Seeking Legal and Ginancial Advice

There are a number of useful websites that provide information and support for self employed people. These sites are very useful to help understand your rights and responsibilities in relation to tax, insurance and other legal requirements.

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/self-employment
https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself
http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=5890

https://www.gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader/register

While these sights are useful for general information about being self employed they do not deal with freelance illustration specific issues such as contracts and pricing. The Association of Illustrators provides detailed information on all aspects of professional practice including contacts, pricing and finance. They conduct pricing surveys that look at all categories of illustration. You have to be a member of the association of illustrators to make use of their resources but they provide a high level of support including professional contact lists.

The association of illustrators acts as a professional network similar to our own but more organised and on a much larger scale. We can make use of our own network in a similar way, sharing information on clients, advice about pricing and support. 

Social Media

I have spent the last couple of days sorting out my online presence by setting up my own website, Tumblr, The Dots, Linked In and instagram. The website is now nearly finished, I just need to sort decide on header images and add some more links to social media. The main problem I have been having is that I only really want to display recent work as my practice has changed a lot in the last year but most of my work has been for specific briefs and I’m not sure whether I should be sharing it at this point. I want to build up a good level of content before starting to network on all the social media sites. I would think that industry professionals will be contacted by a large number of people so I want to make sure my profiles demonstrate my practice and look professional to make the best possible first impression. I will need to manage and maintain each of these platforms with regular updates and keep the content professional and appealing. I should work out a schedule for updates so that I keep up to date and know what I have updated.

I am going to work on some personal projects through extended practice that will generate content for these sites. I will focus on content that demonstrates not only my skills but my personality and individuality. I think it is important to look at how other practitioners use the sites to showcase work. I want my posts to appear professional without being too formal. The language I use and the quality of photography etc will be important.

Hanbury questions

What do you think was the most important thing about this event?

- introducing ourselves to industry professionals 

- gaining confidence to talk about our work in a professional way

- taking the first steps to building a network 

- learning what agents and publishers look for in illustrators 

- learning what is expected of us (professionalism)

- learning the importance of social media presence and self promotion

Do you think you got enough out of this event?

- hugely positive experience that has already influenced how I work 

- helped inform where I should take my practice and how to do that 

- should have spoken to professionals one on one more 

- should have prepared questions to help open a dialogue 

-  looking forward to the next event, chance to showcase work and make sure I am more prepared 

What would improve next?

- more promotion of the event on social media 

- more thought into individual promotional material and how to hand it out/ display it 

- more variety in speakers 

- more for the speakers to do once they’re finished, organised individual chats etc (could be organised beforehand to stop swarming) 

- organise portfolio drop offs/ meetings around the next event. Can get in touch with publishers etc to ask advice and  invite to the show 

Plans from now 

- build portfolio based on the advice of the speakers

- get in contact with the speakers, ask advice etc

- demonstrate personality and views through work (individuality)

- start building not work of contacts 

- organise meetings around the event in July 

- plan how to showcase my work and who I would like to speak at the event 

One thing you can take away from this event

- the importance of self promotion through networking and social media presence 

What simple idea do you think can sell this event to professionals?

- an opportunity to be the first to see upcoming creative professionals 

Plan of action- Hanbury Reflection

Based on both the information from Hanbury and conversations with tutors I want to devise a plan of action for the rest of the year and beyond.

Portfolio
- we’ll,edited portfolio, 20-25 illustrations
- include a variety of illustrations showing entire practice and range of skills
- lead with a strong image
- don’t include work I don’t want to do
- too many images can weaken the impact of best work
- extended practice - only work on briefs that benefit my practice
- make more personal work that demonstrates personality

Build social media presence
- regular updates
- interact with other illustrators
- build network with classmates and beyond
- produce quick pieces that deal with current events
- find balance between personality and professionalism

Industry contacts
- talk to industry professionals
- ask for advice
- research before contacting
- make sure work suits their business
- no generic emails, personal use them
- try to arrange meetings/ portfolio drop offs for next Hanbury event