How I went from being an Illustrator with Zero clients to Fully Booked for a Year in Advance

Starting out, I had some knowledge in art and #illustration, but children’s books were something completely new to me. It’s a different animal than any other art form and you need to learn the basics and fundamentals of the niche. I was living on my sister's couch at the time, broke and anxious about my future. I wanted to make illustration my full time career and I did not want to "get a real job" to pay the bills

So how exactly did I go from 0 clients to fully booked for a year??

• First I had to make a decision, I had to believe that I could do it and change my mindset. I visualized myself as the person I was going to be in the future. I decided that I would do what it takes and work as hard as I could to get to where I wanted to be.
• Then, I Started with my portfolio; I needed a children’s book style in order to attract clients. I didn’t have any previous work so I created my own children’s book project illustrations that looked like they have come from a children’s book.?Then I had to get it out there! I posted my work on Facebook groups and forums.?I love the SVS learn forums where you can illustrate the monthly prompt and other illustrators can offer critiques. I landed my first children’s book project “And that's Why I think I prefer a rainbow horse” by Tiarra Nazario?through a Facebook group.?
• Once I landed my first client, I put my everything into it! Client satisfaction was my biggest priority. I took my time learning about bleeds and page size specifications and I made sure to check in with my client regularly with sketches, character designs, and updates with each page I completed for approval from her.?This also brings up the question of how much you should charge as a beginner. I started very low at first in order to get my foot in the door and gain experience. Because it was my first book, I was not confident asking a large amount. I went with a number that I felt comfortable with, and then as I gained experience and confidence, I increased my price with each new client.?
• Then once the first book was published, I could use that in my portfolio, post it on social media to gain some social proof and trust and land my next job. Which was?Jessica Lisk’s “Oh the seeds you can sow”.?Jessica did a really good job at marketing her book. And the cool thing about that is, other authors see your name on the cover and they start reaching out to you instead of you looking for them. This is the secret to getting more clients. In the beginning it’s an uphill battle trying to find clients, but at some point, if you have delivered good service and client satisfaction, there is a breaking point where word of mouth brings clients to you and you won’t have to go looking.?

I basically just repeated that over and over again, continuing to learn new skills in illustrations, continuing to bring more value to my clients and continuing to update my portfolio with each new book published. The more books I have illustrated the more my illustrations get seen and the more clients come to me. It’s like a snowball effect.?

I have done 2 more books for my first client Tiarra and 2 more books for Jessica in the years following. When you have a few clients who keeps coming back and you have new clients that come to you from word of mouth your bookings will quickly start filling up.?

Don’t expect immediate, overnight success. It took me 3 years to be fully booked for a year in advance. It started out with getting clients month to month, then having 2 clients booked ahead of time then 6 months. The main thing to remember is to do your very best now. Treat your clients like they are paying you 1 million dollars for your illustration work and they will come back. Most of my bookings are from clients who have worked with me in the past. Do your absolute best to deliver your best work possible and to give your clients a good experience, remember that they put their trust in you to make their book come to life. This is a very exciting time for them and you are a big part of their experience. If you make it a good one, they will come back to you when they want their next book illustrated.?

How to keep clients coming back to you:?

• Check in regularly and communicate clearly. Be friendly, but professional. Create a relationship with them, ask them how their weekend was and share a few personal details with them.?
• Deliver the best quality work you can possibly produce?
• Share each step with them. They want to be part of your process! Ask for their opinion and approval on sketches, character design, and final illustrations.?
• Keep adding extra value! Think about what else you can offer them? Think coloring pages, PNG files for sticker sheets, end paper pattern designs, graphics for their kickstarter campaign. How can you help them be more successful with their book???
• Support them after they have published. Share, like and comment on their post. Help them get the word out. If their book becomes a success, so will your illustrations!?

Other tips for illustrators:

• Put 30% of each commission away for tax?
• When you have a good month, put some of it away in savings for leaner months?
• Always go the extra mile and do more than what your clients expect of you.?
• Bring more value to your clients to earn more?

Where to from here?

I have been so blessed for getting to work with amazing clients and I am so grateful for being booked up for over a year and having a waiting list for 2024 that I want to share in my success. I want to help other illustrators and children's book freelancers find and build a long term client base so that they can ultimately be successful in their own careers and be full time freelancers. I am launching my Children's Book Freelancer directory, Caterpillar Collective at the end of January to showcase other #illustrators, #editors, #graphicdesigner designers, coaches, #animators, formatters, etc. and help them find clients. If you are a children's book #freelancer or #author looking to hire a freelancer consider joining the launch team. Sign up here: