Building Blocks
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Sarah and I built a house in 1999. We have been here for seventeen years. We have raised our four kids here. The house started with a plan. A blue print for the contractor to work with when communicating with the carpenters, electricians and plumbers.
Tip: Each time you see something underlined in this article, you can click the link to learn more about that point or subject.
We love the house. Great house to host parties and family events. It’s served us well. I hope to be here when raising my grand kids, whenever they come along.
My current audience for these articles are a group of apprentices, working in a program with two goals. The first goal is to assist each apprentice to build their freelance illustration business. The second goal is for the apprentice to give back by helping shape and build the illustration agency we began in 2015. I hope to do both. Build your business as you help me build the agency.
As an apprentice, there are no guarantees. If you want something, it’s up to you, you must build it. Your job is to make it happen, build it, grow it, sustain it, see it thrive.
How can I help or assist. I can provide a viable blueprint, a plan, some insight on how to shape your business, how to grow your business. My expertise is in illustration. After twenty seven years in this industry, I can help point you in the right direction on things that work. Illustration has been a bedrock career for me and has fed my family.
Even still, this is your bus. You drive, you are responsible for the maintenance, the insurance, the fuel, the passengers, and your are one hundred percent responsible for the direction your are driving.
This is a key. Before you pull that bus out of the parking lot, no matter how good a driver you are, how cautious, it’s best to know where you are heading. What is your destination? Where are you going? A roadmap.
Consider me as a possible GPS system in helping you get your bus where you want to go. Is it possible that we can work together, to strategically determine where you would like to go?
Personally, I illustrate for the green. Show me the money. No shame. Raising four kids is not cheap.
Here’s a tip: As an illustrator, a professional illustrator, you are not paid by the hour. You are paid for the usage. How is the image used, what is it’s application in the marketplace. Secondly, how long is it going to be used? Licensing fees and usage fees vary. If and when you have a strong enough portfolio to compete in the marketplace. Consider purchasing this resource, The Graphic Artis’s Handbook on Pricing and Ethical Guidelines. Recently, they published a digital version, broken down into three volumes. You can purchase the pricing volume for fifteen dollars.
About six years ago, Kidfresh, reached out to me directly. Asked for an estimate for four illustrations. The company was starting out, the initial contract was $6,000 for four illustrations. However, because I understood how to negotiate the assignment, the assignment and usage continued to grow over the years as they came back and asked for more illustrations. It has ended up being a $60,000 dollar client and they continue to come back each year to request more illustrations as they expand their product line. We have created a relationship, I provide quality images for a client that understands the value of illustration and illustration plays a part in building their brand.
Reach out. Ask questions. Let’s make a plan. I would like to see you build a freelance illustration business you are a proud to call your own.
Travis Foster is a freelance illustrator, illustration agent, cartoonist, husband and dad to four. Travis Foster Reps and Cartoon Zoo are both based in Nashville.
