Hi idk if you will see this comment or not but I hope you do. I have recently started out as a fulltime freelance illustrator and I didn't know a lot things like how to price my art, how to get an agent and even how to frame a contract and what all to include in it!! Your videos are so so helpful, they are literally like a charity cause as other experienced artists charge money for all this info. As someone who doesn't have any friends in the industry(yet), these have been a life saver!!! Please keep on making these videos and guiding us humble lambs!
Thanks for this video! I'd definitely be interested in a more in-depth look at the shady tactics some clients use, though I totally understand why you didn't have room for it in this already very informative video. Your channel is becoming an amazing resource!!
I literally have been watching all of your videos I feel like I’m in a class learning some of the most valuable things about being an artist professionally. Thank you so much!
I love this video because your examples have some actual numbers and phrasing in it. It's so informative and helpful. Your videos are always so nicely structured and well researched. Thanks to your insights you took away a great deal of my fears and insecurity.
Your videos are such a lifesaver! I’m currently negotiating for a children’s book job. Based on my rate of $30 (which is on the lower end of my scale since I know she is just an individual) and 5 hours per page (including multiple revisions, full color, etc.) I ended up at $150 per page. However, she is trying to haggle me down to $75 per page since that is what her previous illustrator had done for her. I know my experience is deserving of my rate and let her know that it does take 5 hours to go through all the revision stages necessary for this project… I offered to remove a drafting stage which brings me down to $120 per page, but now she’s ghosting me. Oh well. It’s sad to see clients try to undervalue my work but luckily I have had (and continue to have) other commission opportunities that pay me what I’m worth :)
Good for you for knowing your worth! There will always be other projects and honestly working with this person (who doesn't value you) might have been a headache you avoided :)
I was looking forward to this at light box expo 2021 but wasn’t able to make it at the time. Ever since, it’s been in the back of my mind that I ought to watch this so I really appreciate this still being accessible long after the event. I found the examples of different ways to write things very helpful. Definitely a confidence booster.
Thank you for these videos, they really helped me figure out how I should go about pricing my art. I'd really like that video on shady tactics, because I've wasted my time dealing with nightmare clients too many times. I never actually worked with them thankfully, but I'm still frustrated about all the time I wasted trying to negotiate their often nonsensical terms only for them to pull the classic "your art sucks anyway." Knowing how to spot the red flags and nip it in the bud would be really helpful.
I really enjoyed this video, Anoosha, thank you so much! As a freelance illustrator who's starting to get some publishing jobs, your videos have helped me plenty. I'd also be very interested if you made a video specifically on how to deal with a messy clients since I have found myself entangled in a project with one and I"d like to know how to avoid them better in the future. )): Specifically ones that gives you a deadline estimate that's generous in the beginning but changes it after signing the contract. Would appreciate any tips on that. Sending much love from Malaysia!
Thank you for this video Anoosha! I'm just starting out as a freelance illustrator and had to turn down a couple offers last month because the budgets were too low. I was starting to worry about my prices, but this gave me so much hope. I just learned a lot on how I can understand the client's needs better for the next time. Thank you so much for all the comforting words to us newbie freelance artists out there ❤
Hi Anoosha That was really helpful video. I had horrible experiences. I am also illustrator works on this field. And because my academic background is preschool education I mostly work as an editor as well. Even though I do multiple works they were never open about price. And sometimes they didn't even pay when I finished all pages because they had problem with writer who doesn't want to publish the story anymore. Instead of getting paid I even lost money after months works and efforts. I changed lot of company and I am still working like a charity... Instead of companies I need to change myself! Because I am too naive.
Another awesome and informative video!! What do you do when you've already set a super low price and don't know how to detangle yourself from that mess? Because being new to this and getting approached by clients I've been letting fear and insecurity lead my costing. But this video has been a HUGE help! Your entire Channel is!
Can we expect a video on the price based on the amount of illustration work on same type of work? Like heavy illustration and lighter ones; for number of page illustrations; for close deadlines or light ones; for different size of pages (amount of work on it) etc. Like for small and big project differences. I don't know if I'm able to make you understand myself.
I really appreciated you helpful videos! I am however unclear on the meaning of this part: "Approval when possible, or consultation if you can’t get approval, on the cover, interior design, color accuracy." Does it mean that they won't make you wait to know if something is approved?
