Online self promotion Members  

Social media is vital to self promotion ? but don?t overlook other important online platforms. In this resource we explore the importance of a website, what is best to include on yours, use of social media, newsletters, competitions and more.

Introduction

In the highly competitive, web-reliant, illustration market it?s vital to know how to use the internet to your advantage. The more frequently a potential commissioner encounters your work, and the more variety of work within your illustrations they are exposed to as a result, the less likely they are to pigeonhole you  and the more likely you are to remain at the top of their consciousness too.

Don't be pigeonholed

The way in which potential clients view your work will be influenced by the projects they?re engaged in and what imagery they require for those. The plethora of talent in our industry means that some commissioners will possibly opt for the illustrator who already comes closest to meeting their current needs, rather than making a leap of faith by choosing illustrators whose work they like but don?t have exactly what they are looking for.

In other words, if you?re a natural history artist with a portfolio full of pandas and they need a grizzly bear, a commissioner may keep on looking for an illustrator with a portfolio containing grizzly bears. Therefore, it?s vital to remind commissioners of the breadth of your work wherever and however practicable ? which is where showing your work online comes in. Remember illustration is now a truly global industry with every commissioner in the world having access to your work, so make the most of all your resources.

Folios and Websites

Whatever other online opportunities you choose to explore, a website and/or online portfolio is a must. There are many free and reasonably priced options to choose from, ranging from website templates to dedicated portfolio hosting we