2024 Report:
Forecast for the Online Market Over the Next 5 Years

Hi! I’d like to share a snapshot of where things stand—and where I believe they’re headed.

This year, I took a big step and opened my own creative studio focused on anime and comics. I built a website and began preparing products: books, comics, and a course based on my drawing experience.

But here’s the thing—while anime is powerful in storytelling, it doesn’t always appeal to the business world. Many professionals still see it as unserious. So, I’m developing a second website tailored specifically for the business niche: clean design, visual solutions, and real branding work.

What I’ve Learned So Far

1. Not all platforms are equal.
Google Sites is fast and convenient, but unfortunately, it doesn't get promoted well in search engines. In contrast, my page on BuyMeACoffee got 800 organic views without any ads, while my personal website only received 400 in a month.

Honestly, personal websites aren’t trending right now—but I still believe in them. They give you full control and provide clear metrics.

2. Social media? It’s a swamp.
Once upon a time, social platforms offered free exposure. Now, they demand money while giving you... crickets. Instagram, for example, no longer rewards creators unless you're spending on ads. And subscribers? They’ve stopped growing. Since 2020, interest has sharply declined, and the cost per follower keeps rising.

To avoid looking empty, many creators now buy 3,000–10,000 fake followers. That’s the new normal. Content creators and social media managers are trapped in a loop of “algorithm hacking,” writing Oscar-worthy posts that still fall flat. The social media bubble is shrinking. Why waste your time and budget fighting algorithms?

3. Owning your website is freedom.
Unlike social media, your site is your world. You can offer visitors a beautiful, peaceful space and build a real fan base. I haven’t even connected my domain name yet, but I keep updating my first site while building a more professional version for B2B clients.

4. Email marketing is on life support.
I put time and care into writing personal emails, but most go unanswered—or land in spam. Meanwhile, scammers using outdated schemes somehow still find inboxes! ("Dear Sir or Madam..." Really?) It feels like part of the planet is stuck in the 1980s.

5. The market is flooded.
I spent the year building an audience, looking for illustration gigs, and testing ads (burning $20 more than once with zero results). I came up with new themes and visual styles, deleted 10 scam emails a day, and studied like crazy.

In total, I bought 101 books and 20 courses. Education matters if you want to walk into the market with confidence—instead of begging to be noticed.

But the online art world is packed. Each job gets 150 applicants. Remote work is no longer special. Since the pandemic, everyone wants to stay home—and competition is stifling.

And now we have AI shaking up the industry. While some developers replace artists with fast image generators, they forget: artists bring soul and atmosphere. They’re the reason people fall in love with a game.

My Forecast: The Next 5 Years

• Remote work will shrink. Only professionals and passionate creators will remain. Others will return to shops, offices, or factories.
  
  

• Social media will lose relevance. It’s oversaturated, full of noise and empty content. Audiences are tired.
  
  

• Niche websites will rise. Small, cozy communities will form around creators and brands offering genuine value.
  
  

That’s where I see opportunity.

What I Do
I create visual solutions for your projects—illustrations, game graphics, business design concepts, and story scripts.
If you're building something real, I’d love to help.

📩 Contact me via email or social media.
Let’s create something that lasts.