How to Find Clients as a creative
A guide for illustrators, designers & photographers
Finding the right clients as a creative can feel like a mystery, but it doesn’t have to!
Whether you’re an illustrator, designer, photographer or artist, building a sustainable career means connecting with people who value your work. Here’s where to start:
Your website & portfolio
Your website is your creative home base. It should be well designed, easy to navigate, and showcase your best work.
Keep it simple and clear, highlight your strongest projects and make it clear what services you offer.
Update it regularly with new work so potential clients can see what you’re up to.
Make it easy to contact you. Have a clear email address or contact form so that clients can easily get in touch with you. Make sure clients know where you are based.
If you don’t already have a website, platforms like Adobe Portfolio, Squarespace or Cargo make it easy to set one up.
Social media
Social media can be a powerful tool, but only if you use it strategically.
Focus on platforms where your ideal clients are:
Instagram: Great for sharing behind-the-scenes work, progress shots as well as finished pieces. Use relevant keywords in your caption and geotags to increase discoverability. Just be yourself and share away!
LinkedIn: Many art directors, publishers and brands look here for talent. Share your work, insights into your process, and thoughts on the industry to build credibility.
Pinterest: Especially useful for illustrators and designers, as art directors often browse for inspiration.
there is lots of different platforms to share your work for example Behance, Dribbble, Cosmos, Are.na and many many more!
The key is consistency. Show up, engage with others, and share work that represents what you want to be hired for.
Reach out directly (yes, it works!)
If you have a dream client in mind, don’t wait for them to find you — reach out! Many creatives underestimate the power of a simple, well-written email.
Research the company: Find the right person to contact (Art Director, Creative Director, or Marketing Manager).
Personalize your email! This goes without saying because no one wants to receive an email that sounds like it is written for another 2000 people!
Keep it short, introduce yourself and show your enthusiasm for their work. Include a link to your portfolio.
Make it easy for them to see what you do and who you have worked for already as well as show them your recent commissions and passion projects!
Follow up! If you don’t hear back, a gentle follow-up after a few weeks can keep you on their radar.
Networking & industry events
Connecting with people in real life can create lasting relationships that lead to work.
Attend industry events, art fairs, and workshops. These are great places to meet potential clients and collaborators. Join creative organizations, groups like the AOI (for illustrators), AIGA (for designers), and photography collectives offer networking and work opportunities.
Talk to people about what you do. You never know who might need your skills, or who might introduce you to the right person.
Your best clients are often people you’ve worked with before
Keep in touch, sending past clients updates on new work and reminding them that you’re available for projects.
Ask for referrals!
If they’re happy with your work, they may recommend you to others. Stay in their inbox.
A simple newsletter with recent work or industry insights will keep you on their radar without being pushy.
Competitions & publications
Submitting your work to design or illustration competitions can be a great way to get noticed. Publications and online platforms that showcase creative work can also put you in front of potential clients.
Creative Boom, It's Nice That, Communication Arts, Creative Review and Print Magazine often feature fresh creative talent.
Competitions such as the World Illustration Awards or American Illustration can increase your visibility in the industry.
Sometimes great client work comes from personal projects or collaborations.
When you create something unique, it often gets shared and attracts the right people.
Start a passion project. This could be a self-initiated series, a zine or an experimental design piece. Collaborate with other creatives! Photographers and illustrators, for example, you can team up to create something new and unexpected.
Final thoughts: show up, be consistent, and stay open!
Finding clients means putting yourself out there in a variety of ways. There’s no one method that works for everyone, but a combination of visibility, networking and direct outreach will help you land the right projects.
Stay patient, be proactive, and remember — your next client could come from anywhere!
Feel free to reach out if you have something more complex to talk about such as Client outreach, Portfolio & Website Crit or whatever you need help with. We are always available to help with our Business Help Hotline!