Approaching Potential Client
Hi everyone, is there a professional visual artist here?
I've been unemployed for a year due to a layoff, and I'm starting over to introduce myself as an illustrator. I've gotten a few commissions, but they weren't in my usual style, and I'm having trouble generating income. I've tried entering contests, won one but didn't get paid, and I also offered my services to a team of illustrators whose work I often admire (their feedback was that maybe my work would be a better fit next year). One agency mentioned my work felt outdated, or they already had a team with my style and didn't need me. I'm losing confidence, and I'm tired because I've been job hunting with no luck.
(screenshot of my works)
I'm planning to send emails to many companies, but I'm unsure if my emails are good enough.
Can you give me tips or recommendations on offering my illustration services? Perhaps there's someone here who runs a business and is an artist, who can offer advice from different perspectives.
Thank you all, and I hope you're having a great day.
@newMeeee Try Fiverr that is a good platform it is a gig platform but if you market yourself it can work well.
Basically persistence pays off; going through noes and rejection happens to all job hunters!
Good luck!!
@newMeeee Another avenue is tables at art festivals. I had an artist buddy actually make a living off festival and trade show booths. Experiment see where your niche is!
@newMeeee
Hi! You are a great visual artist! Your artwork is awesome!
Crazy idea: you might consider expanding into videogame concept artist, particularly for indie visual novel developers like Journey, Dordogne, Season and those of Anapurna.
But also big companies and all kind of games from fantasy RPGs to phone games.
For example: https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=game+concept+artist
@newMeeee
You can update your portfolio and participate in any events that can involve art. Maybe in your community there are people looking for mural artist? Sign up for anything that can improve your CV. Also maybe get critiques in your work to improve. Because even though your work is good there is always room for improvement. Just put your artwork out there in your community. Post it online and grow your account. Just stay consistent and you will see change. Best of luck!!
@ivoryAcai80 yes community art fair, offer to help paint a mural it is those connections that often turn into work!
@newMeeee
Hey, it seems you're being really proactive at trying to get your artistic career off the ground and I commend you for that!
My first thought would be try out Redbubble. It's super easy and free to use. You upload your artwork and choose your mark up %. Redbubble does all of the work for you, so someone can order your artwork on so many items, including as prints. I've made a decent amount of money from the site, it's an excellent way of making passive income. You only need one successful design to get a regular income, I make at least £1-£10 a month from it, though you definitely cannot live off of it unless you had hundreds of successful designs on there.
Secondly, I recommend creating a ko-fi profile. |It's free to use. It offers memberships like patreon but you also have a gallery to showcase your artwork, can offer commissions and have your own little shop too! You have to share your profile as much as possible to get any traffic but over time, it's worth it and you may get some fans of your work who are willing to support you monthly, or at least buy prints or commission you through it.