Creating Your Professional Portfolio.

From '90 Ways to Market Your Children's Illustration Career'...by Kerrie Lent

1.      Create your professional portfolio.

The key word here is definitely ‘professional’.  Your portfolio is going to represent who you are, the quality of work you do and the subject matter and style in which you work.  Not only is the content of your portfolio very important but the way in which you display it is equally as important. 

 

Let’s talk about the content first.  Only display your best work!  Take your time and really go through your artwork carefully and listen to your instincts.  Don’t be tempted to include an image that you don’t feel 100% confident about. 

Consider the following points when selecting your portfolio images…

-         Which pieces feel like they represent you the very best? 

-         Which ones are perfectly executed? 

-         Which images do you know without a doubt should be included?

-         Do these images represent the type of work you’d like to be doing?

-         Is the quality of the reproduction professional?

Consider asking a colleague, teacher or instructor to review and critique your portfolio.  Ask them what they think and stay objective about their answers.

Your portfolio should always be about quality, not quantity.  While you are considering some of the points above be sure to limit the number of pieces in your portfolio.  For a physical portfolio the traditional number of images to include have been from 10-20 pieces.  Always be sure to start and finish with your strongest pieces.  For a digital or online portfolio you may wish to include more images but again be sure that you’re including strong pieces.  It’s quick and easy to upload images for an online portfolio so remember to take a minute to consider each piece carefully.  Continue the theme of professionalism and quality throughout your portfolio.  If you don’t have one, invest in a nice portfolio case.  Be sure each image is scanned, printed and displayed cleanly and professionally in your portfolio.  The way you present yourself and your work will reflect to a potential art buyer how you work as an illustrator and what they can (or cannot) expect from you.  For your online portfolio maintain the same eye to professionalism and quality.  Be sure your images maintain their integrity, considering the resolution and color likeness of your original images.  Ensure that they are displayed professionally online and appear as you expect them to.

The age old debate exists as to whether or not you should show diversity in style and ability in your portfolio or represent yourself with one specific style.  I think this is dependent on what your goals are, where you are in your career, what you feel comfortable with and who you’re marketing or showing your portfolio to.  Knowing what your goals are within the industry will help you to cater your portfolio to that specific part of the industry.  Listen to feedback and change or update your portfolio when appropriate.  If your portfolio is diverse, order it so that it flows nicely and makes sense, or connects through a common theme whether it be style, subject matter, medium etc.  Consider having more than one professional portfolio if you work within different industries.  In this instance you may be showcasing a couple of different styles to different art buyers, they will appreciate that you have a clear understanding of what you offer and to whom. 

In summary, the most important thing to consider when creating or updating your portfolio is to portray yourself professionally while displaying quality work.

All the best,

Kerrie

The next point I’ll be expanding on from '90 Ways to Market Your Children's Illustration Career' is – 2. Write up your biography, client list, bibliography, resume or c.v.

Copyright 2011 Kerrie Lent.  Please contact me for reproduction inquiries. 

90 Ways to Market Your Children's Illustration Portfolio!

The how and why…

So, I thought I would give myself a challenge.  I had been thinking about all of the ways I should be marketing myself and thought that I should make more of a commitment to follow through.  I knew I had to give myself a deadline or I’d be working on it for weeks instead of marketing myself.  Surely there must be many more ways to market myself than I really think!  So the challenge became to come up with 90 ways in under 90 minutes.  I did it…90 ways in 90 minutes!  Well, I did go slightly over the 90 minutes but not by much and surprisingly I came up with 105 points.  Some were slight repeats so after some editing I have 90 good ways to market my illustration career.  The list is comprised of the very obvious, to different ideas I’ve tried, hear of or been told in the past, plus a few of my own.  

The 90 ways...   

