This is so helpful - I'd started gaining some work as an illustrator and managed a couple of picture books, before having two kids put the breaks on it all a bit. I'm trying to get my stuff together to get going again but I feel like my brain is orbiting space! Thank you for the advice, so many golden little nuggets of info here!
It seems I've been doing things backwards then 😅 Website still has old school work but I've started working on social media stuff. Currently looking for the best ways to start looking like a professional online your videos are super helfpul!
Thanks Katie So helpful and inspiring to hear your advice on sharing work. I am feeling very inspired to make art work but less confident in looking for potential clients. I would love to over come this reticence. I had a previous career as a knitwear designer and also in education. Illustration is a new thing for me.
Great to see you on a video and a reminder of all the things to do! I've got my first illustrating and writing commissions - paintings and copy. Still keen to land an agent and will keep going! x
I'm a graphic designer but this popped up in my feed. I've been trying to get a freelance thing going before I have to get another in-house or agency job. I've been reaching out to local agencies and things but not hearing too much. Can I ask what kind of hit rate you get for emails to bookings? It's quite draining making high effort emails but not hearing back. Anyway, the video was definitely a great motivation and the tip about considering my potential client's thought process is really insightful.
Ahh hello! It all applies to graphic designers too - glad you’re here haha. It’s tricky to say numbers re: hit rate because A: I am notttttt a fan of the pitching method. B: I’m also shite at tracking numbers / working out percentages 🤣 If you’re treating it as part of a rejections challenge, then the more rejections the merrier. Good luck!
Hi! Thanks for the excellent video! I've been building my illustration portfolio full of new work I'm proud of and interested in but I had been wondering the best way to approach people for work, if i should do art liscensing, etc. I dont have a website or social media yet so great to hear its not all about social media content. Good luck with your window illustrating!
Yesss, get that website out there! :) It’s definitely not all about social media (although still definitely worth having, at least as a cross-checking tool for potential future clients ❤️)
Hi! Thanks for this video, I hadn't really thought about people actually finding me through my website, feels quite silly of me 😅 I guess also though there's a lot of competition that way, like an art director/publisher looking for children's book illustration, would find a lot of children's book illustrators via a Google search? I've sent out quite a few emails in the past, and it's not something I enjoy, but would do again, maybe in combination with trying to strengthen my search terms etc. on my website. :) I've been feeling quite lost lately with how to get more clients and what to focus on, maybe strengthening my portfolio or reaching out to more potential clients? And so I feel like I've not been doing anything 😓 Anyway thanks again for the video, it's food for thought!
Hi so I’ve got a bit of a dilemma here, I’m almost a year postpartum and haven’t created anything since I gradated summer 2023, I’m desperate to get back out there and start illustrating again but every time I pick up a pen to start my mind is soooo blank. Where do I start? I really want a career in design but finding this step impossible. Any advice or tips etc please let me know 💕
Step 1: be v v kind to yourself. 1 year post partum is still early days! Step 2: just pay attention to what kind of illustration work you see out in the wild and LOVE. Any time you love something, that’s a big clue 👀 Good luck! And pls squish your baby / don’t feel like there’s any rush (cos there isn’t)
I just want to say, you have a very pleasant way of speaking! This is the first video from you that I stumbled upon and you seem very warm and kind 😊
She's the best!
This is so helpful - I'd started gaining some work as an illustrator and managed a couple of picture books, before having two kids put the breaks on it all a bit. I'm trying to get my stuff together to get going again but I feel like my brain is orbiting space! Thank you for the advice, so many golden little nuggets of info here!
You’re welcome / so glad you found it helpful - the kid-work juggle is no joooooke. ❤️
It seems I've been doing things backwards then 😅 Website still has old school work but I've started working on social media stuff. Currently looking for the best ways to start looking like a professional online your videos are super helfpul!
Thanks Katie
So helpful and inspiring to hear your advice on sharing work. I am feeling very inspired to make art work but less confident in looking for potential clients.
I would love to over come this reticence. I had a previous career as a knitwear designer and also in education. Illustration is a new thing for me.
Great to see you on a video and a reminder of all the things to do! I've got my first illustrating and writing commissions - paintings and copy. Still keen to land an agent and will keep going! x
Thank you for sharing this, a nice little dose of motivation this morning 🌱
You're welcome! :)
Loved watching this. I appreciate the down-to-earth advice you give! :)
I'm a graphic designer but this popped up in my feed. I've been trying to get a freelance thing going before I have to get another in-house or agency job. I've been reaching out to local agencies and things but not hearing too much. Can I ask what kind of hit rate you get for emails to bookings? It's quite draining making high effort emails but not hearing back.
Anyway, the video was definitely a great motivation and the tip about considering my potential client's thought process is really insightful.
Ahh hello! It all applies to graphic designers too - glad you’re here haha. It’s tricky to say numbers re: hit rate because A: I am notttttt a fan of the pitching method. B: I’m also shite at tracking numbers / working out percentages 🤣
If you’re treating it as part of a rejections challenge, then the more rejections the merrier. Good luck!
Hi! Thanks for the excellent video! I've been building my illustration portfolio full of new work I'm proud of and interested in but I had been wondering the best way to approach people for work, if i should do art liscensing, etc. I dont have a website or social media yet so great to hear its not all about social media content. Good luck with your window illustrating!
Yesss, get that website out there! :) It’s definitely not all about social media (although still definitely worth having, at least as a cross-checking tool for potential future clients ❤️)
Hi! Thanks for this video, I hadn't really thought about people actually finding me through my website, feels quite silly of me 😅 I guess also though there's a lot of competition that way, like an art director/publisher looking for children's book illustration, would find a lot of children's book illustrators via a Google search? I've sent out quite a few emails in the past, and it's not something I enjoy, but would do again, maybe in combination with trying to strengthen my search terms etc. on my website. :) I've been feeling quite lost lately with how to get more clients and what to focus on, maybe strengthening my portfolio or reaching out to more potential clients? And so I feel like I've not been doing anything 😓 Anyway thanks again for the video, it's food for thought!
Hi so I’ve got a bit of a dilemma here, I’m almost a year postpartum and haven’t created anything since I gradated summer 2023, I’m desperate to get back out there and start illustrating again but every time I pick up a pen to start my mind is soooo blank. Where do I start? I really want a career in design but finding this step impossible. Any advice or tips etc please let me know 💕
Step 1: be v v kind to yourself. 1 year post partum is still early days! Step 2: just pay attention to what kind of illustration work you see out in the wild and LOVE. Any time you love something, that’s a big clue 👀
Good luck! And pls squish your baby / don’t feel like there’s any rush (cos there isn’t)