How did you know?
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I just wanted to throw this out there and ask, since it is something I've been thinking about a lot lately and since there are many freelance illustrators working professionals on the the site I thought this would be a good place for it. The question I want to ask is how did you all know you were ready to take that chance and put yourself and artwork out there to attract clients/customers? I feel that there is so much that I need to work on to get 'good enough' and that I should put off showcasing my attempts until I get better. Did you all feel that way before taking the leap or do you, possibly, still feel that way after taking it? Just wanted to know peoples thoughts and stories on how or when they made that transition.
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I am so glad that you asked this question because I have wanted to know exactly the same thing. I would also like to know where is the best place to try and get business and what the steps are if you get a job from a self publisher. I would love to get some work but am so hesitant to try because I just am afraid I wouldn't know what to do.
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I didn't ever "know", but I did know that I would have to put myself out there at some point AND that I would delay it if I could. And I still only have a couple clients who ask me for work, so maybe I don't quite count.
What I did was set a due date for myself and make the commitment public. At the beginning of this year I said I would work hard and get a bunch of new pieces in my portfolio, and no matter what I felt about it, I WAS going to send out my first mailer in August. After I met that goal, I made a new goal to send out another mailer AND go to a SCBWI conference with a physical portfolio by February. Again, this was a public commitment. I'm pretty sure my husband is the only one who really remembers specifically that I've made these commitments, but just the idea that somebody knows and I might let them down if I fall through has helped me.
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Well, I'm really interested in what everybody that is actually working in the field has to say.
As for me, I always think I'm not fit for the work, and I've started professionally only about a year ago. I was working as a graphic designer, and I was still in university finishing my graduation project, but I applied to an internship to work as an illustrator for academic books. I was insecure and I had fear of the job, but being challenged in doing something out of my comfort zone made me realize I could do things I've never thought I could before, and this gave me strength to try a job that came after that in animation (a very simple project, in fact, but for me it was a huge leap).
Both these jobs as an artist I achieved showing pieces that were done for myself, during Inktober or as studies. Both jobs gave me a lot of challenge in their own way, but also courage and acknowledgement on what I'm capable of.
I know I still have a huge path ahead, I'm not that great as an artist, but the thing here is, I think we are not really prepared until we try. If we are not afraid, then there must be something wrong.
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@Ben-Rudnicki142 said:
I just wanted to throw this out there and ask, since it is something I've been thinking about a lot lately and since there are many freelance illustrators working professionals on the the site I thought this would be a good place for it. The question I want to ask is how did you all know you were ready to take that chance and put yourself and artwork out there to attract clients/customers? I feel that there is so much that I need to work on to get 'good enough' and that I should put off showcasing my attempts until I get better. Did you all feel that way before taking the leap or do you, possibly, still feel that way after taking it? Just wanted to know peoples thoughts and stories on how or when they made that transition.
I'd say go for it! Put yourself out there, you'll never know who will hire you. That's how I got my first client. We all learn as we go and each project comes with new learning experiences. I will never be 'good enough'. Get heaps of feed back and critiques from those in the industry and you'll get to where you want to be quicker. I'm not an expert or a pro, but I got six books to illustrate and I'm new to the industry and learning at a rapid pace. So just put yourself out there... it's scary, I know, but it's also fun too.
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Will Terry talked about this in some video, buuut dont know in which one :C But look at his youtube channel maybe you will find your answer.
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@JiÅ™Ã-Kůs said:
Will Terry talked about this in some video, buuut dont know in which one :C But look at his youtube channel maybe you will find your answer.
Okay, I found it. 'Am I Good enough to become an Illustrator by Will Terry.'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2Xd4cFtU2U -
I never know haha but I put myself out anyway. Well at least when I think I found a my style that i'm comfortable with and of course love doing.