How to Become a Freelance Creative: For Illustrators & Graphic Designers
So, you're thinking about waving goodbye to the 9-5 grind and giving the freelance lifestyle a shot. Before you quit your day job, let's chat about some important things to keep in mind:
The Waiting Game
Freelancing isn't an instant money maker. It might take a while—maybe months, even years—before you're pulling in enough from regular commissions to fund your lifestyle.
Rollercoaster Months
Brace yourself for the freelance rollercoaster, often referred to as feast or famine. Some months will be insanely busy, while others might be extremely slow. Budgeting carefully helps you avoid cash flow hiccups.
Delayed Payday
Not all commissions pay right away. It depends on the nature of the project, how you’ve secured it - agency versus direct to client, and what the agreement was. You need to be ready to play the waiting game. On some projects it could take 1-3 months to see that final payment hit your account.
Now, these are the real-world challenges all freelancers deal with at some point. But don't stress! Here are a few tips to help weather the storm:
Your Side Hustle
While you may be ready to quit your day job, it’s best to have some sort of side income to carry you through while you build up your client base and reputation. This could mean saving a small nest egg to back your business, picking up part time work, or hanging on to the full time role you’re currently in.
Budgeting: Your New Best Friend
It's a good idea to save enough money to cover those slow months before making the leap into full-time freelancing. I always maintain a healthy buffer in my business to carry me through slower months. It provides the security of knowing that if I don’t have as many commissions in a period, I can still manage my outgoings. Put simply, when you’re in the feast phase of your business, make sure that you’re saving that income to feed the famine phase.
Progress Payments
Regardless of who you’re working with, there should always be a contract in place. I’ve worked with many agencies and art directors where a workorder isn’t created until the final artwork is delivered. This inevitably creates delays, and results in a scenario where you’re essentially working unpaid until the work is completed. When you work directly with clients, you call the shots, so a great way to manage your cash flow is through progress payments and deposits. I always include a deposit payment and instalment payments in my direct to client contracts. It helps to ensure that I’m paid as the work is being carried out.
Freelance success in illustration and graphic design doesn't usually happen overnight. But with the right mindset, you'll not just survive but thrive in this industry. It's not a walk in the park, but trust me, it's worth it!
Assuming you're still up for it, let's talk about some key tips for your freelance journey.
Your Artistic Arsenal: Your Portfolio
Before you start hunting for work or agency representation, make sure your portfolio is a knockout. Your style defines the clients you attract, so showcase your range. Whether it's whimsical childlike wonders or hyperrealist masterpieces, flaunt it! A diverse but consistent portfolio opens doors, so think about your target market. It’s important to showcase your ability to produce the kind of work your want to attract, so keep that front of mind when curating your portfolio. A client isn’t going to assume you’re able to produce book cover illustrations if you have no examples of it in your portfolio.
A solid portfolio should have at least 40 strong pieces, and only include your best work. If it's online, make sure your images are high resolution. For face to face meetings, a professionally printed portfolio can also be a game-changer. I’m a big fan of this portfolio, and like to print my artwork on paper that’s at least 210gsm. If you want to take it up a notch, I’d also recommend going with slightly textured fine art paper to really make your illustrations stand out.
Getting Yourself Out There: Self-Promotion 101
Now, with a killer portfolio in hand, it's showtime! Whether you decide to go with an agency or self-promote, having an online presence is a must. Social media is a great way to showcase your work, and best of all it’s free to use, so it’s a fantastic tool when you’re starting out. I use them all. Instagram, Facebook, X, Pinterest, Behance, Youtube, TikTok, Linkedin — go wild! And don't forget your own website. Secure your own domain for that extra professional touch.
There are a lot of great website building tools out there. You can opt to separate hosting and design with a provider like Kinsta, or go for an all-in-one website builder like Squarespace. Choosing between options like Kinsta and Squarespace boils down to your needs. Kinsta suits those valuing top-notch performance and flexibility, and have some tech know-how. Squarespace, on the other hand, is perfect for quick, user-friendly setups with an integrated platform for both website building and hosting. There are plenty more options to choose from, but Kinsta and Squarespace are two of the best in the market.
Finding Clients: Agencies vs. Going Solo
Choosing between an agency and flying solo has its perks and quirks. Agencies handle the business side of things like negotiating fees, managing contracts, and invoicing, which lets you focus on the creative. They can also give you access to larger clients that may be harder to secure on your own. They do also take a commission on your fees though, which is on average around 30% of your earnings. Going solo is empowering, and you pocket 100% of your earnings. It also means that you have to manage every aspect of your business, so you need to be ready to embrace entrepreneurship.
Friendly Tips from a Fellow Illustrator
Be a Pro, Stay Nice:
Talent is crucial, but so is professionalism. Be nice, be professional—it goes a long way.
Tech Know-How Wins:
As an illustrator, clients expect you to be proficient in industry standard software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. For graphic design, InDesign is also essential. Even if you're a traditional artist, learning these programs opens up more opportunities. Ideally, the more tools in your toolkit, the better.
Seal the Deal with a Contract:
Always use a contract. It lays out your terms clearly, so there’s no room for confusion. If you don’t feel comfortable drawing up a formal agreement, you can just lay out some specific terms and attach them to your invoice or quote. Making sure that both yourself and your client know what to expect while working together benefits everyone.
It's Okay to Say "No":
Not every job is worth the trouble. That's the beauty of freelancing—you call the shots.
And lastly, never forget why you became a freelancer. It's not just a job; it's a lifestyle.
Good luck!
Shira
