Entry 4 of 12: October: Will I Ever Get Work?

This month had been full interruptions and delays. I didn't get done what I wanted and began doubting my illustration style. Do people even like my work? I've had a few freelance design projects absorb my time as well as some projects around the house (like putting hardwood floors down on the entire first floor of our house!).

The month started off with promise for a potential job. It was for five mug illustrations. The client and I negotiated back and forth with money and usage and we finally agreed on a price. I got the signed contract from him and let him know that I'd begin work once I received his deposit (stated in the contract). The response I got was "Did you give me your bank account info?" What did that mean??? I promptly emailed him back and told him I only take checks. His response then ... "I'm afraid we're out then. Good luck to you." So was it a scam? Who knows, but there was a little gleam of hope for a project but it quickly dimmed.

Last month I mentioned that my goal was to get some things cleared off that big list I have and get some illustration work done. I did clear some things (not as many as I wanted) off and got two new clay illustrations complete. One of which is on my site now. I need to get a better shot of the other to put on my site. I haven't been able to get the shadows just right. I also have tons of new sketches waiting to be materialized. I'm thinking about doing some black and white hand drawn work and marketing that to some smaller one-color publications.

I had one person sign up for my mailing list after seeing my last article. I added a link on every page of my site for people to sign-up. I realized that I really didn't specify to sign-up for my mailing list and people may not know to go to my contact page. Hopefully I'll get some more names and hopefully I'll get some work so I can send out a press release to them. I'm about due for one.

Promoting myself as an illustrator has been hard. I've never really promoted my freelance design business and I've had steady freelance work (by word of mouth) for 6 years. I guess every business needs a designer and few need illustrators. Especially if your style is geared for one audience —children. I've been thinking about offering some pro-bono illustration work. I've "budgeted" it for this year but I don't know exactly how to go about it. I need to get my name and work out there but I'm struggling with how. Maybe I'll look through my Children's Writers & Illustrators Market book and see if a particular magazine strikes my fancy.

Since I struggle with things to draw and sculpt I've found a couple of fun online contests that will help get my creativity going. I've found a fun costume contest and a contest for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. I've been waiting on this one to be posted! Hopefully, I'll come up with some good pieces and it will help spark some other pieces. I tend to work best with an "assignment" rather than just coming up with something.

I've noticed some hits from my listings on sites I added or updated last month. I did find one other listing site and added my info. I'm still looking around for some more freebie listings so hopefully I'll have more to share in the months ahead.

Well, I know I have a lot of catch up next month. I have got to get creative and motivated. Fall usually brings this on for me for some reason. I can probably relate it back to elementary school with all the new school supplies and those fun Halloween and Thanksgiving projects to work on. I don't know how many hand outline turkeys I've drawn in my lifetime! I have a couple of design projects to do as well as some more projects around the house, and between those I'll try and fit in some illustration work and promotion. Wish me luck!!

Click here to read Holli's previous installment.