It's tough out there. Making money is hard for just about everyone, especially artists. If you're among the thousands of artists who still have a day job, consider yourself fortunate. If you're among the thousands of artists who still have a day job and are still broke, consider using some of that creativity to find new and exciting ways to put a few bucks in your pocket.

A great deal of your effort can and should go into getting your art in front of people and keeping it there. The more people see your art, the better chance you have of selling it to someone. Hanging work in galleries and coffee shops are standard steps. And while gallery showings and other venue offerings are nice, nothing will help you make a connection and sell some art like making personal connections with potential buyers.

If you have a skill worth teaching, and you have the knowledge base and instructional capability, try holding a class at a place where art buyers are likely to be dazzled. Make connections with local museums, which often have classroom space available - though often for a fee. If the fee thing kills it for you, hold a class on a nice day at the park, or at an exotic spot you have access to for free.

If you don't have teaching skills, but know enough about art history, art theory, or have knowledge of works or collections at local museums or galleries, offer to take people on a tour. Take them to obscure galleries or art spots. Take people from your home town to a neighboring town that has a sweet gallery or museum. Be sure that you have something to say - offer an interesting perspective on the work you're dragging people out to look at. Offer a unique take - preferably on work that inspires you. That inspiration is infectious, and will get people inspired about the work, and about you. Charge a nominal fee - enough to cover your expenses and maybe have a little left over. Even if you don't make a ton of cash, you'll make personal connections with people who appreciate art. And those people will remember you, appreciate you, and will be more likely to come to your next show - and will be more likely to buy some of your work.

If you're like most artists, you have a pile of finished work lying around. It may be left over from a previous show, or it may be a one-off left from an event. Whatever it is, get it out of your studio, where it doesn't do anyone much good, and get it in front of people. Offer to hang it for free at a local hotel, restaurant, coffee shop, retail store, furniture store or doctor's office. Go for places where people who appreciate art might show up. Even better, put it in a place where people may appreciate it and buy it. Don't forget to put your business card or contact information next to it. And don't forget to keep track of where you hung it, and make sure you don't leave it in one place for more than a month.

More on creative ways to boost your image next week.