Comments on: Episode 10 – Breaking Into Freelance Illustration

By: Boris

Boris — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:53:36 +0000

another awesome podcast. traditional media should still exist in the future of the creative industry. i’ll buy your book Holly, I find your thoughts about pricing and how to bring myself to the business side interesting :)

By: Applied Arts Wire » Breaking Into Freelance Illustration

Applied Arts Wire » Breaking Into Freelance Illustration — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:02:07 +0000

[...] been profiled/interviewed as she’s promoted the book on various sites, namely Doodle Diner, Escape from Illustration Island and My Life List [...]

By: mchughstudios

mchughstudios — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:23:43 +0000

A great interview, sir.
The book is now on my Christmas list. :)

Another bold effort to overcome one of the biggest weaknesses in a budding new illustrator’s education.
I look forward to reading it!
–Jer

By: Holly DeWolf

Holly DeWolf — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:36:25 +0000

Hi there!
If you plan on tackling clients via e-mail its best to do your research of the company first. Get as much information as you can such as names, types of work they do, clients, and MOST important of all-check to see if they state anywhere on their web site about how they want to be approached such as email, phone, or my mail post.

You can approach the first e-mail as an introduction. Define why you are contacting them, who you are and what you do. From here you can also find out if they are interested in seeing your work either by a website link, a mailer such as contact sheet of samples. So if you approach the email as both an introduction and research that makes it much more friendly in tone. Long description short-give them a reason to read your email! Give them something to remember you by. Hope that helps. Cheers!

By: Char Reed

Char Reed — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:03:07 +0000

Will your book be available to buy in Kindle/ebook format? I move around the world a lot and this doesn’t allow for me to have much of a library at all, so my medium of choice is ebook. Thanks!

By: mattikemppainen

mattikemppainen — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:27:46 +0000

Thanks for a great episode! Great job with directing people to the site and props for the redesign :)

The number one biggest question for me when starting out was how to talk to clients in a first mail when looking for work. How much should i tell about my self? should I show that i am familiar with what they do? Should I just drop them a link? What should the tone of the mail be?

Now a pretty much just tell them that I’m a illustrator from Helsinki and this is a link to my website.

How do you guys do it?

By: Illustrationmundo.com A blog dedicated to illustration » Blog Archive » EFII Podcast Episode 11 – Stefan Bucher

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:11:48 +0000

[...] Book All Access Book The Graphic Eye Book Under Consideration Speak Up Ze Frank Holly DeWolf EFII Podcast Episode 10 Breaking Into Freelance Illustration Book Best of EFII – October 2009 EFII Community [...]

By: dane

dane — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:42:27 +0000

Thanks so much for your reply, Holly! :)

By: Holly DeWolf

Holly DeWolf — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:52:52 +0000

Hi Amanda! I say put your worry in a comfortable perspective that could motivate you. Many illustrators such as myself are educated plus self taught. I learned more about business by myself, just by getting out there, making mistakes and asking lots and lots of questions.

Success leaves clues but success does not happen overnight. One way to look at this is: how did they get there? What steps did they take to make this career their own? What had to happen for them to start making a living off their work?
So, I say one approach that could help is compiling a list of questions, concerns and observations about illustration and start looking for the answers online or by asking fellow illustrators for advice. I did this and it helped me immensely! I hope you enjoy the book. Cheers!

By: Holly DeWolf

Holly DeWolf — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:30:55 +0000

Hi again! I agree with Thomas 150% so I have a couple of things to add-make your opportunities. This creative industry is not about waiting. It is a about doing, planning, creative problem solving, and visualizing what could lie ahead. Thomas mentioned taking ownership and I totally agree. This is your career and you MUST ask for what you want and start when you feel ready not when a school decides you are ready. Many students get stuck in the day to day routine of being a student and not planning in advance that one day they will have to leave and make it on their own. Some students get too comfortable. I say start calling yourself an illustrator now. Just begin and the rest the will follow.