I can’t believe we’re at the end of another year! 2022 was a busy one, filled with exciting projects and many lessons learned.
Client Work
My clients gave me really incredible opportunities this year. I created special gifts to celebrate births, birthdays and big life events. I was able to honor businesses and organizations with illustrations of their products and physical storefront locations. I got to work on things I’ve never done before, like artwork for an NIL deal between a local plumbing company and a UNC basketball player, and a custom painted bottle of Veuve Cliquot.
I also did plenty of normal ol’ design work - flyers, brochures, etc. - that hopefully kept businesses running smoothly and gave my clients one less thing to worry about. If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that these kinds of projects, while not the most Instagrammable, are crucial to success as a creative studio.
I’m really proud to have hit my goal of making $10K gross (double my 2021 freelance income of $5K) this year, and to have gotten more inquiries from the food/beverage and hospitality industries than I did last year.
Personal Work
I had time to work on a few personal projects this year as well. My favorite was the doughnut cowgirl. I created her as part of a keychain illustration for my change of address postcards, and I’ve continued using her on social media to promote and talk about my business.
She’ll probably stick around for 2023!
3 Lessons I Learned This Year
Don’t panic-buy large quantities just because you think you might need them.
I did this with a couple of printed items this year and I ended up throwing away/recycling a majority of them later in the year to reduce the clutter in my office space. Buy small quantities, test out concepts, and then get more. And when in doubt on whether you need a printed item or not, consider skipping and waiting until you know for sure that they’ll be worth the money. When it comes to contact information, all people really need is your Instagram handle or website URL - so don’t stress too much about having physical business cards (like I did).
Set up a scheduling page!
I recently realized I was wasting a TON of time going back and forth (both with freelance clients and in my day job) via email to schedule meeting times. I present a few times, then they come back with a few different times, and then I confirm one of their times, and then we reschedule, and on and on.
I now put my schedule into a free page on DotCal, and when people ask to meet, I have them find a time on my calendar. My information is pre-loaded and I control which times are off-limits.
Trust in abundance
This freelance stuff is a rollercoaster! In September/October, I had some clients who ghosted and project quotes that were turned down.
I was feeling bummed and was starting to wonder if I should consider something other than full-time freelance as my ultimate career goal. Two weeks later, I had a couple of really exciting client inquiries in my inbox without me doing anything to seek them out.
It reminded me again that there is abundance, and the right opportunities will come my way at the right time.
Looking ahead
My goals aren’t fully formed for the new year, but 2023 is going to be the year of treating myself like a business owner.
This looks like:
establishing service lines, processes, pricing and various forms to help make client relations smoother
redesigning my site from a design portfolio to a business website
posting regularly on at least one channel besides Instagram and starting an email list
Also, I signed on with CK Creations as an assistant illustrator and designer for the coming year! I’m pumped to get to work alongside Christin on creative projects in and around the Triangle, and be mentored by someone several steps down the career road from me.
Want to work together in the new year?
I’m now booking projects for 2023! If you’re interested in working together on your next illustration or design project, fill out this contact form, and I’ll be in touch!