You know how to start cosplaying as a beginner. And you believe it can be more than just a hobby. That’s a true. But how to become a professional cosplayer?
That’s what we’re going to discuss in this article. With millions of fans around the world dressing up as their favorite characters, it can be hard to stand out as a professional cosplayer unless you know how to do it right.
So, let’s dive in to find the answer!
Why Become a Professional Cosplayer
Before we dive into how to become a professional cosplayer, let’s think about why you want to do it.
Is it about making money from your content as a cosplayer? Or does becoming a professional cosplayer mean turning your love for cosplay into a steady career?
You can get paid as a special guest at events, conventions, and parties. You can even sell merchandise, offer workshops, and receive donations on the platforms like Gank. Or you can collaborate with other cosplayers, artists, and brands to promote events or products.
We’ll let you decide. And as the global cosplay market is expected to reach $3.7 billion by 2025, you know there are many chances out there.
How to Become a Professional Cosplayer
Here are some steps on how to become a professional cosplayer that require effort, commitment, and strategy:
1. Define Your Goals and Vision
Before you begin working on how to become a professional cosplayer, it’s important to define your goals and vision. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What kind of cosplays do you enjoy making and wearing?
- What kind of characters do you want to portray and why?
- What kind of audience or market do you want to target?
- What kind of skills or services can you offer as a cosplayer?
Answering these questions helps you understand your goals as a professional cosplayer. So first, having some cosplay ideas is a good way to start.
2. Practice Your Craft
Being a cosplayer takes a lot of effort. You need to be creative and good at making or finding costumes. Plus, you also have to know how to put on a great performance.
That doesn’t mean you can’t focus on the closet cosplay niche. The key is to practice and improve your skills to attract bigger clients and earn more money.
Here are some ways to improve as a cosplayer:
Learn from Tutorials and Resources
Learn from tutorials, guides, and resources, whether online or offline if you want to know how to become a professional cosplayer.
You can find many cosplay how-to videos on YouTube, blogs, and books. Make sure to pay attention to those cosplay tips. Choose ones that are right for your skills, money, and what you like, and try using those ideas in your own costumes.
Attend Workshops and Classes
Attend workshops, classes, or conventions that offer cosplay-related classes or panels.
You can learn from experienced cosplayers, prop makers, seamstresses, or makeup artists, and network with other cosplayers. Look for classes that cover the areas you want to improve, such as sewing, wig styling, makeup, or posing.
If they show characters you think are too hard, just go with your favorite easy cosplay character instead.
Experiment and Innovate
Experiment and innovate with your cosplays. Try new cosplay materials, techniques, or concepts, and push your boundaries. You can also collaborate with other cosplayers or artists to create unique cosplays, or participate in themed photo shoots or videos.
3. Building Your Brand
To market yourself as a professional cosplayer, you must create a strong brand and image representing your values, personality, and skills. Here are some steps to do that:
Choose Your Cosplay Name and Persona
Choose a cosplay name and persona that reflect your style and character. Your name should be easy to remember, spell, and search for, and your persona should be consistent and authentic. You can also create a backstory or profile for your character to add depth and interest.
Design Your Logo and Graphics
Design a logo and graphics that match your brand and persona. Your logo should be simple, recognizable, and scalable, and your graphics should be consistent and appealing. You can use software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva to create your designs, or hire a graphic designer if needed.
Build Your Social Media Presence
Build your social media presence on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. Use your cosplay name and persona as your handle and profile, and post regularly about your cosplays, progress, events, or insights. Use hashtags, tagging, and networking to expand your reach and engagement as well as to help you better interact with your followers and fans.
4. Build Your Cosplay Portfolio
Once you’ve improved your cosplay skills, start building your portfolio. This is a must step on how to become a professional cosplayer.
A portfolio is a collection of your best work that showcases your skills and creativity to potential clients. It should highlight your standout pieces based on your cosplay types.
Some tips for building a strong cosplay portfolio include:
- Choose your best work: Select only your best cosplay creations to include in your portfolio. Quality is more important than quantity.
- Show your range: Try to include a variety of cosplay styles and characters in your portfolio to demonstrate your versatility as a cosplayer.
