[Angie]

Want to make a living off of art? Despite what your parents, friends, etc. may have told you, you can indeed make a living drawing! Nowadays it's becoming increasingly rare that you can get any sort of full time work as an artist. Even animation, gaming, graphic design, comic, etc. companies primarily use freelancers.

I have only recently started to make a living on comics, so I'm no expert. I'll definitely give some tips, but this is mostly going to be a list of links pointing you to information that should be helpful. Feel free to share any links you find that are helpful, and I'll add them to their designated area!

Table of Contents

Getting Freelance Gigs
Scheduling/Work Flow
Taxes, Insurance, and Other Adult Responsibilities
Other
Confirmations and Invoices

[Angie]

Getting Freelance Gigs/Setting Rates

The hardest part is getting started! Probably the easiest way to get your foot in the door is to know someone that knows someone that can get you a job. That's a given in pretty much any field.

General Tips

-If you're looking to do comics and don't already have a friend in the business, don't bother with submissions. The reality of it is that only like one person gets hired through submissions a year. (not actual statistics, but it is pretty rare) You need to drag yourself to some of the bigger cons like NYCC, Emerald City, SDCC, Wondercon, C2E2, ec. so you can actually get in contact with editors.

If an editor gives you a business card, you're game to contact them. But don't be a creepy stalker and randomly email editors you've never met, they're probably going to ignore you. (it is however acceptable to talk to professionals through their DAs or tumblrs. Most probably won't reply back, but it's less creepy than tracking down their email or phone number)

-Beware of jobs on DA, craigslist, etc. While I got my start getting jobs through DA, there's a lot of scammers on there, so tread lightly. Ignore the dude that has an anime script for this sweet anime he wants you to make for him.

-Never take any job that will get you less than minimum wage. If you think it's acceptable to take on a job that will grossly underpay you, just go put in an application at McDonald's instead. Underpaying artists is a serious problem that is constantly getting worst. By taking on a low paying job, you are sending a message that it is acceptable to be paid very little.

Think about how long something will take you. If someone is paying you $10 a page for a comic and it takes you anymore than 30 minutes to draw/ink/color/whatever, you are now making below minimum wage. This is the best way to figure out how much you should charge.



Links
http://lifehacker.com/5994064/the-complete-guide-to-setting-and-negotiating-freelance-rates
http://www.amazon.com/Graphic-Artists-Handbook-Pricing-Guidelines/dp/0932102158
http://24ways.org/2008/contract-killer/

[Angie]

Scheduling/Work Flow

If you're already used to setting your own schedule and have a good work flow, this section isn't for you! I would hope that your time on Void and/or art college have prepared you for mastering the art of time management, but I know a lot of people still struggle with this.

General Tips

-Set work hours or goals for yourself and stick to them! Being a freelancer doesn't mean you get to just work when you feel like it, that doesn't work. If you can't discipline yourself to keep a set schedule, you're going to have a hard time making a living off freelancing.

I personally have the same starting time every day but I have no specific end time. My schedule is goal based. For instance, I get up at 11 am every day like a lazy bum, and I start work every day at noon. My goal is 4 pages a day, every day. Sometimes I wrap up anywhere from 5-8, sometimes I get a batch of easy pages and essentially clock out at 3 or 4. 4 a day means I can easily wrap up an issue in a week with no problems.

Yes, in my case I could keep working on more pages on days I wrap up early, but I try not to go past 4 pages a day because it starts to wear on my hand and wrist. The only time I go past that, is when I get pages really late from the artist so I get stuck with 8-12 pages to do in a day. (thankfully that's rare)

-Take breaks! This is extremely important. You want to make sure that you take a break after about every 2 hours. Unless you have a really long day ahead and have to stop for a meal, you want to try to keep your breaks to 10 minutes maximum. Make sure to get up and walk around, do stretches, use the bathroom, whatever. You don't want to literally sit in one place for 8 hours. (you can seriously get a blood clot in your leg and die)

Links

http://freelanceswitch.com/freelancing-essentials/4-steps-to-creating-a-freelance-schedule/

[Angie]

Taxes, Insurance, and Other Adult Responsibilities

Easily the worst part of freelancing is suddenly you have to take care of all these crazy adult responsibilities you don't have to worry about when you're working a normal job! Gone are the days of taxes automatically being taken out and a company providing discounted insurance for you. But worry not, for there are plenty of resources available that will help guide you!

General Tips

-Anything used for your job can be written off on your taxes. So if you buy art supplies, a new Cintiq, a computer specifically to work on, hold onto those receipts! If you have a room that is specifically designated as your office, you can write it off. (you can't if your like me and your work computer is in your bedroom, it has to be only an office) Even for things as small as paper or pencils, hold onto those receipts!

