such as JPEG, PNG, and GIF.
Know how image format affects image quality, especially when working with print or web graphics.
Watch Tutorials
You might know, you are living in the information age where information is free and easy to access. But only one thing has required The hunger to learn.
If you’ve got that, tutorial videos are for you.
In the video, the first platform that comes to our minds is YouTube.
YouTube has a lot of YouTubers who are experts in Photoshop. They are giving valuable classes from basic to advanced for free.
Whether you are a beginner or seasoned it will benefit you in both ways.
Here is the list of YouTube channels I found for you:
| YouTube Channel Name | Subscribers | No. Of Videos |
| PiXimperfect | over 4 million | 800+ |
| PHLEARN | over 2 million | 800+ |
| Photoshop Training Channel | over 2 million | 500+ |
| Photoshop Tutorials | over 1 million | 100+ |
| TutVid | over 1 million | 900+ |
| PhotoshopSurgeon | close to 1 million | 1000+ |
| Blue Lighting TV Photoshop | over 1 million | 800+ |
If you want to invest some money in paid courses, I won’t interrupt you
Here’re platforms to get paid courses:
- Udemy: Udemy is a well-known online learning platform that offers a wide range of Photoshop courses taught by instructors from around the world. You can browse through their extensive collection of courses, read reviews, and choose the one that suits your needs.
- Skillshare: Skillshare is a popular platform that offers a diverse range of creative courses, including Photoshop tutorials. It features courses taught by professionals and allows you to learn at your own pace.
- Coursera: Coursera partners with universities and organizations to provide online courses in various subjects. They offer both free and paid courses, including Photoshop courses, which are often part of specialization programs.
- LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn Learning provides access to a vast collection of video courses, including Photoshop tutorials. As part of the LinkedIn platform, it offers personalized recommendations and allows you to showcase your completed courses on your LinkedIn profile.
Here’s a Beginner Guide
Step #2: Identify Marketable Photoshop Services
From now, I assume you got better in Photoshop and practiced everything you wanted to understand and master.
In this section, if you tried enough things in Photoshop. You can evaluate your proficiency in different areas such as photo retouching, graphic design, digital printing, or creating social media graphics. By understanding your skill set you can confidently offer services to your potential clients.
Afterward, explore different industries and niches where Photoshop skills are in demand which include:
1. Photography
It can be divided into three categories,
- Photo Retouching (where you offer professional retouching services for photographers, focusing on portrait, fashion, or beauty retouching)
- Photo Restoration (where you restore old or damaged photographs for individuals, families, or historical archives)
- Product Photography Editing (which include editing services for e-commerce product image, ensuring they look appealing and professional)
2. Graphic Design
- Logo Design and Branding: Create unique logos and branding materials for businesses, helping them establish a strong visual identity.
- Print Design: Design brochures, flyers, business cards, and other marketing collateral for small businesses or event organizers.
- Social Media Graphics: Develop engaging visuals tailored for various social media platforms to help businesses boost their online presence.
3. Web Design and Development
- Website Mockups and Templates: Design custom website mockups or templates for web designers or businesses looking for a unique online presence.
- User Interface (UI) Design: Create visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces for websites or mobile apps.
- Responsive Design: Optimize websites for different screen sizes and devices, ensuring a seamless user experience.
4. Advertising and Marketing
- Photo Manipulation: Provide photo editing and manipulation services for advertising agencies or marketing campaigns.
- Digital Illustrations: Create custom illustrations for promotional materials, advertisements, or book covers.
- Infographic Design: Design visually compelling infographics to communicate complex information effectively.
5. Social Media And Influencer Marketing
- Social Media Templates: Design templates and graphics tailored for social media platforms to help influencers or businesses maintain a consistent brand presence.
- Image Curation: Assist social media influencers or businesses in curating and enhancing their visual content for a cohesive and attractive feed.
- Instagram Story Design: Create eye-catching and interactive story designs for Instagram, engaging the audience and driving user interaction.
6. Wedding and Events
- Photo Editing and Album Design: Provide professional editing services and design beautiful wedding albums for photographers or couples.
- Invitation Design: Design customized wedding invitations, save-the-dates, or event invitations that reflect the couple’s style and theme.
- Event Collateral: Create visually appealing signage, banners, or programs for weddings, corporate events, or trade shows.
Importantly, explore your target audience’s pain points. Think about which problem can affect them. For instance, small businesses may struggle with creating professional graphics for their social media campaigns.
As you offer your services, collect client feedback, and continuously improve according to their demand, this ensures your services remain relevant and marketable.
Read also: Unlock a Lucrative Future: Earn While You Learn to Code
Step #3: Build A Professional Portfolio
Now, Once you identify the photograph service you want to give after considering the factors I mentioned.
It’s time to build a professional portfolio that makes sure you are skilled and able to help your potential clients positively.
Start with choosing a collection of your best and most representative pieces that demonstrate your skills and expertise in Photoshop. For instance, display a series of ‘Before And After’ images that demonstrate the power of your Photoshop editing skills. Show the original image along with the final edited version.
After that, organize all your chosen work in a logical and visually appealing manner. Select the platform you want to showcase your portfolio which includes:
A Personal Website: You can create a dedicated website specifically to showcase your portfolio. In this way, you can get control over the presentation and allow you to add additional information about your services and background.
Online Platform: There are also popular online portfolio platforms like Behance, Dribbble, or Adobe Portfolio. These platforms have a built-in community of creative and potential clients as well as easy-to-use templates.
