I take digital art commissions as a side gig/hobby to help with my bills between paychecks. They’re nothing fancy, just simple and affordable things, no more than $75 each, and I only take a few at a time (the number of which I announce when I open up shop) so I don’t overwhelm myself. 

When I clear out my current backlog, I post the finished work on my social media and give myself a few days of downtime, so I don’t burn out. 

I had just finished a small batch of commissions and posted them, and apparently someone had caught on that I’d finished the current backlog because I received a DM a few hours later from someone we’ll call Wannabe Streamer.

Wannabe Streamer: “Heyyy, saw your page and I LOVE your art! Was wondering if I could order something?”

Me: “I just finished up with some orders, so I’ll be opening up shop in a few days, but I can reach out to you when I do!”

Wannabe Streamer: “Welllll, why don’t I just tell you what I wanna order now, and you can save me a spot?”

I’ve done this for friends sometimes (they place an order and pay me when they get their paychecks), but never for total strangers. But I figure it can’t hurt.

Me: “Okay, I’ll save it and get back to you once I open up shop again.”

Wannabe Streamer: “You’re the best!”

They proceed to send me a very, VERY complicated order based on a video game I don’t play, which I know is well out of my skill level. Even if it was something I could draw, it would be way more expensive than my usual orders.

Me: “I don’t feel like I’d be able to do this to a standard that you’d like, unfortunately. I’m sorry.”

Wannabe Streamer: “But you said you’d do it!”

Me: *Internally.* “No, I didn’t…”

Me: *Externally.* “I said I would get back to you. Unfortunately, you’re asking for something out of my skill level.”

After a bit of back-and-forth, [Wannabe Streamer] settled for something a little simpler that I felt more confident I could do. It was still going to be more complex than my norm, though, so I would need time to price it accordingly.

Me: “Normally I don’t charge more than about $75, but this is going to be a bigger job than usual. I’ll need to figure out a price and get back to you, okay?”

Wannabe Streamer: “Um… price? Can’t you just do this for me?”

Me: “…no? They’re commissions, not requests.”

Wannabe Streamer: “What if I give you a shoutout on [Streaming Website] for doing this for me? I have tons of followers! You’d get SO much more work!”

I immediately knew what I was dealing with and knew that any potential sales had just gone right down the drain.

Me: “Sorry, but I’m not doing this for free for a total stranger. I do this for money.”

Wannabe Streamer: “It’s not gonna be for free! Think of the number of people who’ll order from you! One stream and you’ll be SWIMMING in customers!”

Me: “And are you going to be paying upfront for these hypothetical customers?”

Wannabe Streamer: “Why would I be paying? I’m giving you free exposure!”

At the magical “e” word, I just gave up.

Me: “Exposure doesn’t pay the bills. Sorry, I can’t help you.”

I blocked them after that, but just out of curiosity, I decided to take a look at this streamer. Their follower count was in the double digits at best. No wonder they were so cheap.

Related:
Will Not Be Influenced By The Influencer, Part 14
Will Not Be Influenced By The Influencer, Part 13
Will Not Be Influenced By The Influencer, Part 12
Will Not Be Influenced By The Influencer, Part 11
Will Not Be Influenced By The Influencer, Part 10