How to get a list of clients? - by boybogart

boybogart

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How to get a list of clients?

Posted by boybogart - February 9th, 2011

So let's be real. Animation is hard work, and everyone I know in the industry is either overworked or looking for another pansy job to survive. As for myself, I've worked for an animation studio for 4 years. I must say, working in a studio feels like being a slave. There are times when I leave the office in 1 am and show up at 8 am the next day just to finish that friggin scene that you've been doing in almost a week. I've been missing out on meals and even my free time is smothered with the thought of a sequence you must finish in 2 days. I took a week off December last year and came up with a conclusion that this are not the circumstances I want to live with when working in the industry.

So I took the jump and went freelance at the start of 2011.

Now some of you may disagree with my move but I always find freelance work refreshing. I mean in the studio, when you work on a show, you draw and animate in a certain style 24/7 whereas in freelancing, your style can change with every client. That is a thought I find exciting. My problem now is expanding my client base. My only method of job searching is sifting through forums and other animation sites. It's been good for now, I'm getting clients here and there but the thought of my client list dwindling is something I know that I will deal with in the future.

So how do you, awesome freelancer and newgrounds front page post reader, go about in making a list of prospective clients?

Yeah, for some of us it's a trade secret and I understand. But if you believe in helping a brother out, I thank you in advance.

Here's a link to my demoreel if you're interested.

I salute you!

How to get a list of clients?

Comments

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imjeffhip 2011-02-09 21:26:42

The only ways I know of are agents or crowd sourced projects like wooshii, crowd spring and mycro burst. Other ways is to send your connections to exisiting companies and get your name into their database in case when they need work they could call you.

But other then that I dunno yet, I'm still new.

boybogart 2011-02-09 21:26:42

I've tried wooshii once and I kinda disagree on the notion that you have to create some kind of work to apply for a job that you are not sure that you're getting. Crowd spring and mycro burst is news to me so I will check it out later.

Your last idea, however, just might work. That's a thought I always had in the back of my head but until you stated it here, I never had thought of doing it.

Anyway, thanks for the opinion man!

Thundaboom 2011-02-09 22:02:33

I think you're just dumping your life money out, soon. At least with that animation slave work you'll get money. But here with freelancing, man, that's going to be a bit hard online...

boybogart 2011-02-09 22:02:33

I'm actually not entertaining the thought of losing money since it's my personal belief that there is an abundance of animation projects out there, decent animators are the ones who are pretty scarce. I'm not a great animator by any means but I'm pretty sure I can do better than some of the toons you see on television these days. And so far, I have my savings intact which is pretty awesome.

Bottom line is I'm not going back to being a slave for some company who churns lifeless animation day in and day out. If you could only see the old guys working there, it's a pretty sad sight.

Thundaboom 2011-02-09 22:03:06

Your demo reel is great though :)

lukashafstrom 2011-02-10 00:02:23

demo reel was phenomenal! you did animation for johnny test??? fucking sweet, sorry don't have any suggestions concerning your client search

boybogart 2011-02-10 00:02:23

Yeah my previous studio had a one-season deal in JT. It was a fun show to animate and pretty easy too.

SupaMarioFan 2011-02-10 01:32:46

I like Chad.

boybogart 2011-02-10 01:32:46

I know you do.

BigRed 2011-02-10 01:35:20

Get out and meet people in the real world! Think about why people would hire an animator and set yourself up to meet as many relevant people as possible. Attend conferences, speeches, set up meetings with groups and businesses you think would find your animations useful.

This process is building yourself as a brand and marketing yourself. What kind of projects do you take on and how to you build a reputation within that realm, etc.

If you want to go on your own (which I think is a great thing) socializing and networking have to become priorities in your life.

boybogart 2011-02-10 01:35:20

Awesome advice Red. I'm just starting out and these tips will be very helpful.

JazLyte 2011-02-10 10:08:25

God, your work is sick. I've never heard of you why?

boybogart 2011-02-10 10:08:25

Well it's been only a year since I joined NG and I haven't made anything big yet. It's kinda my dream to make a fantasy epic series for this site but I still need to stabilize my income to do that, hence this post.

On a different note, I love your art, specially the way you draw arms and fingers. Reminds me of Afro samurai.

eddsworld 2011-02-10 14:07:29

FFFF That is an awesome showreel you have there! I've only had a few freelancing jobs - usually those who approach me, but i have a couple of contacts who are usually always after animators, but i guess it's all about price! If you're interested i could PM them to ya.

boybogart 2011-02-10 14:07:29

Sounds great, and I promise if they have an opening, you'd get your shot first, since they're your contacts.

I approve your series and overall awesomeness. Thanks man!

Vert 2011-02-10 15:03:35

Good luck! You'll need it.

<Wiggles eyebrows>

Seriously, though, nice demo reel!

boybogart 2011-02-10 15:03:35

Haha I'm not superstitious.

Because it's bad luck.

PM-Seymour 2011-02-23 10:57:09

Sir your talents with animation know no bounds, and love the style, and I suppose the same scenarios can apply for voice-over artists most of the time.