Thank you so much for all of the hard work and research you put into these videos! As an illustrator who has no fellow illustrator friends/mutuals, I really appreciate these. I do have a couple of questions after watching this... Of course I understand if you don't have time to address these! 1. I hear you mention royalties a few times. I've illustrated 9 children's books in the past 2.5 years, and I've never been offered royalties. My agents never mention it, either. I've always assumed it's just not common/normal for illustrators to receive royalties. Is that wrong? Just depends? 2. As mentioned above, I do have agents. My dad and bf are always saying I need to renegotiate the agent fee/cut (so that I get more), but I have no idea if that's normal or not. Idk it just feels rude. Is that something illustrators do?
1) It really depends on the project, but having an agent (more importantly a GOOD agent) helps. With my original agency, all my projects were without royalty, but once I left them and signed on with a new agent who was a better fit for me, since then all my projects have had royalty (unless they were work for hire). For some agents, getting a royalty is a big priority so it depends. 2) It might be difficult to negotiate a agent fee change, especially since its standard for their company and probably used for everyone working under them. However there's no reason why you cant try? Especially if you have been bringing in a lot of work for the agency and feel like you are bringing in value :)
I say this with kindness and not as a criticism, but I think it would really help if you were able to get a mic for your videos! You're doing a killer job with the content, filming, etc. and the added bonus of smooth, easy to listen to audio would be a cherry on top! You can get decent shotgun mics to mount on your camera for around $100 CAD, or if you tend to have the camera positioned far away from yourself then you might want to look into a lavalier lapel system (though usually more expensive). I worked at camera stores for nearly 7 years, so not just talking out my butt. :P But yes, take care and I'm sorry my comment is on the negative side!!
Hi Megan! Thank you for letting me know; audio is a big struggle for me (no idea how to edit it at all) and I was aware that I sounded awful but had no idea what to do to improve it. I'll invest into a mic and if you have any recommendations I'd really appreciate it!
If the client is not a publisher but a brand, is it okay to ask their budget when they asked my rate? Since publishers know the industry but brands might not.
Meaning that if the publisher wants make some of their own design changes or adds things (like changing colors, the text, where things are placed) then before they finalize they must make sure the artist is ok with it
Hi Anoosha, You’re talking about a client who gives you his project’s budget but… what about a client who asked to illustrate his children’s book but won’t say what his budget is? The client an individual who want to self publish so I can assumed that he doesn’t have a lot of money. I really want this job but at the same time I don’t want to work for 8$/ hour. How would you go about this? If I ask too much he will look elsewhere and if I ask too low I’m the one loosing. It’s not an ideal situation.
Do you have an idea of what your budget is? And how low you are willing to go for? Unfortunately, there will be many times in your career where you will be faced with a low paying project and you have to ask yourself if it's really worth taking on. Is it a project you are absolutely passionate about? Do you have another income stream that can support you while you take this on? Is this a dream client? Do you really, REALLY need the money? Only you can make the decision and weigh the pros and cons. Figure out what your ideal rate is if you are willing to go lower to meet their budget, and what your lowest bar is before you walk away. If you're worried the client will ghost you; would you have been ok with working a very low paying job? It might be for the best that you didn't work on it then. If the main reason you are taking on this project is for the experience, I always tell people that you can fill your portfolio with personal projects instead.
Don't know how I bumped onto this. Anyway Awesome content 🤩🤩🤩. I also have been watching those rather similar from mStarTutorials and kinda wonder how you guys create these stuff. MSTAR TUTORIALS also had cool info about similiar things on his vids.
Hi idk if you will see this comment or not but I hope you do. I have recently started out as a fulltime freelance illustrator and I didn't know a lot things like how to price my art, how to get an agent and even how to frame a contract and what all to include in it!! Your videos are so so helpful, they are literally like a charity cause as other experienced artists charge money for all this info. As someone who doesn't have any friends in the industry(yet), these have been a life saver!!! Please keep on making these videos and guiding us humble lambs!
Thanks for this video! I'd definitely be interested in a more in-depth look at the shady tactics some clients use, though I totally understand why you didn't have room for it in this already very informative video. Your channel is becoming an amazing resource!!
