These days, editing photos is equally as important as the shot you capture. And one of the most popular platforms to carry out post-production is Adobe Lightroom.
Many photographers save hours when photo processing by creating presets. But beyond enabling you to edit photos quicker, you can also share your presets with others—and potentially get paid to do it!
In this article, you will learn how to create presets with Lightroom and sell them online. You will also discover the best tips for promoting your art.
What Is a Lightroom Preset?
A Lightroom preset is a mask that changes how your photo looks without you needing to tweak all the different buttons within the app. It takes seconds to add to a photo and is great when you’re going for a specific look and feel.
Adobe has a variety of ready-made presets within both the Lightroom Classic and Creative Cloud apps. Some of these work great for pictures, but you will find that many aren’t well-suited to your unique style.
To tackle this problem, Adobe also lets users create their own presets. You can then add this to all of your future pictures to create a similar mood or consistent theme.
How to Create a Lightroom Preset
Creating a Lightroom preset is easy. Below is a step-by-step walkthrough on how to do this:
- Open the Lightroom Classic or Creative Cloud app, depending on your preference.
- Import your pictures into Lightroom, and make the edits you feel are necessary.
- Go to the Presets tab at the bottom of your screen.
- Click on the three dots in the top right. Then, tap on Create Preset.
- Give your preset a name and press Save.
When editing your photos, it’s essential to make sure that your post-production is not sloppy.
How to Export a Preset in Lightroom
After you save your preset in Lightroom, it’s time to export it to your computer or disk drive. To do this, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the saved preset, and select Export.
- Choose where you want to export the preset.
- Confirm your choice by clicking on Export again.
Where Can You Sell Your Lightroom Presets?
Before selling your presets, it’s a good idea to research your options and pick the best fit for you. Here is a list of some popular places to sell Lightroom presets, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using them.
Your Own Website
If you plan to create a website, or already own one, you can sell your Lightroom presets there and keep most of the money.
To sell your presets on your website, you’ll need to create a listing and work out how you will deliver the product. The easiest way to do this is by sending a file or downloadable link whenever a purchase is made.
The Pros of Having Your Own Website:
- People are coming specifically to you, meaning you don’t have to compete with others in a marketplace.
- You don’t need to pay marketplace fees, which can cause a notable impact on your profits over time.
- You’ll look more professional.
- Users will likely trust you more on your own website, rather than on a shopfront in an online marketplace.
The Cons of Having Your Own Website:
- If you don’t already have a large online audience, you may struggle to attract paying customers.
- Setting up your shop will take time and money.
- You’re going to need to learn a host of other skills, such as SEO and digital marketing.
You Should Consider Selling Presets on Your Website if You:
- Have a decent-sized online presence.
- Are willing to learn SEO and website-building.
Even if you don’t yet have a large online presence, it’s still a good idea to upload your presets to your online store anyway. Then, as you attract more followers, they can buy your products without you needing to do all of the setup work later.
Online Creative Marketplaces
If you don’t want to sell your presets on your website, you can pick from various online marketplaces instead.
Some of the most popular online marketplaces for creatives are:
The Pros of Online Marketplaces:
- You don’t need to worry about SEO, building an audience, or huge setup costs.
- Over time, your earnings will compound if you're a successful seller.
The Cons of Online Marketplaces:
- These websites take a sizable chunk of your earnings. You, therefore, need to sell more than you would if you used your own website.
- You’re not the only person on that website. If your style isn’t unique enough, you won’t stand out, and nobody will buy your products.
Online Marketplaces Are Good For:
- Users with no online selling experience, but want to understand how e-commerce works.
- Photographers without much time on their hands to set up their own online store.
- Users without a big online audience.
How to Promote Your Presets
Once you’ve created and uploaded your presets, it’s time to let the world know about your work. There are a variety of ways you can promote your presets. Here are a few options you can try.
1. YouTube
Although building a YouTube channel takes time, the platform is excellent for spreading your message as a creative. The audience is already there, meaning all you need to do is figure out how to attract them.
To promote your presets on YouTube, you’ll need to create valuable content first. Document your photography experiences and offer handy tips to others looking to take better pictures. You can also talk about how you made your preset and provide tutorials and tips on how people can create their own.
2. Instagram
As you might expect from a visual platform, Instagram is another good place to promote your Lightroom presets. The app has also taken more of a shift towards online commerce in recent years, resulting in more creators selling their products on there.
Like with YouTube, you’ll need to create useful content before you can sell your presets. When uploading pictures, talk about how you edited them and maybe even offer photography tips. You can also discuss what you learned and encourage others to join the conversation.
Besides standard posts, think about how you can use Instagram Stories and Reels to your benefit too.
3. Telling Your Friends and Family
Do you have friends and family who always wonder how your photos look so good? Well, they’ll know as soon as they’ve bought your presets.
When selling presets and other items online, your immediate circle is a great place to start. Even if they’re not too interested in photography, they’ll still want to support you. Or, they might know someone who is into taking pictures and will refer you to them.
Share Your Art With the World
Lightroom presets are a great way to streamline your photography workflow, but you can also use your edits to help others. There are plenty of places to sell Lightroom presets online, each with unique advantages and disadvantages.
To successfully sell your presets online, make sure that your style is unique enough for others to pay attention. And before you begin pushing your presets, remember to provide lots of free content. Then, people will be more willing to buy your products.
