Thank you for these! The last point about social media is especially helpful to me- it’s easy to get discouraged chasing the numbers, but I love how you put the focus on relationships.
Thanks Annie! We are all trying our best to ignore the numbers but I admit it’s hard sometimes🥲 We just need to keep reminding ourselves those numbers do not define our abilities and quality of work we created!
That’s not a silly question at all—thanks for asking! Normally, I start by doing some research on them. I Google their name along with the word “illustrator” (for example, “McDonald illustrator” or “Starbucks illustrator”) to see if they've worked with illustrators in the past. If they have, you’ll likely find illustrators' websites in the search results. You can also dig deeper into their website and social media accounts to check for any past collaborations with illustrators.
If their have worked with illustrators before, I would put them in my potential client list! Hope this helps! 😊
Thank you, Amber, for such a wonderful post! I'm just starting my career as a professional illustrator. I've been painting for as long as I can remember, but only now have I decided to take myself seriously and registered my business in August 2024. I can sign up for everything you've written, and it's a great relief to me to realize that it's not me who's broken / loser , I just believed in these myths before I started turning my hobby into a career. There are so many things that happen behind the scenes of building an art career, and there aren't many artists who are willing or have the time to share these facts: it takes time to build an art business, and it's not just calming painting sessions in cozy studios. ❤️ I especially liked the part where you talk about the price for the artwork, it's so eye-opening! 😌❤️
Thank you for these! The last point about social media is especially helpful to me- it’s easy to get discouraged chasing the numbers, but I love how you put the focus on relationships.
Thanks Annie! We are all trying our best to ignore the numbers but I admit it’s hard sometimes🥲 We just need to keep reminding ourselves those numbers do not define our abilities and quality of work we created!
Great post, Amber! All excellent points, and especially love the small, concrete action steps for each one 👌✨Thanks for sharing ☺️
Thank you Anny! This means so much to me☺️☺️
Thank you for the tips..
I gathered some courage to ask you this question which might sound silly.
What is a potential client? Like how do you know that they might need an illustrator or some art from us?
That’s not a silly question at all—thanks for asking! Normally, I start by doing some research on them. I Google their name along with the word “illustrator” (for example, “McDonald illustrator” or “Starbucks illustrator”) to see if they've worked with illustrators in the past. If they have, you’ll likely find illustrators' websites in the search results. You can also dig deeper into their website and social media accounts to check for any past collaborations with illustrators.
If their have worked with illustrators before, I would put them in my potential client list! Hope this helps! 😊
What a great post! I relate so much to all of it – will definitely try a bigger sketchbook, that's a great idea to work more freely!
Thank you Signe! I’m glad that you relate to them. Yes, definitely try a bigger sketchbook, it works for me!
Thank you, Amber, for such a wonderful post! I'm just starting my career as a professional illustrator. I've been painting for as long as I can remember, but only now have I decided to take myself seriously and registered my business in August 2024. I can sign up for everything you've written, and it's a great relief to me to realize that it's not me who's broken / loser , I just believed in these myths before I started turning my hobby into a career. There are so many things that happen behind the scenes of building an art career, and there aren't many artists who are willing or have the time to share these facts: it takes time to build an art business, and it's not just calming painting sessions in cozy studios. ❤️ I especially liked the part where you talk about the price for the artwork, it's so eye-opening! 😌❤️