Thank you so much!
I literally have been watching all of your videos I feel like I’m in a class learning some of the most valuable things about being an artist professionally. Thank you so much!
I love this video because your examples have some actual numbers and phrasing in it. It's so informative and helpful. Your videos are always so nicely structured and well researched. Thanks to your insights you took away a great deal of my fears and insecurity.
Glad it was helpful!
Your videos are such a lifesaver! I’m currently negotiating for a children’s book job. Based on my rate of $30 (which is on the lower end of my scale since I know she is just an individual) and 5 hours per page (including multiple revisions, full color, etc.) I ended up at $150 per page. However, she is trying to haggle me down to $75 per page since that is what her previous illustrator had done for her. I know my experience is deserving of my rate and let her know that it does take 5 hours to go through all the revision stages necessary for this project… I offered to remove a drafting stage which brings me down to $120 per page, but now she’s ghosting me. Oh well. It’s sad to see clients try to undervalue my work but luckily I have had (and continue to have) other commission opportunities that pay me what I’m worth :)
Good for you for knowing your worth! There will always be other projects and honestly working with this person (who doesn't value you) might have been a headache you avoided :)
Oh man, I'm in a very similar boat. :( I'm glad you're able to find other opportunities though, that's awesome!
I was looking forward to this at light box expo 2021 but wasn’t able to make it at the time. Ever since, it’s been in the back of my mind that I ought to watch this so I really appreciate this still being accessible long after the event. I found the examples of different ways to write things very helpful. Definitely a confidence booster.
I love your content and message!! Thanks so much for talking about these things.
Thank you for these videos, they really helped me figure out how I should go about pricing my art. I'd really like that video on shady tactics, because I've wasted my time dealing with nightmare clients too many times. I never actually worked with them thankfully, but I'm still frustrated about all the time I wasted trying to negotiate their often nonsensical terms only for them to pull the classic "your art sucks anyway." Knowing how to spot the red flags and nip it in the bud would be really helpful.
This is so incredibly useful, thank you so much for taking the time to do these Anoosha !! ♥
You’re welcome!
I really enjoyed this video, Anoosha, thank you so much! As a freelance illustrator who's starting to get some publishing jobs, your videos have helped me plenty. I'd also be very interested if you made a video specifically on how to deal with a messy clients since I have found myself entangled in a project with one and I"d like to know how to avoid them better in the future. )): Specifically ones that gives you a deadline estimate that's generous in the beginning but changes it after signing the contract. Would appreciate any tips on that. Sending much love from Malaysia!
Thank you and Ill keep that in mind!
Thank you for this video Anoosha! I'm just starting out as a freelance illustrator and had to turn down a couple offers last month because the budgets were too low. I was starting to worry about my prices, but this gave me so much hope. I just learned a lot on how I can understand the client's needs better for the next time. Thank you so much for all the comforting words to us newbie freelance artists out there ❤
I’m glad it was helpful!!!
I'd love a video on shady clients! Honestly they've soured me a little bit on the whole concept of commissioned work, but I'm getting back into it now
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us 💖
I’m glad it’s helpful Marlene!
Hi Anoosha
That was really helpful video.
I had horrible experiences. I am also illustrator works on this field. And because my academic background is preschool education I mostly work as an editor as well. Even though I do multiple works they were never open about price. And sometimes they didn't even pay when I finished all pages because they had problem with writer who doesn't want to publish the story anymore. Instead of getting paid I even lost money after months works and efforts. I changed lot of company and I am still working like a charity... Instead of companies I need to change myself! Because I am too naive.
I'm glad this video was helpful and I hope you're able to negotiate and protect yourself in future projects!
Thank you for making such amazing informative videos to help other artists!
I’m glad it was helpful for you!
Another awesome and informative video!! What do you do when you've already set a super low price and don't know how to detangle yourself from that mess? Because being new to this and getting approached by clients I've been letting fear and insecurity lead my costing. But this video has been a HUGE help! Your entire Channel is!
Same boat. :((
Can we expect a video on the price based on the amount of illustration work on same type of work? Like heavy illustration and lighter ones; for number of page illustrations; for close deadlines or light ones; for different size of pages (amount of work on it) etc. Like for small and big project differences. I don't know if I'm able to make you understand myself.
