Here's how you can keep abreast of industry trends and new technologies as a freelance animator.

Stay current with your skill sets, don’t get comfortable with the status quo of just earning a degree or certification. Experience and networking are valuable tools in any industry.

As a freelance animator, staying abreast of industry trends and new technologies involves a proactive approach to continuous learning. Regularly follow leading animation blogs, industry news sites, and social media channels dedicated to animation. Join professional organizations and participate in online forums and discussion groups where the latest trends and tools are often discussed. Attend webinars, workshops, and industry conferences to gain firsthand insights and network with peers. Additionally, invest time in online courses and tutorials to master new software and techniques. By staying informed and continually upgrading your skills, you can remain competitive and innovative in the dynamic field of animation.

Social media is a blessing. Its just an individual's ability to use it to the maximum for generating business and ideas and building powerful relationships with experts. This is something I feel Animators are using the least to grow. I see animation artists appearing on linkedin only when they leave a company and they are looking for a new job. Its only seeking! No Giving. If you don't contribute to someone, you won't get that huge level of benefits. As a freelancer social media can be an exceptional tool to grow 100x than what a person sitting at home would grow. I am not sharing this just to inspire, I have done this my self and built my own brand where people across the globe can search me now on internet with my name. Build a Brand

Absolutely I would agree that it has become so easy to learn new things from great experts that also from the comfort of our home at the cheapest cost! But the fact is people are too occupied with their heads. I see artists not even having the courage to invest ?100 for a webinar and to spend 2-3 hours focused on learning. Webinars and workshops are the best things happening on internet. There were times when we had nothing to explore from home. For attending a seminar, there used to be a travel cost, energy cost, stress, rush and so many aspects. It has become so easy to grow in animation. But artists are still sleeping in their comfort zones. I too have upgraded myself using all these. Remember if you don't UPGRADE, you'll STINK.

Online courses are a great thing to start for every beginner if they are looking to explore something new. Instead of spending huge money directly for some degree courses, its always good to either consult an expert or take some online course at cheap price. There is a huge line of content in online courses as well. If you are a dedicated student, online courses are a great start though you won't get feedbacks on them. Online courses will give clarity of thought to move ahead into animation career or to choose a particular domain. Times have changed and people who won't change will for sure have to stay behind. If you want an extraordinary success, start exploring topics through online courses and then channelize your interests.

News, in my opinion, tends to be overly negative. While it's a good idea to subscribe to industry updates to stay informed, in all honesty, it doesn't really matter that much. Individuals merely watch news; they take no action. News viewers are not doers! I share their belief in doing so. Since action yields results. There wouldn't be any exciting technology developments that could affect you or how your choices could affect your development. Thus, keep an eye on the advancements in the field rather than merely sitting back and watching a bunch of news stations.

I feel news is something which is too much negative Oriented. Its good to subscribe to new things happening in the industry for keeping ourself updated but truly speaking it would not matter that much. People just watch news, they don't do anything . Doers are not news watchers! They believe in doing so do I. Because doing brings results. There would be no great technological news that will impact you, the way your actions will impact your growth. So do watch the improvements in the industry but don't sit back just subscribing to multiple news channels. News will overwhelm artists, specially beginners. I have seen students not even starting their career by just watching a news that AI will take over all jobs. So Take Actions,Period!

Wow, my favourite one is attending offline networking events. Networking adds more people, more knowledge, more insights in our career and life. Meeting new people from same industry and sharing each others ideas and contacts and perceptions helps an artist grow no matter whether you are a freelancer or business person. If you need to grow and have more business flowing, go out and meet new people and networking events are the best because we meet like minded people. Still there are ways you have to approach people while being in the networking events or else it can go flop. People just run with their visiting cards to handover to everyone. Make sure you connect with people first, know them, their business, then discuss ask collaboratn.