How to get exposure for freelance work?

[Loathsome]

I never figured that stuff out. Do you simply make great art, put it on websites and then employers find you?

Cause I have to go to this thing to get some kind of income but they always keep asking me "what are you going to do to get a foot into the industry?"
And I don't know what to answer, and if I answer "I make good art and expose it and see if someone wants me" they would look at me weird and go like "then you aren't doing much". But I HAVE to go to this thing because if I don't, I won't get any pay.

Neither do I have a network of people that can refer me as a good artist to people. How do you even get networks with people like that??

Thanks for reading.

[Anghenfil]

I won't lie, it's a lot of work.  A LOT.  Building a sustainable network takes years.  I'm not in the designer/art community so unfortunately I can't give you firsthand information, but I can tell you how I'm networking in the animation industry.

1.  First, do good work.  Take classes, do projects for friends, and do it a lot.  Keep learning!

2.  Move to an industry hotbed.  For animation, this is Los Angeles, San Fransisco, Vancouver, London, New York, Singapore, and a few other places.  It was amazing to me the kinds of opportunities that arose when I did this - lots of animation-related events, festivals, meet-and-greets, and expositions.  You get to meet lots of professionals, shove a portfolio in their face, get their contact information, and get noticed.  Note that there are lots of people that don't obey this rule and are still successful (like Adam), but it sure helps if you're green in the industry.

3.  Bid for jobs.  Lots of them.  It's a bad economy and starting out is tougher than ever.  Just keep trying - ask friends if you can do their garage band CD cover for a pittance, or a new logo for your uncle's business.  If people know you they're much more likely to give you a chance.  Once you've developed a client, if you've done a good job they'll come back or recommend you to other people. 

4.  Stay in touch.  If you haven't heard from clients in a while, drop them a line and ask how they're doing.  It reminds them that you still exist, and they can get caught up with your current level of skill.

4.  Figure out what the major industry websites are.  People post short contracts or projects that you can apply for.  If you want to sell prints or designs of your work, places like Etsy or Redbubble might be good ways to get your feet wet.  (Does anyone here know the major sites for designers and artists?  I use creativehotlist.com)

5.  If jobs are really that bad, then consider going for more education/college.  It seems counter-intuitive to spend more money in a recession, but it may be a better investment than you realize.  It really is very difficult for new people to break into an artistic industry right now.

[SeeHaus]

I have gotten freelance jobs here and there and only made a few thousand dollars doing it. It's funny because I have been rather lazy about self promotion, although I have applied for a few jobs here and there, but ALL my freelance contacts came from places I didn't expect.

I did a series of  ads and install videos for a company that makes phone protectors and this contact came from a friend of my little brother's friend. So very unexpected. I am currently working on some animated ads for a risk management company and this came from discussing philosophy and religion online, becoming friends with one of the posters, linking my reel, and he decided to hire me on to his company as advertising director and sent me a 2009 Macbook free and clear just for helping + pay later for the work. I am doing a segment for the History Channel this week and that came from a guy in Israel who stumbled upon my work online. I have also done little short stints mostly from friends of friends. Building a network is HARD. Building a sustainable one is even harder, and in this economy, it's just awful.

Now you do live in Sweden, which I am assuming may have less competition due to the small population, but that also means less opportunities. I really agree with Anghenfil, she has put a lot of good ideas out there. I myself am thinking about moving to LA because it's relatively close to where I am and I think resumes are more likely to get tossed upon seeing that a person is not local. Good luck!

[Loathsome]

Thanks a lot both of you, you have been a great help. I really got a lot out of your post Ang.

If anyone is curious, this is my plan for my future:

- Right now, practice art as much as I can.
- Apply for art school in Gothenburg in Sweden, hopefully my art will be good at this time. This will take place next year in autumn.
- After school I'm thinking about moving, right now I've been thinking about London. (Do anyone know if there are better chances of work there?)

- Friends of mine have a band, my best friend is in it and he told me that they are interested to get some artwork done by me.
- Been thinking of advertising on places where bands play, who knows right?

1.  First, do good work.  Take classes, do projects for friends, and do it a lot.  Keep learning!

Should I pay for the projects I do for friends? Because none-profit work isn't too motivating to work on.