How do you find and connect with potential clients or collaborators?

Don't be afraid to not have a niche. There are people who know what they want to do growing up and there are those who need to first explore and find their calling. If you are the latter, explore, try everything at once. Jack of all trades is oftentimes better than a master of one. It's an old saying, but think about every influencer you know. What skills do they have? They are chefs, photographers, videographers, storytellers, and marketing experts. Everyone is taking on multiple roles in the era we live in. Find a passion and run with it.

Having a niche is finding direction. Having a direction gives a creator focus, power and commitment. Goals are easier to set, finding your target audience is easier, and it's simpler to see what is trending and plan on that 'boost' which will set your work apart from the rest. However, centering on a single niche can work against you. Life is notorious for throwing curveballs, and what might be a trendy topic/niche today, may be old news tomorrow. The best advice I can give in regards to 'niching' is not to be afraid to have more than one. Just like in investing, it's easier to survive a fall out when you have multiple 'streams' or in other words, two or three niches, (most often interrelated) than a single one you sell your soul to.

People who are successful illustrators have a particular style and a certain group of people that their style caters to. You cannot fulfill everyone's wants and that's alright. Your style will be specific and you need to identify which clients would prefer your style over the other.

If you can't be seen, you may never be found. Creators are usually natural introverts, it's part of the creative process. Showcasing with finesse can be one of the hardest obtacles for most of us to overcome. I personally know two writers, who are so afraid of being successful and 'seen' that they haven't completed any of their work for publication. Publishing a book, or making a stellar piece of artwork doesn't guarantee you success the moment you present it to the world. Especially if the world has no idea you exist. The creators we all know and discuss today spent years showcasing their work, making connections and 'getting out there'. Those rare few who are 'overnight' sensations typically have very good connections to begin with.

We live in a time where it is a blessing and an advantage to easily showcase our services and our work online. Making the best of such resources will drastically alter your career path towards an improved goal and more work. You may be reluctant and reserved at first of showcasing your work online and sharing it with the world to see, but look at it this way; you have nothing to lose and you're only set to gain from that point, slowly but surely. The more you invest your time in showcasing your talent, the more turnaround and leads you'll receive.

One of the fun things about doing something you love is usually it means you naturally gather with those who like that topic too. Word of mouth has been my most successful 'reach out tool'. People who know and love my work have been very good to pass it on to their friends and connections. Then they pass it on and so forth. 'Giving back' is a great way to continue to be a part of the target group-by forwarding on others successes and pieces you love as well.

The best thing about social media is that it made "word of mouth" even much easier through being recommended globally and not locally by your past clients. After a successful project completion, and if client is satisfied, do put in a request to have a referral, each client's word of mouth would easily reach 5 new prospects, online and offline. That being said, it does not harm to put in the extra effort on your end and set one hour of your day to do cold outreach to your clients' target that can be interested in your services and your niche.

Once your portfolio is set up, you have to finding potential clients proactively across various mediums. Here's how to refine your research and outreach as an illustrator: Industry-Specific Platforms: 1) Go beyond job posts eg Behance: - Showcase your portfolio and connect with creative agencies and studios 2) Freelance platforms: Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr can connect you with clients for small projects and build confidence 3) Social media : You can use your profile to start conversations with clients, publishers, collaborators etc While approaching a client highlight how your skills and style aligns with their projects requirement. That helps with having a more fruitful discussion which can turn into a sale

Never be afraid to follow up! As I always tell introverted self, it's better to toughen up and just send a message. The worst thing that can happen is a negative response or none at all. In my case, it was often that potential leads just simply forgot to reply!

Consistency and open communication are prime when it comes to following up. Establishing a freelancer-client relationship is one thing, and solidifying that relationship is another. Clarifying from the get go all rights and duties of both parties will surely ease the process and the workflow of the project. There's always a perfect basis for both client satisfaction as well as artistic integrity of the freelancer through open and respectful communication.

I highly recommend joining a local AIGA chapter, as it offers a platform to connect with like-minded creatives and stay updated with industry trends. Following local creatives and agencies on social media is another effective way to stay connected and informed about local opportunities. While it's essential to consider how others can support you, it's equally important to think about how you can contribute to your network. Getting involved in events and organizations, as well as offering assistance to others, can create a reciprocal environment. By taking the time to help others, you increase the likelihood that they will think of you when opportunities arise.

Workshops, seminars, public talks in your local community are ideal for networking. It doesn't always have to be creative industry oriented, it can be as simple as going to a new coffee shop opening, and striking a hello to new faces. You would be surprised of the commonalities creatives have with coffee connoisseurs. Introduce yourself, highlight what you do, and you just might end up with a new client prospect, a word of mouth prospect, or simply a new connection. It's a win win situation.

Always be open-minded and listen to feedback. Sometimes we know the obvious but hearing it will help us reflect. If you don't have time to sit down for hours, follow tiktok or Instagram tutorials; they are broken down to bite-size—each tutorial is about a minute or so. keep learning and your progress will show through your work.

"Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't."-Bill Nye Embracing a willingness to learn from others is crucial for creative growth. It entails actively seeking feedback from colleagues, engaging in networking opportunities, and drawing inspiration from influential artists. Additionally, pursuing personal projects can be highly beneficial. For instance, committing to illustrating in a different style each week for a year or enrolling in a Skillshare course to explore a specific artistic approach can broaden one's skills and horizons.

There is always something to learn, and there is always someone more skilled, more experienced or more knowledgeable than you out there. Take advantage of growth, feast regularly on humility and teachableness, and never stop setting goals.

In my experience, there are always opportunities to showcase your work or gain potential clients. Sometimes they come from the most unexpected places. Keep an open mind, flexible mentality and a keen eye for a chance to jump when opportunity presents itself.

Consider dipping your toes into other areas of expertise, such as digital marketing, social media practices, and public speaking. Being a creative person does require you to also have a few tools in your ammo that is not limited to being an Artist. Being multifaceted in your freelance career can be challenging, but it is equally rewarding when you learn new languages of showcasing your services and skills.