- Get high-quality photos: Invest in high-quality photography to showcase your costumes and props in the best possible light.
- Create a website or online portfolio: Build a website or online portfolio where you can showcase your work and make it easy for potential clients and collaborators to find you.
5. Earning From Cosplay
Now that you’ve honed your skills and are close to becoming a professional cosplayer, you need to know how to earn money as a cosplayer:
Social Media Sponsorships
Social media sponsorship is when you make money by promoting products on platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Companies pay you as an influencer to share their products with your followers, which helps them reach more people.
Paid Appearances
You can make money by going to events like comic cons and anime conventions. You can charge a fee to show up and compete. This is a popular way to become a professional cosplayer and earn from your appearances.
Selling Cosplay Merchandise
You can also make money by creating and selling your own merchandise, like costumes, prints, and accessories. Many cosplayers sell these items on online platforms like Gank.
Directly Monetize your Content
Another way to make money from cosplay is by monetizing your content on Gank. You can build a community of fans who pay for exclusive content or behind-the-scenes access. You can earn through donations, memberships, pay-per-view, and even by selling items online.
Teaching Workshops
You can make money by teaching workshops or giving presentations, too. Many cosplayers often offer classes on costume-making, prop-making, and makeup techniques, either in person or online.
Costume Rentals
Cosplayers can also earn money by renting out their costumes. Many people are interested in cosplay, but they may not have the skills or resources to create their own costumes. Cosplayers can rent out their costumes to these individuals for a fee.
Top Professional Cosplayers to Inspire You
Once you learn how to be a professional cosplayer, you’ll want to find some pro cosplayers for inspiration, right?
- Hakken is a professional cosplayer from Malaysia with many fans. He is known for his amazing costumes and excels at bringing characters to life, such as Gojo Satoru from Jujutsu Kaisen and Zhongli from Genshin Impact.
- Yuegene Fay is a top professional cosplayer from Thailand, known for his amazing skills and attention to detail in his costumes. For example, his cosplay of the Chainsaw Man character is awesome.
- Liui Aquino is from the Philippines and is a professional cosplayer, model, and actor. He is known for his Disney character costumes and Nobita.
- Kucheruk Olena, known as Pugoffka, is a skilled cosplayer and photographer from Ukraine. She specializes in creating striking costumes inspired by dark and vampire characters.
- Aza Miyuko is from South Korea and was part of the cosplay team Spiral Cats. She’s known for her incredible anime and game character costumes, which are highly detailed.
Conclusion
So you know how to become a professional cosplayer, right? Cosplay is indeed a fun and rewarding hobby that can also be turned into a successful career.
By choosing the right cosplay, creating high-quality cosplay, networking, and building your brand, anyone can turn their love for cosplay into a profitable career. Remember to stay passionate, creative, and dedicated, and you can achieve success as a professional cosplayer.
Can cosplay be a career?
Yes, you can make cosplay a full-time job, but it takes a lot of hard work. Many professional cosplayers earn money in different ways and might also do other jobs like making costumes or taking photos. To succeed, you need to manage your time well, make good connections with sponsors and clients, and keep getting better at your skills.
Can you cosplay for money?
Yes! You can earn money from cosplay in a few ways. You can sell merchandise like prints and accessories, get sponsorships, appear at conventions, or run crowdfunding campaigns. Some people also make money from Gank subscriptions, affiliate marketing, or YouTube ads.
How much do cosplayers make?
It depends on what type of cosplay you do and the brands you work with. A professional cosplayer’s salary can be very different based on their experience and popularity. Some might earn a few hundred dollars a month from sponsorships, while top earners can make up to $49,500 a year.
How do I get started as a professional cosplayer?
To get started as a professional cosplayer, building your skills and online presence is important. Start by creating high-quality cosplay costumes and posting photos on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Engage with your followers and network with other cosplayers and industry professionals. You can also consider attending conventions and entering cosplay contests to gain more exposure and experience.
What skills do I need to become a professional cosplayer?
To become a professional cosplayer, you’ll need to have strong costume-making skills and the ability to create captivating photos and videos. You’ll also need to be able to market yourself effectively and build your personal brand. Other important skills include networking, communication, and time management.
