Finding and Keeping Clients

What is getting in your way of achieving the results that you want? 

Aad Goudappel - DirectoryofIllustration.com

How are you going about generating new jobs, finding new projects and keeping clients?  

Do you have laser focus in your efforts to do this? 

Jeff Huang - DirectoryofIllustration.com

Let's talk about this so we can get to the bottom of your stumbling blocks.

Ken Orvidas - DirectoryofIllustration.com

A lot of factors can help a motivated and talented person stay busy AND make a good living. Creative people need constant inspiration AND marketing...a way to keep their name and good works in front of those that can hire them.

Since each individual is just that - unique in their own creativity - there are different approaches for everyone. 

Often a portfolio review is a good place to start so you must be open to honest feedback and suggestions. Sometimes it helps to talk this out with a trusted professional.

I can talk this through with you and offer suggestions. I tend to ask a lot of questions to trigger ideas. This requires true introspection and commitment on your part.  

Wesley Bedrosian - DirectoryofIllustration.com

Here are a few things I ask a dedicated illustrator:

     ~ How do you market yourself?
     ~ Do you connect with past clients? When was the last time?
     ~ Is your current website relevant to the kind of jobs you want?
     ~ How do you get traffic to your website?
     ~ Do you know what industries your work is best suited for ?
     ~ Do you think like a problem solver?
     ~ Do you use time off, times when you have no pressure, to
          develop new creative ideas?
     ~ Have you found a mentor?

Marilyn Janovitz - DirectoryofIllustration.com

Your goal is to find good jobs and make money. I'd be happy to chat with you to cultivate opportunity and climb the ladder to success.

Marilyn Janovitz - DirectoryofIllustration.com

In order to grow your client base, you need to find a very good program with a proven track record and a great vehicle for promotion – and then stick with it!  Give art buyers and creatives time to get to know you!  You’ll find over time this will be your most rewarding course of action and you’ll begin to see your business growing.

 

Directory of Illustration is now being distributed - see Ken Orvidas' cover art plus inside illustrations

What a great way to start the new year – the Directory of Illustration is landing on creatives’ desks throughout January!!!! I’m posting Ken Orvidas’ cover art again along with the inside illustrations. This year’s theme is “Very, Very Visionary". Inside the book you’ll see “Eagle Eye”, “Eye of the Storm”, “Black-Eyed Susan”, Apple of My Eye” and “ButterflEyes”.

Year in and year out the book drives traffic to the site as does the monthly email blasts, the Illustration Voice e-newsletter, the 650,000 banners running on CA Magazines website, etc.

If you would like to talk about anything “illustration”…you know how to reach me. The door is always open to talk about your work.

Directory of Illustration 28. Cover ART by Ken Orvidas

I started working with Ken Orvidas over 10 years ago when I had the privilege to review his portfolio in Seattle. Ken has always been aware of positioning himself in the market to gain greater recognition. He knows the economic future will be populated by the movers and shakers who are poised for success. So in his own words..."Sometimes luck goes one’s way. So it did for me earlier this year when I was asked if I would provide a color illustration and five black and white illustrations for the new Directory of Illustration #28. I was also lucky to have worked with Dave Plunkert as the art director on this one. Dave suggested we try simple imagery versus complex and busy as we address the theme for the book, “very, very visionary”. So, the concept of “eye of the tiger”, “eagle eye”, “black-eyed susan”, “eye of the storm”, etc. was born. Since the cover image is now showing up in printed collateral as well as on the DI website I am able to publish it here. To see the black and white images you’ll have to nab your own copy of the book." Advertisers have already received their copies and reprints. Directory of Illustration 28 lands on 18,000 art buyers' desks mid-January. Read what artists and art buyers have to say about the Directory of Illustration