Taking the plunge!

[NessIllustration]

I've been saying for a while that I want to offer business advice to illustrators through a Youtube channel, an online course, portfolio reviews, etc. But I've been putting it off for ages because it's such a scary prospect!

I've recently done a test run, a portfolio review on Zoom with @coley and it went... rather better than expected! I enjoyed it so much, it truly is my passion and Nicole seemed really happy with the advice she got as well. It gave me the courage to take the plunge and start setting things up!

I've set up a Calendly page where people can schedule a portfolio review with me! They are $97 and take me roughly 3 hours of work - 2 hours to go over the portfolio and take notes, and 1 hour to do the actual Zoom meeting.

If you're curious, here is my link: https://calendly.com/artbusinesswithness

I'm really impressed with Calendly so far! Their interface is very slick and intuitive, it takes just a few clicks to schedule a meeting and there are automated email reminders sent out. It's a cool platform!

I'm super nervous, but also really excited about this new adventure!

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@NessIllustration Awesome! You know, I've also been thinking of having a youtube channel. Maybe I can interview in the future?

[NessIllustration]

@Nyrryl-Cadiz I think you'd be great at Youtube!! I'm scared of being on camera so it'll be a work in progress for me, but isn't it exciting and scary in equal measure?

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@NessIllustration I agree, it's very daunting. If ever I make a youtube channel, I'll probably just post speed paints without my face and possibly artist interviews every now and again.

[Jeremy Ross]

Congratulations @NessIllustration! Based on your solid advice in the forum, your YouTube is sure to be a hit! Portfolio feedback sounds like it’s right up your alley!

[NessIllustration]

@Jeremy-Ross Thank you Jeremy! I really love giving the advice so I'm really excited to be finally starting this!

[miranda-hoover]

@NessIllustration So very exciting! Congrats; it must have taken a lot of courage. Definalty let us know if you start a YouTube channel (same to @Nyrryl-Cadiz and anyone else!)

[NessIllustration]

@miranda-hoover Thanks dear, I will! I'm hoping to get it started this month!

[Coley]

YEs! Highly recommend if anyone is looking for a portfolio consult! I had a portfolio consult through the summer spectacular which seemed pretty good, but when I had Vanessa’s consult , the first one paled in comparison. This consult with Vanessa really made me see things through the eyes of a publisher, and it made me realize I was making myself sound like an amateur on my about me page, Vanessa gave me so much fabulous advice to sound confident and ready. As well as long and short term action items....the short term stuff I had done within two hours, reorganizing, editing, removing certain things, a domain name , I just ticked the boxes and then a day later I started sending out to publishers . The longer term things like more diversity , consistency in certain areas, and work on my backgrounds etc etc will take longer to really round things out. (Tho I’m focusing my next svs course to work through based on the feedback). But Vanessa broke everything into categories so things like consistency on my eye shapes etc were brought up. None of that was brought up with my first consult. Which I paid a lot more for than Vanessa is asking.
Anyhow, she really has a talent for this sort of broad analysis as well as the details of it all, and also communicating it. I’m sure I’ll get another one done by her in the future .
anyhow, I hope you get lots of work doing this @NessIllustration as I truly believe you have a talent for it!

[danielerossi]

I’ve been getting into watching other illustrators’ youtube channels. So much tips and advice including topics you never imagined (for example, using psychology to keep motivated). I’d love to add you all to my subscription list!

I’m also looking to post videos on YouTube as well.

[NessIllustration]

@Coley Ohh Nicole you are too kind!! I'm totally blushing! I'm so happy that you found your review helpful!

[NessIllustration]

@danielerossi That's so cool! Who are you watching on Youtube? What kind of videos would you like to make?

[chrisaakins]

@NessIllustration What a great idea! I will definitely be seeking out your services in the near future. I have already been taking your advice for building my portfolio site via Adobe. I would love to get your input on my work and breaking into the industry. Your advice is very helpful and very specific and practical. Thank you!!!!!!

[NessIllustration]

@chrisaakins Awww Chris, it would be my honor! Are you liking Adobe Portfolio so far?

[chrisaakins]

@NessIllustration i am! I bought my own domain name and everything. My portfolio is up but it definitely needs refining.

[NessIllustration]

@chrisaakins Doesn't it always haha... I just spruced up mine too! Constant struggle

[danielerossi]

@NessIllustration I’ve been watching videos by Kesh, Jazza, and @StudioHannah. For now, I think the only videos I can make are sketchbook flip throughs

[xin li]

I just want to share my appreciation for @NessIllustration. She is part of the reason that now I work as a full time illustrator. She encouraged me to sending out my portfolio, gave advice on how to plan a book project when I got my first book gig, and she also gave me a lot of advise on how to have a dialog with the agent after I got a representation offer.

Thank you so much @NessIllustration, and hope you enjoy the ride of breaking in this new adventure :-).

[ArtofJoseGalue]

This is great! Good luck with this new endeavor

[NessIllustration]

@danielerossi I'm excited to check them out, thanks Daniele!