What are the best ways to break into visual storytelling for advertising?

1 Know your goals

Before you dive into visual storytelling, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Do you want to work for an agency, a brand, or as a freelancer? Do you want to specialize in a specific type of visual content, such as video, animation, or graphics? Do you want to target a certain industry, audience, or theme? Having a vision for your career will help you focus your efforts and choose the right opportunities.

4 Build your portfolio

Your portfolio is your showcase of your visual storytelling skills and achievements. It's what potential clients and employers will look at to judge your quality, creativity, and suitability for their projects. To build a strong portfolio, you need to create and share your visual content regularly, both online and offline. You can use platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Behance, or Dribbble to display your work and reach a wider audience. You can also participate in contests, challenges, or collaborations to gain exposure and recognition.

5 Network and pitch

The last step to break into visual storytelling for advertising is to network and pitch yourself to the right people and places. You need to build relationships with other visual storytellers, agencies, brands, and influencers who can help you grow your career and find new opportunities. You also need to pitch your services and ideas to potential clients and employers who are looking for visual content that matches their goals and needs. You can network and pitch by attending events, joining communities, sending emails, or using social media.