Starting my freelance career in 2018 was too easy - sent a couple cold emails and projects came flooding in. 2024 is a whole different story. The market is way tougher than a couple years ago. Good luck to the beginners out there.
Great content as always! It may also be worth mentioning that many agencies will ask for a list of previous clients you've worked with as you sign. The idea here being that the agent won't take a fee for any future work from these clients as you're done all the work in order to bring them onboard. If you take the time to have a few excellent clients under your belt before working with an agent you ensure that you retain all the income from the work you do with these clients in future rather than splitting the money with your agent. Not that paying your agent is bad, they do valuable work, but I'd never turn down more cash in hand.
I'm starting in illustration now, and I really feel like I absorb too many styles, techniques, and skills at once, and I experiment too much, and this feels overwhelming. Sometimes, we should slow down and just use what we know. Thank you so much for the video, motivational though calming ❤
Thank you for this video! I’ve just had an email from illustrators agency. I have only one year of experience with children’s books, but already illustrated several books from clients I found by myself, and I’m not sure what to expect from work with agency. Need to think about it more.
Well i'm sure you've learned a lot in the process of working on those projects by yourself... Maybe now is the perfect time to try out working with an agency!
Consistently the most helpful illustration biz content on TH-cam! Thanks for this. I have been working with clients for a while now, but almost all of them are local to my area (individuals, bands, local businesses, etc.). I feel that I'm doing good work, but I fear that because I don't have any big, recognizable names in my resume, agencies wouldn't be interested in working with me. Do you think this would be the case?
Yes, possibly. Bands and local businesses aren't typically the kinds of clients agencies are going after, so maybe you can try and expand your reach first.
Sane advice for beginners! When I started my career more than a decade ago I thought I needed an agent to get clients, because every illustrator I was following at the time had one. At least that's not the case anymore, these days most illustrators don't have an agent. Or maybe the people I follow don't have one, it can be a genre-specific thing. I am considering getting an agent for the last couple of years, but the majority of illustration agents are only working with children's book illustrators. Any tips on finding an agent if you are not a children's books illustrator?
Oh sure! There are lots of agencies not specifically focused on kids books. Here's a mixed list: theillustratorsguide.com/illustration-agency-submissions/
Similar thing happened to me this year! They reach out to ME, invite me to submit my portfolio. Then say I’m not good enough and suggest I sign up for their courses…
Starting my freelance career in 2018 was too easy - sent a couple cold emails and projects came flooding in. 2024 is a whole different story. The market is way tougher than a couple years ago. Good luck to the beginners out there.
Wow! i never heard anybody say it was that easy! Good for you! but yes, it is tricky these days
Great content as always! It may also be worth mentioning that many agencies will ask for a list of previous clients you've worked with as you sign. The idea here being that the agent won't take a fee for any future work from these clients as you're done all the work in order to bring them onboard. If you take the time to have a few excellent clients under your belt before working with an agent you ensure that you retain all the income from the work you do with these clients in future rather than splitting the money with your agent. Not that paying your agent is bad, they do valuable work, but I'd never turn down more cash in hand.
Great point!
I'm starting in illustration now, and I really feel like I absorb too many styles, techniques, and skills at once, and I experiment too much, and this feels overwhelming. Sometimes, we should slow down and just use what we know. Thank you so much for the video, motivational though calming ❤
I love this! There’s plenty of time!
Thank you for the insightful and actually helpful advice, I appreciate the quality of your content!
I appreciate you! Thank you for watching
Just what I needed to hear.
Amazing!!!! Always the video I need ❤
I love your videos! Great content! Thank you ❤
Thank you!
Thank you for this video! I’ve just had an email from illustrators agency. I have only one year of experience with children’s books, but already illustrated several books from clients I found by myself, and I’m not sure what to expect from work with agency. Need to think about it more.
Well i'm sure you've learned a lot in the process of working on those projects by yourself... Maybe now is the perfect time to try out working with an agency!
@@TheIllustratorsGuide thank you! I really love your channel, you’re doing such a useful content for illustrators 🙏🏼
Thank you!
Consistently the most helpful illustration biz content on TH-cam! Thanks for this.
I have been working with clients for a while now, but almost all of them are local to my area (individuals, bands, local businesses, etc.). I feel that I'm doing good work, but I fear that because I don't have any big, recognizable names in my resume, agencies wouldn't be interested in working with me. Do you think this would be the case?
Yes, possibly. Bands and local businesses aren't typically the kinds of clients agencies are going after, so maybe you can try and expand your reach first.
Sane advice for beginners! When I started my career more than a decade ago I thought I needed an agent to get clients, because every illustrator I was following at the time had one. At least that's not the case anymore, these days most illustrators don't have an agent. Or maybe the people I follow don't have one, it can be a genre-specific thing.
I am considering getting an agent for the last couple of years, but the majority of illustration agents are only working with children's book illustrators. Any tips on finding an agent if you are not a children's books illustrator?
Oh sure! There are lots of agencies not specifically focused on kids books. Here's a mixed list: theillustratorsguide.com/illustration-agency-submissions/
@@TheIllustratorsGuide Ah, thanks! I'll also check the community section of your website, it looks interesting!
Do you still offer portfolio feedback sessions? If you do, may I know how to apply for that and how much would your charge for the service? Thanks!
I do! Taking a little break for Christmas, but you can book at my website: theillustratorsguide.com
Thanks for this james
Any time!
Last time I applied to an agency they tryed to sell me courses... that is another kind of business using the dreams of artist.
i've never heard of that before!
Similar thing happened to me this year! They reach out to ME, invite me to submit my portfolio. Then say I’m not good enough and suggest I sign up for their courses…
that sucks!
Is the book suitable for children's book/ cartoon illustrators?
It’s not specifically written for children’s book illustrators, but there’s plenty of useful information you can apply to that pathway