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Ask a Pro
Ask a Pro is a collection of illustration related questions answered by top art directors, designers, editors, artist representatives and other professionals in the commercial illustration industry.
If you have a suggestion for a question or know someone who might be a good candidate to answer a couple questions
Contributors
How do you justify getting paid for what you do?
(more questions)
This is an easy question and I am happy to answer it for you.
First, let me just say that I don’t get “paid” for the work
I do. When I take on a new artist I basically work for free until work comes in.
I am not on salary but work 100% on commission on jobs that we handle.
I basically run a company that represents illustrators and photographers.
We handle all aspects of business development, marketing of the artists, promoting
the artists, do public relations, accounts payable and receivables among many
other things that we do for Free. We also pay a percentage of our artist’s
participation in all contests that they choose to partake in. We offer expertise
in setting up our artist’s portfolios and work with them to best present
their work.
That said, I feel that our commission is well earned for the work that we do.
if we do nothing and no work comes in and we make no commission.
Having a reputable Agent can mean everything to some and nothing to others.
As I have said before, not everyone needs a rep and only artists that see the
full value can appreciate what we do and why we deserve to make a commission.
Anna Goodson (more answers by this person)
owner
ANNA GOODSON MANAGEMENT, INC.
http://www.agoodson.com
In your opinion which medium do you consider is the easiest and which is the toughest to work in and why?
(more questions)
This is a good question but a difficult one for me to answer since I am not an illustrator and do not work in any one medium. From my perspective, as long as we can email it to the client that is what is important to me. From what I have heard, watercolor is a fairly tough medium to work in. if you make a mistake on your final, you have to start the piece all over again. Digital illustration seems like it would be the easiest to work in and make corrections on.
Anna Goodson (more answers by this person)
owner
ANNA GOODSON MANAGEMENT, INC.
http://www.agoodson.com
Why should an illustrator take on a rep or agent rather than represent him/herself?
(more questions)
Not all illustrators should be represented, only the ones that really want to be. If an illustrator has the time to do all that a rep or agent does, then when do they find the time to illustrate? At AGM, there are 4 women working full time, about 160 hours a week. They handle all the business development, marketing, promoting, advertising, public relations, preparing of quotes, negotiating billing ect. All this for a 25% commission of the business that they bring in. If any illustrator doesn't see the advantage in having a great rep, then they shouldn't have one.
Anna Goodson (more answers by this person)
owner
ANNA GOODSON MANAGEMENT, INC.
http://www.agoodson.com
What is the most common problem you run into when working with illustrators?
(more questions)
Can't say there are any problems as such. The most disappointing thing that AGM has faced over the years is the lack of loyalty from young illustrators. . There have been far more wonderful moments and great achievements that AGM has shared with freelance illustrators. There is nothing more gratifying, then taking on a freelance illustrator that is unknown and launching his/her career.
Anna Goodson (more answers by this person)
owner
ANNA GOODSON MANAGEMENT, INC.
http://www.agoodson.com
What changes in the illustration industry have you seen in the last 10 - 15 years? What are some recent trends?
(more questions)
Lots of changes and not all of them good. AGM for one, is really against stock and royalty free images. In fact, AGM has an advertising campaign coming out this year in CA magazine, condemning just that. On the bright side, the internet has really changed the way we do business. Its fast and it makes it easy to represent illustrators from around the world.
Anna Goodson (more answers by this person)
owner
ANNA GOODSON MANAGEMENT, INC.
http://www.agoodson.com
If an illustrator has a limited budget to market themselves, what are the top 3 marketing tactics that have the best return on investment?
(more questions)
AGM strongly believes in direct marketing and sending out promos, cards and advertising. Anna is not too keen on Annuals and thinks that they are a thing of the past. The future is the internet and websites such as http://www.illustrationmundo.com who are hot and frequently updated. If Anna believes strongly enough in someone, she will usually lay out the money to help him/her get started which she has done many times in the past. Anna also strongly believes in having her illustrators participate in contest and contributes 25% of the costs.
Anna Goodson (more answers by this person)
owner
ANNA GOODSON MANAGEMENT, INC.
http://www.agoodson.com
You receive over 4000 submissions a year from artists wanting to be represented. What are some of the most important work and personality characteristics you look for in a new artist to represent?
(more questions)
Yes we do receive quite a few inquiries from all over the world and feel honored that illustrators have such a strong interest in AGM. It makes us very proud to be so respected and sought after. The most important thing that Anna looks for when taking on a new illustrator is of course style, but the personality of the artist is very important to her as well. She looks for people who are passionate about their work, honest and friendly. Professionalism is a must as well.
Anna Goodson (more answers by this person)
owner
ANNA GOODSON MANAGEMENT, INC.
http://www.agoodson.com
Lots of illustrators seek an artist representative in hopes of finding more illustration work . . . but an artist representative does much more than that . . . can you please define your role more specifically?
(more questions)
At AGM we work closely with our artists and manage all aspects of their careers. This is why we call ourselves " Anna Goodson Management " and don't just refer to ourselves as Reps. We work together with our artist and discuss their style, direction and portfolio. We handle all aspects of the business development, marketing, promoting, and public relations, leaving our illustrators to concentrate on illustrating.
Anna Goodson (more answers by this person)
owner
ANNA GOODSON MANAGEMENT, INC.
http://www.agoodson.com