What to Ask an Illustration Client Before You Price Your Artwork
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 พ.ค. 2019
- So you've gotten that long-awaited first email from a potential client who wants to pay you actual money to illustrate for them. Now what? What do you need to ask them in order to provide a professional, accurate estimate and be sure you're charging enough for your art?
In this video, I'll share my 5 top questions that I ask every client in order to quickly and correctly price any illustration job. Asking these questions up front helps me to estimate how much something should cost, and feel confident about the number I provide the client. I hope they're helpful for you too!
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Great video, Kendyll! Very insightful, and your years of experience show. As a freelance children’s book illustrator, I’ve learned to ask the same 5 questions to prospective clients, so these should fit any art-related job. Although, usually I ask questions 4 and 5 first, even before we have a discussion about how the artwork will be used or the size/number of illustrations (because it’s for children’s books, the number of exact illustrations will vary, but I know that it’ll probably be hundreds of hours of work-plus, if it’s a newbie client, they usually have no idea about the scope of the project). Many clients that approach me are not big publishers, they’re authors trying to self-publish a book. Personally, I believe that whether a book is traditionally published or self-published, it should be produced in the highest possible quality and I’m happy to work with either type of client - BUT a self-publisher usually has a MUCH lower budget than a traditional publisher and wants the work done in a tighter timeline. So having a respectful conversation right off the bat is extremely helpful for both them and me. If there’s a way we can both work within that budget and time frame, the conversation can continue. If what they can afford is not what I can accept for that type of project, perhaps I can point them towards another illustrator who may be willing to take on a low-budget project or help them in some other way. But I’ve learned not to spend too much time away from paying work communicating about a potential project that I know won’t work out. That’s my two cents. Wow, I sure can talk a lot! But hopefully this might help some fledgling illustrators who are looking to focus on book illustration rather than editorial. Oh, and one more thing: don’t be afraid to ask these questions! If you’re professional and tactful, the potential client won’t be offended; they’ll actually appreciate you bringing it up.
Well! That was insightful
Love this, thanks for the helpful tips!
Thank you! I really appreciate your "business advice" series. It is not only helpful, but also encouraging. You are making the editorial and commercial freelancing career look so possible to achieve!
This is so helpful, thank you so much ! All your videos are amazing, thank you for what you bring to us. Feel a bit less lonely in this whole freelance world 😊
Your videos are so helpful - thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and knowledge with us!
Very helpful information. Thanks for sharing!!
Honestly love watching your videos! I'm really interested in becoming an illustrator and I'm thinking about my college path and this chanel has taught me sooo much!
Thank you for such a helpful video x
thank u so much for the advice!!!
THANKYOUUUU SO SOO SOOOO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO. I needed this. This was realllly reallly helpful.✨
Thank you so much for this helpful advice! this happened to me too, I way undercharged and didnt' feel right to ask for more, but I'm still glad I got to work on it and it's definitely a lesson learned.
On lunch break at work and excited to watch this when I get home. I already know this video is going to prove super useful for myself and many others! Thank you!!
Can't wait to hear what you think!
This is a great video, thank you!!
Thank you so much, Ambar!!
Thank you for your helpful advice videos Kendyll! I just want to say it’s so nice watching you, you just seem so approachable and friendly and teaching/giving advice seems very natural to you. I’ve been looking up a lot of business/marketing advice stuff and while they are helpful and engaging, your more relaxed vibe just feels like a breath of fresh air. Sorry that was a little off topic but just thought I’d say it!
I agree those are great questions! But I personally think the very first question before asking anything about the project is to ask when a phone call can be scheduled, or meet in person if local. I've learned that communicating projects and money over e-mail isn't successful (for me at least) and can be cumbersome. I have a much better chance at closing when I "meet" them over the phone and just listen to them. It's a great opportunity to build a relationship right from the start and ask questions on the fly if something isn't clear. Then I know exactly what to put into the proposal and everything is pretty clear. That's just what has been working for me :-D
I don't know if you've touched on this before, but could you maybe do a video/give a talk on how to get over being afraid of negotiation? For those of us who are not that comfortable talking to people in the first place! Thanks
She's actually made this video now based on my question, so yay!
Content starts roughly at 5:00
Thanks, J P.
Hi Kendyll, do you have any tips for questions to ask to establish whether a potential client needs an illustrator or a graphic designer? I'm an illustrator starting out (no formal education in that area), and wonder what side projects I could reasonably say yes to and learn the skills as I go, and which would be definitely best referred to a graphic designer e.g. logo designs for web or print? Branding? I'm thinking of small clients who are setting up their own business, rather than clients with experience working with different types of artists. Sorry the question may sound a bit vague!
Hi Maddie! I'll answer this in next week's video! :)
@@KendyllHillegas thank you!
It's out of topic, but do you know that you look very lovely? ^_^