Hey all,
I read Seth Godin's blog pretty much every day- (he's probably today most important voice on modern marketing, and the new information based economy) - and I read this a few days ago, and have been mulling it over. I thought I'd share.
If you'd rather be a chooser, enter a market or a transaction where you have something to trade, something of value, something to offer that's difficult to get everywhere else.
If all you have is the desire to get picked, that's not sufficient."
If you haven't noticed, the world is changing. And it's changing fast.
As illustrator's and artists the professional landscape has changed considerably what with the slow inevitable death of the publishing industry, and the web now making the pool of available talent global sized.
I have an in-house illustration position at a major network, but with the stubborn low economy, and the constant shifting sands of the business world that could all change tomorrow.
I have nosed about to see what opportunities are out there, and I must say- things have changed dramatically. The in-house gigs are very few, and very far in-between.
But as illustrators our skills will always be needed. But how we market those skills has changed.
As Godin says above, waiting to be "picked" is not enough. You must develop those skills, find your market, and offer what no one else is offering.
I would encourage you to read Seth's work. (Check out the book "Purple Cow".) He has a lot of really great thoughts to share.
And as I say, it's better to be aware and facing the storm, than to ignore it and try to find shelter once it hits.
Again, just thought I'd share.
Peace.
Seth's blog: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/
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