1.      Create your professional portfolio.

2.      Write up your biography, client list, bibliography, resume or c.v.

3.      Create a website with an online portfolio.

4.      Create a blog.

5.      Create a Facebook page.

6.      Create a Twitter account.

7.      Join or like other Facebook groups within the industry.

8.      Create a post card.

9.      Prepare or create a tear sheet of your work.

10.  Prepare a marketing package include, tear sheets, illustration samples, post card, cover letter, resume/biography.

11.  Blog and add updates to your website often.

12.  Join industry associations.

13.  Attend association meetings.

14.  Join industry directories.

15.  Join social art groups locally or online.

16.  Buy or take out from the library the book ‘Children’s Writers and Illustrator’s Market’.

17.  Research picture books you like and find publishers that publish your style of work.

18.  Research possible publishers carefully reviewing their submission guidelines.

19.  Research agents, carefully reviewing their submission guidelines.

20.  Research educational publishers reviewing their submission guidelines.

21.  Research magazines reviewing their submission guidelines.

22.  Research contests you can enter your art in.

23.  Research awards and grants you can apply for.

24.  Record dates and enter contests, apply for awards and grants.

25.  Enter local art shows to exhibit your work.

26.  Hold an art show yourself to showcase your work.

27.  Enter any other industry art shows.

28.  Donate a piece of your artwork for charity.

29.  Write a press release and send it out locally and within the industry.

30.  Write helpful articles such as advice on tools, tips, and your experiences.

31.  Answer some typical interview questions about yourself and post them on your website or blog.

32.  Take some courses. Don’t forget to network.

33.  Do a drawing a day to keep your skills and energy up.

34.  Create more illustrations for your portfolio.

35.  Enter online art participatory events.

36.  Send your marketing package to your researched publishers, agents, magazine and educational publishers.

37.  Create an online store to sell and market your prints, cards etc.

38.  Tell your family and friends what your goals are. Go big.

39.  Create business cards.

40.  Pass out your business cards to everyone you know.  Give them each two or three, one to keep and a couple to give away on your behalf.

41.  Make your studio or art space comfortable and inspiring.

42.  Organize your office or business space.

43.  Advertise yourself locally.

44.  Ask for referrals and testimonials.  Follow them up.

45.  Research newspapers for editorial work.

46.  Research advertising agencies.

47.  Research greeting card companies.

48.  Research manufacturers for licensing.

49.  Contact the newspapers, ad agencies, greeting card and manufacturers you researched.

50.  Take part in, or review industry forums.

51.  Search for art jobs online.

52.  Look in major newspapers for art jobs.

53.  Create a newsletter.

54.  Contact design studios.

55.  Go to industry trade shows. Take your business cards.

56.  Attend an industry awards event. Take your business cards.

57.  Write a story and illustrate it.

58.  Try adding some adverting to your vehicle.

59.  Network.

60.  Attend a workshop.

61.  Teach a course.

62.  Teach a workshop.

63.  Do school visits.

64.  Do book signings.

65.  Create a profile on LinkedIn.

66.  Know the market, study current trends, styles etc.

67.  See if other artists will post a link to you on their blog or website.

68.  Call people!  If there is a phone number, give it a try.  Be professional and polite.

69.  Create a book or nicely designed print version of your portfolio.

70.  Find some inspiration, watch a movie, go to an art gallery, exhibition or museum.

71.  Read some good marketing books. Remember you are a business.

72.  Compile a contact list. Include everyone you know, have worked with and want to work with.  Include your family and friends.

73.  Create a reply card to go with your marketing package and SASE.

74.  Find a mentor in the business.  Someone you can talk to, ask questions etc.

75.  Create your own letterhead.

76.  Tell people you will follow up and follow up.

77.  Email or call clients you have done work for in the past.

78.  Print a calendar and send it to your best clients and prospects.

79.  Consider advertising in a creative annual print catalog.

80.  Read some success stories/interviews about illustrators you admire to re-fuel.

81.  Take care of yourself… eat well, get enough sleep, be positive.

82.  Create specific goals.  Write them down and keep them visible.

83.  Create a ‘to do’ list and check it daily.

84.  Write down any special deadlines for contests, submissions etc.

85.  Create a digital portfolio and keep it available for distribution through email or on a CD.

86.  Promote your stock illustrations specifically.

87.  Send out holiday greetings to your contact list.

88.  Announce any awards you receive or special achievements.

89.  Try a new computer program, technique or something fun!

90.  Do it all over again!

Good Luck!  Keep checking back as I expand on each point!

Copyright 2011 Kerrie Lent.  Please contact me for reproduction inquiries.