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Hi Mark!

I think there are few things to mention here. First off there are many illustrators doing all sorts of different styles. One thing to keep in mind: it’s not always the most talented that gets the job but the one who yells the loudest with big persistence and a “I wont take no for an answer” type approach.

Also, I do think that the markets you are discussing is licensing & packaging. If that is a market you want to pursue then do your research. Look up Licensing agents & companies and arm yourself with as much information as possible.

Lastly, if you feel you maybe looking in the wrong spots then determine what market or markets you would like to pursue then go from there. It will help narrow your research effort down a bit.

And yes Thomas, how do you get your pic on this thing? (Good question) :)

Cheers!

Hi Nic!

There are a few approaches here to consider. First off, when meeting with client have a illustration check list. Jot down as much information as possible about said project. If money needs to be discussed in this meeting then ask what budget they are thinking. Write that down. If you need time to come up with a quote then you will have all the information on a sheet to refer to. Never feel pressured to give a number right away if you are not comfortable. Also, when you all in agreement of the project, the price and time frame you will need a Letter of Agreement/Contract. From there you will progress into the idea stage/ roughs/ final roughs and then work on the final piece. All this revolves including the client in all stages that way everyone is in agreement. Keep in mind-Clients don’t like surprises so make sure you include them in the process. It helps to build a great creative relationship. Hope that helps. Cheers!

Hi Marcus!

I think this is a tough one for many including myself. I do think it helps to have a number in mind. What would your average hourly fee be and why? Do you know how long it takes to come up with roughs/sketches on an average project? Also I do believe that having a yearly fee idea helps because it makes you take a look at how you will get to that number. So if you want to make $50,000 a year-how much will the average month be? Doing it this way makes it easier to wrap your head around such a daunting thing as money. I know some illustrators who charge $50 an hour and some who charge $75 an hour. Both work differently and in different markets. If you have a number that works for you, know how to back it up and throw a little explanation their way. Again, it helps you feel comfortable and your client feel comfortable and less shocked! Plus, also it helps build a relationship with your client. Check out the books- Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines & The Designer’s Guide To Marketing And Pricing: How To Win Clients And What To Charge Them by Ilise Benun and Peleg Top. Hope that helps some. Cheers!

Clearly, I’d like to enter the contest, and thanks!!!!
I started to learn drawing some months ago using books and online resources. Actually sat down years ago to draw doodles from a cartooning book and liked it, so I had to try again. So I re-discovered my art bug. Now I’m interested in learning about illustration in all its forms. Sort of exploring creative expression, and would like to know more about the freelance aspect.

So you see, I don’t have much of an illustrator related item or anecdote to contribute, but I can tell you about my first big obstacle: time. Dayjob and family will take all of your day. Other than that, I’m slowly getting there. And I’m really enjoying the discoveries along the way.

I’m a beginner absorbing all the good advice I can find, and your interview was informative, helpful, and inspiring.
Thanks so much for sharing.
(checking out the show notes)

And btw: to get your picture to show up next to your comments, you have to have a wordpress.com account (with an avatar image uploaded) for the email address you use to leave comments then link them by signing in with the same email/pw combo over at http://en.gravatar.com

Like Thomas and most everyone else pricing was the most difficult thing to wrap my head around when first starting off. Ten years later it’s still difficult.

Pricing aside another question I still battle with is promotion, I’ve tried cold calling, direct mail, e-mail marketing, sourcebooks etc., all with mixed results. I have yet to discover that one thing that works best. There is probably no such thing. I imagine it’s just a little bit (or a lot) of everything. That and luck.

I’m curious what sort of promotional efforts work for other illustrators or if there is an avenue of promotion that I have totally overlooked.

Scott Serkland

Great interview with a lot of inspiring tips and resources, thanks!

My biggest question is how can I go about developing different styles and still have the client or audience remember / recognize me? I tend to like several topics and find that I have various styles for portraying different ones – for example, fashion vs. children’s illustration. I don’t want to be pigeon-holed into one particular style since I’d like to leave it open enough to be considered for more jobs. Any help?

Holly-

thanks for all the great replies to everyone. i’ve loved reading them and have learned quite a bit. cant wait to check out your book.

Thanks for sharing that method for getting a gravatar image. I think I’ll do a post soon to pass on this info so more Illustrators in the growing community can get an image to go with their comments if they want.

Thanks to everyone for their participation in this competition. And special thanks to Holly DeWolf for taking the time to address these questions. I hope you all find some valuable answers here. May it help you to move forward to all the future questions you will encounter in your career.