Have you seen my Pricing for Artists video? I hope that might help answer some questions?
I really appreciated you helpful videos! I am however unclear on the meaning of this part:
"Approval when possible, or consultation if you can’t get approval, on the cover, interior design, color accuracy."
Does it mean that they won't make you wait to know if something is approved?
Thank you so much for all of the hard work and research you put into these videos! As an illustrator who has no fellow illustrator friends/mutuals, I really appreciate these. I do have a couple of questions after watching this... Of course I understand if you don't have time to address these!
1. I hear you mention royalties a few times. I've illustrated 9 children's books in the past 2.5 years, and I've never been offered royalties. My agents never mention it, either. I've always assumed it's just not common/normal for illustrators to receive royalties. Is that wrong? Just depends?
2. As mentioned above, I do have agents. My dad and bf are always saying I need to renegotiate the agent fee/cut (so that I get more), but I have no idea if that's normal or not. Idk it just feels rude. Is that something illustrators do?
1) It really depends on the project, but having an agent (more importantly a GOOD agent) helps. With my original agency, all my projects were without royalty, but once I left them and signed on with a new agent who was a better fit for me, since then all my projects have had royalty (unless they were work for hire). For some agents, getting a royalty is a big priority so it depends.
2) It might be difficult to negotiate a agent fee change, especially since its standard for their company and probably used for everyone working under them. However there's no reason why you cant try? Especially if you have been bringing in a lot of work for the agency and feel like you are bringing in value :)
I say this with kindness and not as a criticism, but I think it would really help if you were able to get a mic for your videos! You're doing a killer job with the content, filming, etc. and the added bonus of smooth, easy to listen to audio would be a cherry on top! You can get decent shotgun mics to mount on your camera for around $100 CAD, or if you tend to have the camera positioned far away from yourself then you might want to look into a lavalier lapel system (though usually more expensive). I worked at camera stores for nearly 7 years, so not just talking out my butt. :P
But yes, take care and I'm sorry my comment is on the negative side!!
Hi Megan! Thank you for letting me know; audio is a big struggle for me (no idea how to edit it at all) and I was aware that I sounded awful but had no idea what to do to improve it. I'll invest into a mic and if you have any recommendations I'd really appreciate it!
If the client is not a publisher but a brand, is it okay to ask their budget when they asked my rate? Since publishers know the industry but brands might not.
Hi Anoosha, thanks for another helpful video!
I'm not 100% sure what you mean at 33:57 - please can you explain? TIA x
Meaning that if the publisher wants make some of their own design changes or adds things (like changing colors, the text, where things are placed) then before they finalize they must make sure the artist is ok with it
Hi Anoosha, You’re talking about a client who gives you his project’s budget but… what about a client who asked to illustrate his children’s book but won’t say what his budget is? The client an individual who want to self publish so I can assumed that he doesn’t have a lot of money. I really want this job but at the same time I don’t want to work for 8$/ hour. How would you go about this? If I ask too much he will look elsewhere and if I ask too low I’m the one loosing. It’s not an ideal situation.
Do you have an idea of what your budget is? And how low you are willing to go for?
Unfortunately, there will be many times in your career where you will be faced with a low paying project and you have to ask yourself if it's really worth taking on.
Is it a project you are absolutely passionate about? Do you have another income stream that can support you while you take this on? Is this a dream client? Do you really, REALLY need the money?
Only you can make the decision and weigh the pros and cons. Figure out what your ideal rate is if you are willing to go lower to meet their budget, and what your lowest bar is before you walk away. If you're worried the client will ghost you; would you have been ok with working a very low paying job? It might be for the best that you didn't work on it then.
If the main reason you are taking on this project is for the experience, I always tell people that you can fill your portfolio with personal projects instead.
@@AnooshaSyed Thank you so much Anoosha, you gave me a lot to think about. I will definitly take all that into consideration. 🥰
Have a great day!
i watch these videos knowing that i'm not a professional artist and likely would never be one.
Don't know how I bumped onto this. Anyway Awesome content 🤩🤩🤩. I also have been watching those rather similar from mStarTutorials and kinda wonder how you guys create these stuff. MSTAR TUTORIALS also had cool info about similiar things on his vids.