Once you, as a creator, take in commissions, you're exposing what's most likely your weakest link: Marketing and business, something that's almost never taught in any creative school.
In 2016, I got 1 creative commission. I average about 30 a year now. Here's a thread on how:
In 2016, I got 1 creative commission. I average about 30 a year now. Here's a thread on how:
-Assume you will not be rewarded for making good content, but for getting any of your decent work in front of eyes that might be interested.
Forums, Social Media, anything that's free, doesn't mentally drain you and Isn't Intrusive can help you get folk's attention.
Forums, Social Media, anything that's free, doesn't mentally drain you and Isn't Intrusive can help you get folk's attention.
-Balance your price. Work under the assumption that you deserve more for the work you put in (You do). Find the baseline people start paying for your work, and gently raise your price every month until you hit a wall.
Backpeddle and work that rice range for a while, and repeat.
Backpeddle and work that rice range for a while, and repeat.
-Find your niche. Everyone loves paying attention to the big fandoms, but few think of the passion creators who have a deathgrip on tight-knit franchises.
When I decided to commission some Rambo artwork, there were 2 fanartists working the scene, so there were only 2 options.
When I decided to commission some Rambo artwork, there were 2 fanartists working the scene, so there were only 2 options.
Will you get less customers? Yes, but you're looking to get paid commissions, not a pool of people. 10 people paying you $100 total is still more work than 1 person paying the same, because that's 9 less art pieces.
Find your niché and people who share it.
Find your niché and people who share it.
- Adapt to people's demand.
I didn't start out as an editor. But people wanted me to do it more than they wanted me to write.
If you wanna do illustration, but you need money and people pay you for "your comic-book style"? Open up comic-specific commissions. Follow the demand.
I didn't start out as an editor. But people wanted me to do it more than they wanted me to write.
If you wanna do illustration, but you need money and people pay you for "your comic-book style"? Open up comic-specific commissions. Follow the demand.
- Your presence matters.
How you present yourself online, and how you engage with your own work, matters as much as your art. When you, for example, call the artwork you got commissioned for "trash"? We believe you.
How you present yourself online, and how you engage with your own work, matters as much as your art. When you, for example, call the artwork you got commissioned for "trash"? We believe you.
-Fake by design.
My Twitter is designed to make you think I'm more accomplished than I am. It's why most of you assume I'm at least in my late 20's.
Take advantage of that. Don't tell lies, but you'll be amazed how far propping up your minute accomplishments can get you.
My Twitter is designed to make you think I'm more accomplished than I am. It's why most of you assume I'm at least in my late 20's.
Take advantage of that. Don't tell lies, but you'll be amazed how far propping up your minute accomplishments can get you.
-Get paid.
Always get paid before you hand in the work. Never spend the fee until the transaction is complete. Assume you will someday need to refund a client while you're working, due to personal reasons.
Never take shame in backing out of a project when you need to.
Always get paid before you hand in the work. Never spend the fee until the transaction is complete. Assume you will someday need to refund a client while you're working, due to personal reasons.
Never take shame in backing out of a project when you need to.