Choose a design that does not destroy your work. And accompany each project with relevant details such as a brief description, the client’s name (if applicable), and the objective of the project.
Step #4: Set Up An Online Presence
Online presence is the crucial aspect of reaching a wide range of clients and expanding networks with other Photoshop professionals.
Now, This is the next version of Step #3 where you increase the outreach and promote your portfolio work to a lot of people. Additionally, other effective ways are different and more advanced than before
Aside from your portfolio, create an account on popular social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. Share your work, industry insights, and tips related to Photoshop. Use appropriate hashtags to expand your reach.
Many Photoshop experts have their own YouTube channels, and blogs which allow them to maximize the number of clients and increase monetization strategies.
You can also create a blog or YouTube channel where you share tutorials, tips, and insights related to Photoshop. By establishing you as an expert you can have a loyal following too.
Another way for you is, to join online forums dedicated to design, photography, or Photoshop. Actively participate by answering questions, providing valuable insights, and engaging in discussions.
Encourage satisfied clients to leave sweet reviews and testimonials on platforms like Google My Business, Social Media, or Industries Specific Directories. Eventually, positive reviews build trust and credibility in you as an expert in Photoshop.
Step #5: Market And Promote Your Service
After setting up your portfolio and online presence. It’s time to promote it. I suppose you have read the above tactics. This section will open up opportunities for you to market and promote your Photoshop services.
Let’s know what’s it exactly
Attend local networking events, workshops, or conferences related to design, photography, or marketing. Engage in conversations to build relationships and also generate leads.
Use your satisfied and existing clients to enhance your reach.
How?
Offer them incentives to refer new clients to you, this can be in the form of a discount on future services, commission on referred projects, or other craft you know.
Another way without cost is, to collaborate with new professionals on projects that require Photoshop services. This includes making a partnership with photographers, web designers, or marketing agencies to offer bundled services.
If you want clients instantly, you need some money that includes Advertising yourself and your services in local newspapers, magazines, or industry specifically for the one who requires Photoshop services. Paid Advertising such as Google Ads, Social Media Ads, or Sponsored Content by guest blogging on your niche-related websites.
Step #6: Price And Negotiate
This is how you lay down the best price for your clients who can afford it. Price is the main thought your client considers before responding to you. And negotiating with the price is another base of your Photoshop services.
If you fall to implement this step you know what’ll happen.
First off, Walk the price structure your clients want. Understand the typical pricing range for Photoshop services in your industry and geographic location. Consider factors such as experience and the specific service you offer. Decide whether you’ll charge an hourly rate or a flat fee for your service.
Make sure to look at the given table to identify which is best for you.
| Hourly Rate | Flat Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | – Fair payment for time and effort invested | – Clear and predictable pricing |
| – Provides flexibility for project scope changes | – Clients know the exact cost upfront | |
| – Encourages efficiency and faster work | – Simplifies billing and accounting processes | |
| – Suitable for projects with uncertain requirements | – Can be more appealing to clients with budget concerns | |
| Cons | – Earnings can vary depending on project complexity | – May require careful project scoping to avoid losses |
| – Difficult to estimate total project cost upfront | – Limited flexibility for scope changes | |
| – May lead to disagreements over billable hours | – Potential for underpricing or overpricing | |
| – Can be challenging to track and justify time spent | – Not ideal for ongoing, long-term projects |
Now, this is important
Take into account your overhead costs, such as software subscription, equipment maintenance, and marketing expenses.
Moreover, let’s talk about how you can Negotiate with them
Prioritize understanding your client’s needs, budget constraints, and projector requirements. This’ll ensure you tailor your service and negotiate effectively
Whenever you negotiate, highlight your experience, portfolio, and track record of delivering quality work to demonstrate your expertise and justify your pricing.
Also, be open to negotiating and willing to adjust your pricing or services within reasonable limits.
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Step #7: Deliver Excellent Service
Without providing excellent services, you can never win in this game, no matter how better your service and price are.
You may think, there’s nothing to know about providing excellent Photoshop service. But that’s
When you conceive these key strategies you’ll be able to build strong relationships and be satisfied with your services.
When it comes to delivering excellent service, you need to maintain open and clear communication with your clients. Remember, Communication is different from Negotiation (The purpose of communication is to exchange information, ideas, or emotions whereas negotiation is focused on finding a mutually beneficial agreement or resolving a conflict).
Respond promptly to messages, emails, or phone calls and provide detailed explanations when necessary.
Take the time to understand your client’s specific requirements and expectations. For instance, Suppose you are a professional who possesses Photoshop skills, and a new client approaches you with a request to change your image appearance, then instead of rushing into the project, take the time to understand their specific requirements and expectations.
Discuss their vision for the image including elements like photo manipulation, and using Photoshop at a specific place on the image.
Whenever you are at work, practice active listening by paying attention to your client’s concerns, feedback, and preferences.
Additionally, Avoid overpromising or making unrealistic commitments. By setting clear expectations from the beginning you can manage client hopes and avoid disappointments.
Also, strive for excellence in your work and constantly deliver high-quality results.
Now It’s Your Turn
If you did read all the above steps to make money with Photoshop, you can make a decent income from your Photoshop skills, because you are a disciplined and focused one who can stand out from a lot of people
Now it’s your turn to execute the power of this guide and take consistent action until you win, so never be late
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