It’s rare that someone becomes a freelance illustrator so that they can learn about copyright, contracts and cash flow. Artists want to create art, not spreadsheets.
In an ideal world, illustrators would focus all of their time and attention on illustrating. However, in reality, if you want to build a sustainable career as a freelance illustrator, you're going to have to learn how to run a business.
Luckily, we live in the age of online information. There are plenty of websites which break down the basics of business into digestible chunks. They make it easy for illustrators to minimise the amount of time they have to spend with numbers and maximise the hours they can dedicate to drawing.
Below is a list of resources covering all different areas of business, from finance to finding clients...
General Business Advice
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Freelancing Full-Time by The Arena
How To Start An Independent Business by We Present
6 Books To Supercharge Your Business by Creative Boom
The Best Freelance Tools For Creatives by Creative Boom
Networking & Finding Clients
A Guide To Networking by Creative Lives in Progress
The Art Of Reaching Out by The Arena
Level Up Your Networking Game by The Arena
A Guide to Finding Freelance Clients by Creative Live in Progress
Inside My Concept Decks for Clients by Furry Little Peach
Finance
The Ins & Outs of Tax Finance by We Present
A New Freelancer’s Guide To Feeling Confident About Money by Creative Lives in Progress
How To Organise & Look After Cashflow by We Present
Contracts & Copyright
What is a Contract? by Association of Illustrators
What is Copyright? by Association of Illustrators
How to License Illustration by Association of Illustrators
Publishing Contracts: The Basics by Associations of Illustrators
Social Media
Using Instagram In A Healthy Way by Creative Lives in Progress
Making Social Media Work For You by We Present
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