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INSIGHTS


This pages contains links to articles written by Nate Padavick and Salli Swindell, which provide valuable insights into the world of freelance illustration. 

IS YOUR FREELANCE ILLUSTRATION PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE?


This article discusses how “sustainability” goes beyond just making ends meet—it’s about creating a practice that provides four pillars of support: financial, creative, social, and personal.


HOW TO FIND YOUR ILLUSTRATION NICHE


Explore the importance of niche marketing for freelance illustrators through examples of niche markets, profiles of illustrators with strong niches, and highlights of the benefits of this strategy.

HOW TO COMMISSION AN ILLUSTRATOR FOR YOUR CHILDREN’S BOOK


This guide provides children's book authors with valuable insights on how to effectively commission an illustrator for their projects.

WHY IS SEO IMPORTANT FOR FREELANCE ILLUSTRATORS?


This comprehensive guide will delve into why SEO is crucial for freelance illustrators and outline the best practices they should prioritize to enhance their online presence and reach a wider audience.

HOW TO FINE-TUNE THE FEEDS YOU FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM


Following specific feeds on Instagram can benefit your illustration business by providing inspiration, gaining insights into illustration trends, and discovering opportunities for networking and collaboration.
IFH Member-only content.

HOW TO IDENTIFY AN EMAIL SCAM


This article raises awareness of email scams and helps freelance illustrators identify an email scam before it’s too late. 
IFH Member-only content.

HOW TO MAKE AN ART DIRECTORY HAPPY


We reached out to 20 art directors and asked them the same question: why would you hire a freelancer a second time? There answers are highly insightful...and sometimes surprising! 
IFH Member-only content.

THE ILLUSTRATOR’S CIRCLE


The Illustrator's Circle provides extra inspiration for people who love to draw. From live meet-ups to on-demand videos to step-by-step guides, this platform stimulates the creative corner of your brain.
IFH Members have free access.


HOW TO MAKE YOUR INSTRAGRAM PROFILE MORE PROFESSIONAL


This guide demonstrates how just a few incremental tweaks to your Instagram profile can increase your professional appearance in the eyes of art directors.

DO I NEED AN ILLUSTRATION AGENT?


This article helps freelance illustrators better understand the role of an illustration agent, the services they provide, the expectations of the business relationship, and the steps towards finding an agent.
IFH Member-only content.

SEO FOR ILLUSTRATORS


This article explains why Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is vital for illustrators to understand. It provides freelance illustrators with tips for making quick fixes to improve their sites in the near-term and guidance for designing a new site in the long-term.

ILLUSTRATOR ATTRIBUTES LOVED BY ART DIRECTORS


Art directors play a pivotal role in the creative industry, acting as the bridge between artistic vision and its realization. This essay explores the qualities that art directors look for when hiring freelancers.
IFH Member-only content.


THE PRO SERIES


They don’t teach you this in art school! A series of five seminars, led by Nate Padavick, that focus on the business of illustration. IFH Members have free access.
IFH Member-only content.


SUGGESTED CONTRACT LANGUAGE TO PROTECT AGAINST AI TRAINING


This article contains contract language illustrators may use to restrict AI companies from using their illustrations as training data.
IFH Member-only content.


WHAT DATA GOES ON AN ILLUSTRATION INVOICE?


This article contains the key elements that should appear on an illustrator’s invoice. 

ARE YOU AN ILLUSTRATOR?


Do you want to...
  • attract more clients?
  • become better at the business of illustration?
  • connect with a community of like-minded creatives?

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