Tips to freelance illustrators to avoid being screwed over
Hello! Iâm Gabrielle Ragusi. Iâve been a freelance illustrator for years now and, as many other freelancers, I had to deal with difficult situations in the past - recent past. These situations come with the job (for everyone), but they can be easily avoided⌠if only I had known this sooner!
This post doesnât paint a pretty picture of the one client, but know that I refer to a very small percentage of people (the clients I work with are actually great).Â
Yet, the one client exists and these tips might help you face them.
When The One Client tries to screw you over.
From time to time, clients will try to have their way with unforeseeable requests and demands at work started and, quite often, at work done.
Solution: State your terms.
Before starting a project, even a sketch, I strongly suggest sending a contract or a simple Terms of Agreement document in which you state everything: commission process, revisions, payment method, ownership⌠This way they wonât be able to make up some half-ass excuse for their demands.
Also, you donât have to be overly generous. If the client asks for extra revisions, ask for extra payment. The extra money will cover the extra time you spent on the project, so donât feel guilty about it.
When The One Client sells bad ideas or asks for the wrong revisions.
Clients may know what they want, but they also might try to sell ideas that you know wonât work or ask for revisions that wonât make the project look any better. They wonât consciously bamboozle you, but the project has your name on it and judgement will come with the audience feedback.
Solution: Youâre the artist in this project, so speak your mind.
Giving your clients alternatives and your opinion helps the client know that you care about the project and that you know your stuff. You want the best for your client.
When The One Client wants you to work on spec.
On-spec work is a bad idea. If clients contact me, I take for granted theyâve seen my portfolio and know what I do, but if youâre just starting as a professional, my suggestion is to ask for a minimum upfront payment.
The power to say yes doesnât always apply.
This isnât about The One Client but about our own âYesâ, when inside weâre screaming âHell noâ, screwing us over.Â
Yes is not always good. When in doubt, think about your lack of time, disinterest in the project and all those things that lead to bad results!
If you donât have time to work on a new commission, say no. If the project isnât your cup of tea, say no.
Also, not all clients are jerks, so if you explain you donât have time to work on another project right now but they like your portfolio, itâs possible that they will contact you again in the future or ask for your time schedule.
(Donât) Assume that clients know your art style.
This one is tricky and has a lot to do with the first stage of commissions and my personal experience. When clients contact me for the first time, most have seen my portfolio and know what I do. They contact me because of what I do and how I do it. When these clients say âI love your workâ, I naturally assume theyâve seen my portfolio.
But when there are no signals that the person contacting me has seen my work, I canât assume. This happened just a few weeks ago with a client who asked for my availability to illustrate a book after seeing an illustration of mine (the book was about faeries, my illustration had faeries). Problem is I assumed they knew my work, but they didnât. What happened is that they asked me to work on spec, I said no and gave them a minimum quote for an initial sketch instead. Feedback received, I finally understood they hadnât in fact seen my portfolio, although Iâm not sure where they found my email address.
I donât have a real solution to this kind of situation other than not assuming things. I guess itâs a matter of dealing with The One Client once again.
Payment fees are covered by the client, always.
If you receive payments through PayPal and similar services, Iâm sure you know about the fees.
Unfortunately, I found the solution to this only a couple of years ago - looking back at all the money PayPal took from me in fees, I want to cry (living in Europe and working with clients based anywhere in the world, these fees vary, from 2,9% to 4,5% + small transfer fees).Â
Now I send all invoices myself (I donât let clients send money my way on their own) and I add a tax that covers PayPal or Stripeâs fees to the projectâs quote: this is not money that ends up in my pocket, itâs money that PayPal takes, mind you.
My final advice is: be professional.Â
The One Client will try your patience, but donât lose your composure. Even in disagreement, be professional, offer your thoughts and compromise if necessary. If the project is successful, The One Client will be happy. You want your clients to be happy.
I hope youâll find this post helpful!
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