Reddit reviews 2013 Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market

I like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Freelance-Illustrator-Graphic-Designer/dp/1581151993/ref=cm_lmf_img_2

annnnnd

http://www.amazon.com/2013-Artists-Graphic-Designers-Market/dp/159963614X/ref=pd_sim_b_6

That series (they put out a new one every year) is pretty valuable.

Illustrator here - Decide if you REALLY REALLY REALLY want to freelance as an artist, because the honest truth is that you might never be able to freelance professionally full time, even if you are INSANELY talented, because convincing people to buy squiggles you make is very difficult to do.

Anyway, everything you need to know to starts with this question:

Who are you selling your work to?

From there, everything comes into place. Selling illustrations to businesses is a DIFFERENT business model than selling to consumers. Selling your illustrations to children book companies is DIFFERENT than selling to Tech companies. Selling your illustrations to old cat ladies requires A TOTALLY DIFFERENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM from selling your illustrations to metalheads.

"But I want EVERYONE to buy my illustrations!"

HAHAHAHA! Forget illustration, you should be a stand-up comedian, kid!

Read these:

Inside the Business of Illustration, by Marshall Arisman and Steven Heller

Breaking into Freelance Illustration, by Holly Dewolf

2013 Artist's & Graphic Designers Market

Start with http://www.amazon.com/2013-Artists-Graphic-Designers-Market/dp/159963614X.

Then, go to the Internet. Look up who publishes books whose design you like, or what agency makes ads you like. Find out where they are. Send them your portfolio (or website) with a very nice, polite introduction and query letter. (Often times it's better to ask "for advice" rather than work, because it starts the relationship out on the right foot.) See if any of these places are nearby, and go to any open houses they host. If you're a student, see if you can arrange an internship. While interning, be a friendly face and attend any networking events you can. Go to websites like Meetup and look for events for publishers or advertisers. Take classes taught by professionals. Always carry a business card and maintain an up-to-date website/portfolio. Be cool, be good at what you do, price your services fairly, and be a pleasure to work with.