The freelancer market is expected to grow in the coming years. By 2023, the global freelance economy will likely reach $455 bn USD.
With the growing market of freelancing, the options for artists to pursue as individual or independent freelancers, such as graphic designing, animation, production designing, and more, are also increasing. It is also one of the best pathways for artists to start their careers now.
Freelancers handle independent contracts for part-time or full-time based on their availability and clients’ requirements. They are often required to sign agreements before starting projects.
Life as a freelance illustrator can be extremely rewarding due to its popularity in different fields like marketing, writing, entertainment, photography, and more.
This article will comprehensively explain the top 5 ways a freelance illustrator can earn and find more work.
Let’s begin!
Who is a Freelance Illustrator?
A freelance illustrator is a self-employed artist who works contractually with an individual, an agency, or an enterprise. They are masters of their own and work with flexibility.
They are not appointed permanently by a company and hence do not work as an employee. They can maximize their earnings by working with multiple clients simultaneously.
They usually earn per task and generally work for a short time. Thus, they enjoy the freedom of working from anywhere.
Benefits of Freelancing
Being your boss as a freelancer comes with many potential perks. Here are the top advantages of working as a freelance illustrator:
- Flexible Routine: As a freelancer, you will be running your own business, which means you are your boss. It is up to you when you are working on a particular project. Your client is only concerned with the quality of the work and the deadline provided to you.
- Freedom to choose your work: You can pick out or reject the work as per your liking and convenience since there is no restriction or boundation on the type of work you choose.
- Ability to work from anywhere: You can work at a different place or building daily as a freelancer. There are no boundaries to your workplace.
- Chances of more income: If you are working as an employee, the bonus depends on your overtime and business profits. But as a freelancer, there is usually an added advantage to earning extra by taking up more than one project at a time or getting incentives by delivering work on time and making clients happy.
5 More Ways To Find More Work as a Freelance Illustrator:
1- Create an Instagram account:
Taking the help of social media platforms like instagram, facebook etc. allows you to connect with fellow freelancers through their posts and stories and further increase your work reach. You can find prospective work offers and enhance your portfolio by searching for hashtags like #workfromhome, #freelancing, #homeoffice, and more.
2- Attend fairs and online events:
You can attend art fairs and webinars as a freelance illustrator to connect and build networks with industry people.
You will be able to connect with industry people and your prospective clients. You can also display your artwork at these types of fairs and impress your audience to offer you more work in the future.
3- Create and sell a font:
You can sell and promote your handwriting skills by designing your handmade fonts. These fonts will help in bringing in sales and promoting your fonts.
You can generate recurring revenues by selling your font on the marketplace like MyFonts, Creative Markets, and many more. All you have to do is create an effective font and upload it.
4- Register with an illustration agency
If you want to earn more money by becoming a freelance advertising illustrator, you can register with an illustration agency that represents and promotes your artwork on your behalf. Some illustration agencies even look after your administrative work.
Here is a list of top illustration agencies that can help freelancers promote their work worldwide:
- Illo Agency
- Graphic Mama
- Design Garden
- Lemonade Illustration
- Folio
- Handsome Frank
- Debut Art
- Minty
- Twine
- Dribble
5- Start a blog focusing on illustrator tips and tricks
If you want immediate results and earn a good source of income through blogging, then you have to go with the trend.
Offering information and good quality content is the best way to gain an audience that can monetize your blogs and help to gain the best results.
Hence as a freelance illustrator, you can start your blog and write on a particular topic based on your illustration skills and expertise and reach a larger audience.
Conclusion
As an artist, freelancing will be the perfect career choice if you are looking for a flexible way of earning.
You must be skilled enough to draw people’s attention to your artwork and provide them with your best talent.
If you want to be your boss without working under any authority, then freelancing is the best decision for you to fulfill your dreams and follow your passion at the same time maintain flexibility in your working style.
Take help from this article to learn different ways to attract clients for your freelancing business as an illustrator.
