How to contact art directors | How to start your illustration career

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

What is your biggest block preventing you from reaching out to potential clients? Let me know in the comments!

[@jeffsantos93]

Thank you so much for this video, I feel like I found a hidden gem with your channel hehe I'm gonna put this to test this weekend!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I'm so glad you found it helpful Jeff! :) Good luck with your test!!

[@jeffsantos93]

Yes! I would really like to find clients, I haven't landed a commission in months...

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I hope that my video helps, Jeff! Finding clients is hard, but with good strategies it makes it a lot easier!

[@DementedDistraction]

These are sound strategies and the information is solid, however the biggest hurdle is simply obtaining the contact information for art directors in the first place - they are notoriously hermitic because they don't want to be bombarded by countless emails or other correspondence from artists they don't know that are looking for work.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

That's a good point! It takes some investigating but it is not impossible :) In the course, lesson 2 is ALL about company research and how to find the name and email address of the art directors!

[@zeeeeejunnnnn5660]

Thank you Ness, struggling illustrator here😅, I find your advice super helpful. It’s too bad I didn’t learn all this at art school.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Glad it was helpful! I also didn't learn this at all in art school which is a shame!

[@NC-ij9rb]

This is very valuable Ness. Been having a dry spell and feeling depressed recently.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I'm so sorry to hear that, hun! :o I hope you feel better soon! You are wonderfully talented and hard-working and deserve all the success!

[@DaniFernandesVideos]

Hi, are your methods of contacting art directors applicable to other areas besides book illustrations? For instance, surface pattern design and art licensing?

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I switched from picture books to surface design in late 2021, so I can confirm it works and I've used my method to contact art directors in this market and I've secured many licensing deals + a licensing agent this way :) The market is different than picture books though. It's easier to convince an art director to give us a chance because the gigs are smaller, less high stake than an entire book. However, surface design is more saturated and competitive so it's harder to catch an art director's attention in the first place and we must send many follow ups until they notice us. So there are pros and cons!

[@irenebuyolo3142]

Hello!!!I am very embarrassed to write that I have no experience as an illustrator. I wouldn't know how to put it. Thanks for the practical examples!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

There's absolutely no need to be embarrassed. We all have to start somewhere, and the fact that you haven't done something yet isn't anything to be ashamed of. But more to the point, it's not true that you don't have any experience as an illustrator. Maybe you meant you don't have any professional contract experience. But surely you have drawing experience? :) You've been practicing and honing your craft for many years. Why would you think that doesn't count? It baffles me when people have been drawing for 15 years and still insist they have "no experience". I recommend to watch my video about presenting yourself confidently: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aafGeayeqaeHhNU

[@TheArtMentor]

Great tips Ness! Thinking about joining y’all in the boot camp some time 👍

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Thanks! You know we'd love to have you in class!

[@DeimilerM]

Hi, nice content! thanks for sharing your knowledge. my question is whether manga style illustration matches advertising and editorial illustration?

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Not that I know of. It IS possible to make a living with manga art but mostly in a "direct to consumer" way (commissions, merch, and comics). This style is not commonly used in editorial and advertising.

[@baconeggsandstuff]

If you are a beginner artist, I recommend watching, but for advanced artists, this is a 1h add for a paid masterclass, regarding how to make a portfolio, format a letter of intent and pricing. It's basic info imo and 40 min i'm not getting back. A clear disclaimer at the start of the video would be fair practice, because this feels a bit misleading.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I give a lot of tips for free on my channel, but I'm not willing to give away my course content after working over 6 months full-time to build this course. I teach my students to value their work and not underprice it, and I lead my own career with the same motto :) I'm sorry this was too basic for you, obviously this channel and course is the wrong fit for you and that's ok 💁 I hope you find what you're looking for!

[@deeptigupthan3641]

Hi ness... Ok this is something I wanted to ask you from very beginning... I am from India... Does belonging to other country affects my chance for working as an illustrator for different places which is too faraway. Art director and agents might look for illustrators who are local illustrator rather than choosing illustrator staying faarrrrr.. away.... :(

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

This is a good question! No, nowadays all business is done by email so it does not matter where you live. For example although I live in Canada, most of my clients are from the US or the UK. They do not mind at all that I'm not local!

[@alphatypical]

Is course 1 available?

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

It is! You can find it here: www.artbusinesswithness.com/level1 If you're interested in getting both level 1 and 2, there's also currently a bundle deal available for the 2 courses together that allows you to save an additional $50. You can find that here: www.artbusinesswithness.com/level2 Cheers!

[@deeptigupthan3641]

How does this $75-3 months installment works.. I have to pay $75 one month and other 2 months how much do I need to pay?

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Hi Deepti :) It's the same amount each month! So let's say you purchased on February 15th, and you paid $75 now. On March 15th you'll be charged another $75, and on April 15th you'll be charged your last $75 :)

[@BardishAtHeart]

hey when is your level 2 going to open back up again? I can't find it so I assume it is closed. I want to pay for the courses as soon as I can. I've been taking notes and everything, but you never said what your network acronym stood for. You mentioned two specific methods of emailing potential clients and didn't talk about them in the end. I'm so desprate to find out! Please forgive me for sounding so rude and frazzled. :)

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Hi Liz! I'm currently editing, improving and tweaking the level 2 course and it will open again on May 15th! Super excited to open the program again ☺ The acronym is dissected in detail in lessons 3 & 4 of the course - no spoilers hihi!

[@deeptigupthan3641]

Is this course live or prerecorded..?. As our timings never match

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Hi Deepti :) Both! The lessons will air live, but I'm also recording them so you can watch them later, whenever you want! You have lifetime access :)

[@nirmalajetty6426]

Is this course for other artists who r not illustrators?

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

It is focused on freelance illustration and specifically how to target companies for work contracts. The tactics will not be the same for fine artists who sell directly to the customer or through galleries, or do personal commissions. The tactics are also different for studio jobs such as in animation.

[@littlepinkpebble]

so true ticktock is not for me too, youtube i stopped too haha

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Yeah it's a lot of work! TikTok makes me feel silly haha

[@allanovelha1969]

2100 dollars in the first job?! This is away more than a minimum salary where I live (5 salaries to be more specific), I would be happy with just 1000, not gonna lie lol

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Considering this job took 3 months of full time work to complete, it was about $700 per month - only about 1/5 of the money required for 1 month to live in Canada.

[@allanovelha1969]

​@@ArtBusinesswithNess seen by that side now, this is away too low, I wasn't considering the life cost of the region. I am sorry!

[@allanovelha1969]

but now I see that I have the possibility to gain more money insted of just take a low price, and have a good quality of life in a place not too bad, I am feeling very luck now to have this oportunaty, Thank you Ness :) I love your videos

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

@@allanovelha1969 Yes that's exactly right! If you can live well on less money in your region that's great, but it's no reason to give big companies a discount just because. Charge them the standard rate and enjoy the money! :)