[Elster]

Well,I've been 5 years on the road as a happy adventuring hobo and atm im actually trying to spin a new phase,what with evolving and what not.

Turns out the current working world looks even more twisted than I remember it,and Im not exactly in a position where I can do most things through the front door atm.

So stories aside,I am trying to expand on freelancing myself online as a comic/cartoon/concept artist and havent had much luck so far as I lack an idea of where am I going or how am I supposed to address the issue.
I've tried fiverr and was utterly appalled and dropped it,Deviant art and Etsy I've known for along time and havent really worked for me (DA in particular is a freakshow of teen angst art).

Anyone have any ideas on how I should proceed?

[weambulance]

Out of curiosity, what was your problem with fiverr? I'm thinking about offering editorial services there.

You definitely need your own site for starters.

I don't know about comic/cartoon art so much but I know there's a market for book covers. Lots of people are indie publishing these days and covers (whether ebook or paper) are extremely important in marketing stories and novels.

[Elster]

(02-29-2016 02:22 PM)weambulance Wrote:  

Out of curiosity, what was your problem with fiverr? I'm thinking about offering editorial services there.

It seems as if you don't have a serious rating you just fall in line line behind first a line of "premium" or "popular" offers and then you re just a speck amongst hordes of other aspirants [/quote]

Quote:

You definitely need your own site for starters.

Actually im looking for a better layout but I have fairly functional site!

Quote:

I don't know about comic/cartoon art so much but I know there's a market for book covers. Lots of people are indie publishing these days and covers (whether ebook or paper) are extremely important in marketing stories and novels.

Oh sweet!I completely ignored that! Hmm,guess I might start with google and asking around?

[crudeloyalist]

I freelance full time in a similar industry. I checked out your site, here are my opinions:

- Your work is actually decent but your site is unprofessional and disorganised. Your home page should feature your absolute best work in an easy-to-view, non blog format.

- Where is your 'about me' page? What services do you actually offer? Where are your contact details?

- Remove the tip jar immediately. You're suppose to be offering a professional service, not fishing for charity.

- Personally, I wouldn't have any work relating to red pill ideas, many of your potential clients may be put off by this.

- Are you not utilising social media? You should be on twitter and instagram at the very least.

- Is your brand that of an individual or a company? If it's as an individual, you'd be better off using a real sounding name.

- Google your competition. Study the layout of their websites, what they blog about, how they manage their social media accounts etc.

- Freelancing sites can be a great way to earn money but your online presence is killing you. Take the perspective of your potential client. Would you hire you on the merit of your website?

- Finally, don't wait for clients to come to you. Seek them out yourself. Network. Get in touch with film/video directors and tell them you do storyboards and movie posters. Contact musicians and tell them you do music album artwork. Carve out a niche for yourself and specialise.

[Elster]

Crudeloyalist:

Thanks a lot for the tips!
They are indeed very objective and I will definitely revise all thing you've pointed out!
But still,for sake of the discussion and clarity...

(02-29-2016 05:48 PM)crudeloyalist Wrote:  

- Your work is actually decent but your site is unprofessional and disorganised. Your home page should feature your absolute best work in an easy-to-view, non blog format.

I see what you say,I had the page made some time ago bya friend while i was still playing the happy-go-lucky hobo game. And given that I am nearly analphabetical when it comes to web design I just figured an easy blog stlye site would be ideal for posting wacky drawings and posts from time to time as I went from town to town not always having computer/internet access.

Fast forward to the present,I accept it does need a total change.

(02-29-2016 05:48 PM)crudeloyalist Wrote:  

- Where is your 'about me' page? What services do you actually offer? Where are your contact details?

The "about me page" was supposed to be included in the "FAQ OFF" section which I thought it was funny at the time.

I'm used to selling art on the streets where breaking mold attracts customers, but I guess when it comes to professional online pitching I have no idea.

(02-29-2016 05:48 PM)crudeloyalist Wrote:  

- Remove the tip jar immediately. You're suppose to be offering a professional service, not fishing for charity.

The tip jar was I thought a funny reference to my experience and condition as a vagrant as panhandling almost inevitably is part of the experience.
(Not defending my choices here,just explaining the reasons)

(02-29-2016 05:48 PM)crudeloyalist Wrote:  

- Personally, I wouldn't have any work relating to red pill ideas, many of your potential clients may be put off by this.

Since I started using my site more often most of the toons I came up with were red pill,so I thought it would be a good place to showcase them.
BUt yeah,I suppos thet if plan to do work professionally and be commissioned its like selling racial integration mags with a KKK suit

(02-29-2016 05:48 PM)crudeloyalist Wrote:  

- Are you not utilising social media? You should be on twitter and instagram at the very least.

I do have a twitter,never felt very comfortable using it.
Instagram I do not.
In the past when I've uploaded my work to FB it wasnt very satisfying in results other than the usual "verifiy i saw your post because I liked it" metrics.

