How to Get Editorial Illustration Work

If you want to make a career out of editorial illustration, you need to follow a few simple steps. You can start by building a personal relationship with potential clients, and then you can show that you can be flexible and creative.

1. Build a personal relationship with clients

The best way to get editorial illustration work is to build a portfolio. You can also make use of social networks to help you find opportunities. LinkedIn is a good place to post your work.

Another great way to build your portfolio is by creating a professional website. You can find free templates for this online. This makes it easy to display your portfolio.

You can also find paid jobs on sites like Upwork. In order to make the most of your effort, you need to focus on quality. Make sure to send a personalized email and attach your portfolio link.

Another way to make the most of your time is to get creative. You may be able to create a personalized website that includes an illustrated version of your portfolio. If you are lucky, you may even be able to land your first commission.

A nice touch is to include a monthly newsletter. A newsletter is a great way to keep your name in front of clients. It’s also a great way to remind them that you are available.

Finally, make sure to leave a memorable impression. The most obvious way to do this is to provide a sample piece of your work. However, it is also a good idea to give a client a rough idea of what they will be receiving. That way, they can decide whether they want to go the extra mile by commissioning a more elaborate piece.

The next time you see a nice piece of artwork, you can bet it is the work of a talented artist. Be sure to follow up after you have received a message. Even better, send a personal note of gratitude.

2. Find and contact art directors

Many artists are now turning to editorial illustration, and it’s a lucrative industry. Editorial illustrations are used in newspapers, blogs, news sites, and web resources. They express an idea or feeling from text.

As an artist, you should develop your portfolio and create work that reflects your unique style. Besides promoting your work, you should also try to get in touch with art directors.

One of the best ways to do this is to email them. You’ll find that most Art Directors keep their contact details on their website. So you can send them an email with your resume and portfolio.

Another way to promote your work is by posting it on social media. Try to post regularly and include hashtags. A good social network for editorial illustrators is Instagram. The best way to get followers is to create a good profile and post consistently.

You can also use LinkedIn. This site is very popular among art directors looking for new illustrators. Also, it’s a great resource for finding paid opportunities.

You can also work with smaller publications as a way to build your portfolio. Some Art Directors will follow you, and you can contact them directly.

You should also keep a mailing list. This is one of the easiest ways to get your work out there.

When contacting Art Directors, be persistent and make sure to follow up after a few months. Remember, they are busy and they don’t want to get swamped with emails. Nevertheless, if they add you to their list of potentials, you should always respond when your portfolio has improved.

You can find opportunities to submit your work to companies through Upwork and LinkedIn. These sites also advertise editorial illustration jobs.

3. Show you can work quickly and flexibly

A good way to show your clients you’re a serious artist is to prove your worth by showcasing a few of your best pieces. There are several online resources to help you do that. The Association of Illustrators has its own nifty little directory of editorial illustrators, which is a nice place to start. You’ll also find a lot of information on the web about how to find and get paid for your work.

First and foremost, you’ll want to have an up-to-date portfolio of your best work. This is especially important if you’re interested in getting into the editorial illustration game. Make sure you’re well-versed in the various types of publications that are likely to pay you, and then target your emails and phone calls accordingly.

While you’re at it, you should also take a good look at what’s on the magazine racks at your local library, bookstore or bookstore-like establishment. If you’re particularly lucky, you might even get a chance to meet the editors in person.

A final tip is to not be too shy about asking for changes. It’s no secret that magazines and newspapers are often strapped for time, and you’ll need to show your clients you’re in it for the long haul. One clever tactic is to offer to send them a monthly newsletter with the latest and greatest in the realm of editorial illustration.

Finally, it’s no secret that many a freelancer will end up working for several clients at once. In such a scenario, the biggest reward is being paid. Luckily, there are several places to find these lucrative contracts, including the usual suspects like Upwork, as well as lesser known sites, such as Slack.

4. Limit the licence to one-time editorial use within the publication it has been commissioned for

A plethora of websites inundate you with countless ad clutters, but it’s time to take a stand. This is not to say that you don’t have to be your own cheerleader. But don’t forget to take your cue from your colleagues. And remember, if you do, you’re not only doing yourself a favour, but also your customers. The best part is, you don’t have to be a pro to do it. You just have to be willing to buck the system!

There are some tricks of the trade that you need to avoid. First, don’t clog up your office with a bunch of telemarketers. Second, never give out your credit card number.

5. Maintain a steady job as an editorial illustrator

To get editorial illustration work, you should focus on getting great work and proving your abilities. This way, you will be more likely to land your first commission.

Editorial illustrations are used to complement body text. They are usually accompanying articles, books or blogs. You should make sure your illustrations are appropriate for the topic and target audience.

Getting editorial illustration work can be a challenge. It’s often very competitive. Clients are often under tremendous pressure and want to be turned around quickly. Therefore, it’s important to be versatile and flexible. Also, keep in mind that many editorial clients are risk averse.

There are many resources online that can help you find editorial illustration work. One of these is The Editorial Directory, a directory of publications that commission editorial illustration. Having a portfolio of your work is also a good idea.

Once you have established yourself as an editorial illustrator, you can send your portfolio to a variety of sources. Some of these include publishing houses, advertising agencies, design consultancies, and freelancers. Another source is Creative Review, a directory of creative services.

If you are interested in developing your career as an editorial illustrator, join the Association of Illustrators. Membership will give you access to career development advice, tips on invoicing and pricing, and a list of publications you can submit your work to.

You should also develop your business skills. This can include creating a mailing list, working with real friends, and presenting your work in a portfolio. Be sure to keep your clientele up to date with your latest commissions. A monthly newsletter is a great way to do this.

Another useful resource for finding editorial illustration work is LinkedIn. You can also advertise your work on sites such as Upwork.