Real Abstract

Creative freelancers have a lot of competition for their hard-earned dollars: shiny new equipment, software, lessons and continuing education, trade shows, more shiny new equipment... Creatives also don't tend to have a lot of money, especially when starting out, so it's understandable that they want to save money wherever they can.

There are some things, however, that you DON'T want to save money on. Pull up your chairs and let Eric explain.

Eric M. Strong

https://www.ericmstrong.com

IG: @art4business

Eric chats with his old art school buddy Kevin Mellon, who is now working as art director for Marvel's Hit Monkey and storyboard artist for FX's long-running hit series Archer. As an art student, Kevin spent a LOT of time thinking about his own artistic style, what it means to have a style, and whether an artist should have one style or many styles in his or her tool belt. He drops a lot of fantastic knowledge bombs in this episode about style, voice, managing other artists, how to give constructive notes, and much more.

You can find more from Kevin here. Note he's not just an artist, he's also a musician as well!

Website: https://kevinmellon.rocks

Instagram: @kmellon

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmellon

Every creative has faced the dreaded "blocks" at times: writer's block, etc. Eric has a theory why these blocks pop up, and a strategy for reigniting stalled creativity. What you perceive as limitations may actually be the secret to your creativity.

Eric M. Strong

https://www.ericmstrong.com

IG: @art4business

Sales can be a scary word, especially for creative professionals. Nobody likes to be sold to, and no one wants to be seen as a pushy salesman! But like any business, sales is a crucial part of making your art into a career. Luckily, it doesn't have to be a torturous or sleazy task -- in fact, as Eric outlines in his rules, it starts with building friendship and trust, long before any money changes hands.

Eric M. Strong

https://www.ericmstrong.com

Eric chats with stand-up comedian turned comedy writer, Scott Dunn, about his work writing jokes for a variety of television and live awards shows. After a brief stand-up career, Scott the met up and coming Lisa Lampanelli, an insult comic, and struck up a friendship. He would occasionally send her jokes, and eventually they collaborated on her slot in the Chevy Chase roast for Comedy Central. Realizing he enjoyed seeing people laugh at his jokes whether he or another comic delivered the lines, Scott dedicated himself to comedy writing and working for a wide variety of shows.

Scott doesn't maintain a social media presence, but if you'd like to get in touch, you can email Eric below and get in touch through him:

Eric M. Strong

https://www.ericmstrong.com

Eric shares his strategies for finding new jobs when his pipeline starts running low. There are many ways to find new work as a creative freelancer -- referral business and word of mouth are powerful tools -- but sometimes your pipeline needs a boost. Eric discusses his favorite freelancing sites, his approach to bidding for jobs, and how to build your online presence to win the best jobs.

Eric M. Strong

https://www.ericmstrong.com

So... how is your New Year's resolution going? Have you gotten frustrated yet? It's common for people to set big goals at the beginning of the year, promising themselves they will make major changes or take on a large challenge. In other words, they imagine the best version of themselves, with the most discipline, the most willpower. As Eric argues in this episode, maybe the best thing you can do for yourself when approaching a new goal or resolution is to underestimate yourself and embrace the most realistic version of yourself instead.

Eric M Strong

https://www.ericmstrong.com

Eric discusses the key to getting work -- your marketing sales funnel. Do you need one? Of course! But maybe not... there's a few different ways to get new leads, and Eric breaks down your options as a freelancer.

Eric M Strong

https://www.ericmstrong.com

Eric is back with more tales from the dream world of freelance creatives. Just kidding -- it's not as dreamy as it looks... well, maybe, but it depends on who you are! As he explains, freelance work can be fantastic, fulfilling work where you set your own schedule, work the jobs that you want to work, and decide your own workflow. On the other hand, you are responsible for bringing in every dollar of work that you make, as well as accounting, quarterly taxes, marketing, etc. It's a lot of responsibility, with no oversight. For certain types of people, it's a dream; for others, a nightmare.

Eric also shares some of the hardest jobs, in his opinion, in the freelance creative industry, and his own journey graduating from art school to becoming a full-time artist.

Eric M Strong

https://www.ericmstrong.com

Profesional illustrator Eric M. Strong shares advice on when it's time to go pro, why the person you most need to convince about being a pro is yourself, the genius of Todd McFarlane, and the long, winding journey of a professional craftsman.

Todd McFarlane interview with the Kubert School:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEyZctFKQpU

Eric M Strong

https://www.ericmstrong.com