This includes if you travel to cons specifically for business. Hold onto your receipts for plane tickets, meals, hotel expenses, etc. Obviously if you're going to the con just for fun, it doesn't count. There are tons of more things you can legally write off, so get an accountant to help you!

-It varies from state to state, but it's a good idea to hold onto 30% of your income for taxes.

-if you had insurance through an employer, don't get COBRA. It's way overpriced. You can still get affordable insurance through actual insurance providers like AETNA or BCBS (I have BCBS). The cheapest options won't begin to compare to insurance you get through an employer, but it's something.

Tax Links
https://www.freelancersunion.org/resources/taxes.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Pay-Taxes-on-Freelance-Work


Insurance Links-keep in mind, things are changing in the US with Obamacare, these things might not be up to date.



https://www.freelancersunion.org/benefits/index.html

[Angie]

Other

Business Cards/Prints/Banners for Cons

http://www.vistaprint.com/
http://gotprint.net/

General Advice

http://freelancefolder.com/what-to-expect-when-you-become-a-freelancer/
http://freelancefolder.com/what-should-a-freelancers-clients-expect/

NDAs(aka you can't tell people what you're working on)
http://www.quora.com/Non-Disclosure-Agreements/Is-there-a-practical-guide-for-what-one-should-look-for-when-signing-someone-elses-NDA

[seevah]

Finish work Nomatter What: Ive been told get work done regardless of the pay or impossible deadline because its a good way to get future jobs.  I had a profs that won Caldecott Medals tell me that he had to miss his aunts funeral (the woman that raised him) to meet a deadlines for a book because the world doesn't rearrange it self for you.  Also NY times has a 2 day turnaround for illustrations and if you don't finish that piece they're not going to stop the magazine because you need 1 more day to work on it, they'll just drop you throw in a photo and you'll never get a call back again same goes for MTG cards.


Dont burn bridges: Don't burn bridges with editors or anyone even if they work at crumb bun places, god knows where they'll end up.  I know alot of people talk shit about Tokyo Pop but those editors now work at Marvel and DC.

[Angie]

Yeah, definitely! If you're going into comics, comics are an extremely small community. If you get a reputation of pissing everyone off, you're going to have a hard time getting work unless you're like BBFs with an editor. Be nice, and get a good rep.

[Ransom!]

Is Vistaprint actually any good? I've always heard that their print quality is awful and steered clear of them.

Also you missed writing up a contract - this is super useful:
http://24ways.org/2008/contract-killer/
Don't think that it's only little guys who will try and stiff you. Big companies are pretty capable as well

[Angie]

I haven't used Vistaprint for anything small, but I got my 8 ft. banner done through them and it came out great.

[seevah]

I got my business cards printed from them and I think theyre awesome.

Then again my card is so basic.

Also i recommend this book for prices.

http://www.amazon.com/Graphic-Artists-Handbook-Pricing-Guidelines/dp/0932102158

Also need info on invoices and confirmation.

[Ransom!]

Hmm! I'll try them next time. I got a hundred business cards printed free from a place called the online printer, but that's New Zealand only.

[(Pi)]

great resources and tips! everyone should read this!

[seevah]

Confirmations and Invoices[/b]

I had a whole class on this for illustrations.

Confirmations:
Contract used by an artist when no purchase order has been given or when the purchase order is incomplete with respect to important terms of the contract, such as amount of fee, rights transferred, and so on. (page 349, Pricing & Ethical guidelines)

Sample:
http://i.imgur.com/hIOf96j.jpg

You should not start the project until you get your conformation back with the authorized signature because if you start and they don't agree upon the terms you may have just wasted time.

Tip:
Don't start "Client't job number" as 00001 or else it become too obvious that this is your first job and they may become hesitant on signing it or ask to lower your price, but also dont make up a random "askjeoag" in where you wont be able to organize any other job confirmations you have.

Invoice
Statement Given to a client showing he amount due in payment for an asignment.  Usually submitted after work has been completed.  If advance payments are made, the invoice should reflect these and show the balance due.(page 351, Pricing & Ethical guidelines)

Sample:
http://i.imgur.com/itIMO5f.jpg

This form tells that you fulfilled your end of the bargain and how much it cost you to do it which should be the amount they should pay you.  Expenses don't include things you already own but things you had to gain to use the project.

Ex.  If you already owned oil paints you can't charge for uses them, but you can charge if you had to buy them, because you would require you to make a copy of the receipt as proof.

Tip:
Best thing to do if you had done a traditional piece is to tape the on the back of your work as you mail it so they can see it along with an email.  As for traditional you should Email them a copy of your invoice as well as mail them a copy.

[Angie]

Added to the table of contents! I don't have any experience with that topic since all my work is through larger companies now.