(02-29-2016 05:48 PM)crudeloyalist Wrote:  

- Is your brand that of an individual or a company? If it's as an individual, you'd be better off using a real sounding name.

No company,just me.
Occasionally I work together with the bird but still it is a home operation.

(02-29-2016 05:48 PM)crudeloyalist Wrote:  

- Google your competition. Study the layout of their websites, what they blog about, how they manage their social media accounts etc.

Will definitely do!
I see many of them have very well deisgned sites,which makes me suspect a third patty was involved. ATM I can t really afford someone else designing my site but I can work on it to do something decent myself I think.

(02-29-2016 05:48 PM)crudeloyalist Wrote:  

- Freelancing sites can be a great way to earn money but your online presence is killing you. Take the perspective of your potential client. Would you hire you on the merit of your website?

I have a fancy for oddball looking stuff,
BUT I would suppose common sense would dictacte:
" NO,the client wouldn't ".

(02-29-2016 05:48 PM)crudeloyalist Wrote:  

- Finally, don't wait for clients to come to you. Seek them out yourself. Network. Get in touch with film/video directors and tell them you do storyboards and movie posters. Contact musicians and tell them you do music album artwork. Carve out a niche for yourself and specialise.

I've tried it in the past but I suppose I wasnt consistent enough,no harm in getting back on it,after all I do have endurance and new found vigour!

[crudeloyalist]

Sent you a PM.

[PartManPartMonkey]

What's the best way to hire a graphic designer to do a logo?

[Elster]

(03-01-2016 04:54 PM)PartManPartMonkey Wrote:  

What's the best way to hire a graphic designer to do a logo?

I could try to do one for you though my specialty is cartooning.

Fiverr is a good a guess as any if you re on a budget .

[marty]

(03-01-2016 04:54 PM)PartManPartMonkey Wrote:  

What's the best way to hire a graphic designer to do a logo?

I've heard good things about 99designs.com. You specify what you need, the designers on the website submit their designs and then you can choose whichever you like.

[PartManPartMonkey]

^^ I had looked into 99 designs but the reviews were quite bad. Perhaps the top tier has better quality, but I recall the price tag was $1000 plus, which seemed unreasonable to me.

[Elster]

I ve made a somewhat bolder pitch at fiverr and did get continued comission at least.
I must say i am somewhat vexed at the 20% commission fiverr takes but,well,its cash and its good that the platform has helped me so I must give it that.


Side comment:
Reminds me of my time peddling my art in New Orleans.
I would have a couple of pieces where i literally bled my soul into them and felt as if I pulled the details by nail and tooth from the deepest corners of my psyche. And I made 80% of my cash from a simple "book of pigs" that took me a whopping 30 minutes to do its ten pages.
On the bright side,my recent comics have taken me a long bout of time so I m happy to make a quick buck of fast sketches

[PartManPartMonkey]

El G: I was doing some diligence on my project and I came across Upwork. Elance and oDesk merged to form Upwork. It is huge. You can set a per hour rate or a fixed rate. They take ten percent of your fee.

[Elster]

(03-06-2016 03:51 PM)PartManPartMonkey Wrote:  

El G: I was doing some diligence on my project and I came across Upwork. Elance and oDesk merged to form Upwork. It is huge. You can set a per hour rate or a fixed rate. They take ten percent of your fee.

That's pretty cool actually,thanks! Fiverr's commission can be really crippling when you're just starting out.


ATM Im trying to make some time work on my own website as well but thats slow,and Im reluctant to send my red pill comics away just yet

[johnbozzz]

(02-29-2016 02:06 PM)El_Gostro Wrote:  

Well,I've been 5 years on the road as a happy adventuring hobo and atm im actually trying to spin a new phase,what with evolving and what not.

Turns out the current working world looks even more twisted than I remember it,and Im not exactly in a position where I can do most things through the front door atm.

So stories aside,I am trying to expand on freelancing myself online as a comic/cartoon/concept artist and havent had much luck so far as I lack an idea of where am I going or how am I supposed to address the issue.
I've tried fiverr and was utterly appalled and dropped it,Deviant art and Etsy I've known for along time and havent really worked for me (DA in particular is a freakshow of teen angst art).

Anyone have any ideas on how I should proceed?

Are you trying to sell original pieces of art? I would try to find a local newspaper and offer up free illustrations for whatever the topic is for a bit, while selling your work in the side. If you can dash off some simple sketches, send those off to small publications to be used for free. As much as it may seem like bullshit, having a resume with credible sources for your work will persuade others to buy your art if they feel it may have some other value other than being aesthetically pleasing. And also, although it's heavily dominated by chicks, social media, like Instagram, is a good way to go. You'd be surprised by how many young illustrators will create an account, like dozens of images from Supreme, Volcom, etc., and then get followers simply by liking posts and leaving comments.