Starting as a freelance illustrator in today’s market means you’ll have plenty of chances to test the waters and show off your abilities. There has been an increase in the need for skilled illustrators, and many businesses are eager to collaborate with up-and-coming artists.
In other words, what does a self-employed illustrator do? Independent artists working with customers to produce visual content are known as “freelance illustrators.” Cover art for books, digital graphics, animation character design, and advertising campaign images are all fair game for these professionals.
Even if you already have an impressive portfolio, you may still do numerous things to get hired for your first job or attract the attention of higher-paying clients.
The Step-by-Step Guide to Freelancing as an Artist
To become a freelance illustrator, you might take the following measures:
- Training and learning new things. Although a degree or coursework in a relevant field is only sometimes necessary, doing so can significantly improve your employability and career prospects. Look into programs and courses in illustration at local art schools, universities, and online resources. Utilize resources like seminars, workshops, and online tutorials to develop your knowledge base and career prospects.
- Put together a stockpile. Create a varied and carefully organized portfolio of your finest work. Showcase your versatility by incorporating images that showcase your work in different styles and covering various topics. Think about advertising your services on a freelancing website.
- Participate in relevant groups and communities. There are many benefits to being a member of a professional organization, such as an illustrators’ association or society. You can also network with other illustrators in your area, in your field, and online through social media, forums, and groups.
Becoming a freelance illustrator is a rewarding endeavor, and these ten suggestions can help you start on the path to success. We’ve produced a list of 7 tips to get your new freelance profession off to a good start.
- Schedule Regular Hours to Manage the Company.
Remember that you will manage a company if you choose this line of work. It takes more than just good drawing skills to succeed. Create some breathing room for your growing to-do list.
Schedule regular time for managing projects, handling paperwork like invoicing and budgeting, and seeking new illustration work. You won’t feel as buried in work and won’t have to stay late to finish everything.
- Recognize and Articulate Your Entire Worth
Clients who are actively looking for an illustrator do so because they have a clear need for one. Professional illustrators and their clients argue that the value of an illustration extends far beyond creating a single image.
If you want to start as a full-time freelance artist, one of the best things you can do is figure out how to serve a partner. There could be more services that you could provide. Help your clients by researching the best methods for using photos online. For example, you could show them how high-quality images boost e-commerce sales and search engine optimization (SEO) by keeping users on a website longer.
I want to tell you about a straightforward strategy employed by my illustrator to the tune of over $8,000 in sales. The key is to articulate the benefits of working with you, says Michael Dean, co-founder of Pool Research. What my new employee accomplished is outlined below. During our conversation on Upwork, he detailed all the methods he could use to assist me and improve my website for visitors. Before that moment, I had never given an illustrator’s work a second thought. Images were always a necessity and a top priority to store. Once you have your prospects’ attention, demonstrating such thoughtfulness will undoubtedly result in more sales for both of you.
- Create a Value-added Service from your Knowledge
When looking for work, it’s not uncommon to come across contracts where the work required to complete is outside the contract’s specified scope. The temptation to accept an agreement, knowing full well that more work will need to be done for free, is also vital.
Freelancers in the know advise you to resist the urge. Instead, leverage your expertise in the field to negotiate an expanded scope of work for your project. It’s essential to stand out as a valuable choice rather than a cheap one.
- Focus on Your Efforts
Once you’ve determined your overall design skills and those additional offerings, you can zero down on the areas in which you particularly enjoy and excel as an illustrator. Building a portfolio that resonates with your target audience is much easier when focusing on a specific field or specialization. In general, employers are looking for work that reflects their ideals. - Feel At Ease Making a Sale
When you’re self-employed, it can be tempting to put in long hours and prioritize productivity above all else. But you’ll need to market yourself and your services to make it a reality and guarantee you always have something to do. This can be highly challenging in fields like illustration, where much work is done in-house.
Get some reading, listening, and watching in. It would help if you looked for a piece that describes the sales process in a way that speaks to you personally. Find the one that works for you, especially if you’re a home worker.
Jennifer Willy, editor at Etia.com, advises writers to “get comfortable with the idea of promoting and selling your work.” Many people find it awkward and embarrassing, but you must push through it. If you let people see your work, they will learn about it.
- Look For Like-Minded Artists in Your Field.
Several people advised us to check out LinkedIn and Facebook to find freelance groups in our area and related to our field. People who use them solicit assistance when needed and disseminate opportunities they come across. If another freelancer, say a writer or web designer, introduces you to a customer, you have a better chance of getting hired. Interacting in these groups with other independent workers can boost your chances of getting a referral.
Grace Baldwin, a freelance content marketer, says, “As a freelancer, I often need help from designers and illustrators,” she would like to expand her network to include more reliable contacts. “Make an effort to connect with other creatives working in various fields; you never know who might be able to provide future opportunities for you.”
- Solicit Recommendations and Testimonies
Some freelancers experience a slow start as clients trickle in. If you already have a good rapport with a customer, or if they are eager to give a new freelancer a shot, you may be able to win a few bids. By requesting references and testimonials from any early client, freelancers can ensure that those early wins sustain long-term growth. Get references from places where you’ve volunteered your illustration services or where your work has been showcased.