Seventeen Years Representing Illustrators and Counting!
February is one of my favorite months of the year. I have so many wonderful things to celebrate in February. My first daughters birthday, Valentines Day, our annual Work for FREE promotion and the month in which Anna Goodson Illustration Agency was founded.
Seventeen years ago this month, I decided to start an illustration agency. What was I thinking? I had no idea what lied ahead. I was young, ambitious and very passionate. I was also a bit naive, which in hind site was probably a good thing.
I never really realized just how hard it would be. In the beginning, no one knew who I was and when you are a complete unknown, its hard to get people to believe and trust in you.
So if you can imagine, I had a hell of a time, trying to get illustrators to represent. It seemed like every time I approached someone they turned me down for one reason or another. I spent months trying to find illustrators that would take me on.
Finally, after several months, I managed to put together a team of about 6.
I could never promise that I would get them work but I did promise them that I would work my but off. This still stands true today.
Mid way through 1996, someone came to me and told me that I needed to get a website for the agency. I had no idea what they were talking about but I had a vision and believe that having a website was a great thing to have.
Back then, almost non of our clients even had access to the internet, let alone an email address. I still felt it was a good thing to have, even if I wasn’t completely sure why.
My office was in a second bedroom in an apartment that I shared with a room-mate. There was no air conditioning, so in the summer, I worked in my underwear and bras. I made so many phone calls to clients, that I would get pimples down the side of face. I barely made any money and accumulated a big debt.
My parents who were concerned, would give me rolls of toilet paper and canned tomato soup when I would go and visit. My father always told me that if it didn’t work out, I could also go back and work in advertising.
Going back was not an option for me, neither was failing. My dream was to have one of the most respected international illustration agencies in the world and I was not going to settle for anything else.
For the next 5 years, all I did was work but my work was also my passion, my love and my hobby. I ate, slept and dreamed about the illustration industry.
Soon, all the hard work, dedication and passion would start to pay off.
Our agency grew and so did our international reputation. Clients and Illustrators alike, started to seek us out and our services. We were working regularly with some of the most prominent magazines, advertising agencies and newspapers in the USA and in Canada.
The debt I had accumulated was finally paid off and I no longer need to go to my parents house for food and toilet paper.
Sylvie Hamel joined the agency in 2001 and with her help, my dreams for the agency started to become a reality.
We have been so fortunate to represent and work with such talented illustrators over the years. Many of them have been with us since our humble beginnings.
As much as things have changed over the years, many of the important things have remained the same.
We love what we do and really care about the people that we represent. We also really care about the illustration industry and do our best to help promote the idea of commissioning original illustrations.
These past seventeen years have been amazing!
There is however nothing more gratifying than to know that because of our hard work, many, many illustrators have been able to make their dreams come true.
Thank you to everyone who has been with us, supported us, worked with us, hired us, laughed with us and cried with us, these past seventeen years.
Look out, we’re only just getting started!
President/Founder
The Illustrators of AGM are willing to work for FREE
For the fourth year in a row, the Illustrators of AGM want to help out any way they can and are offering to work for FREE. The exclusive offer is available to non-profit organizations and charities that wouldn’t normally have the budget to commission original illustrations from the Montreal-based agency. AGM Founder Anna Goodson said: “We’ve been very fortunate and wanted to give something back to the industry. There are so many organizations out there that don’t have the budgets to spend on original illustrations. That’s why we wanted to help and offer our services for FREE.” Founded in 1996, AGM is a boutique-style International agency that serves the global marketing needs of the visual arts community. Today, AGM’s illustrators work alongside some of the world’s leading advertising agencies, design firms, magazines, publishers and newspapers. Anna continued: “Our exclusive offer is only available to non-profit organizations and charities, until February 28th, 2013. If you’d like to find out more, please send us an email or just give us a call. http://www.agoodson.com info@agoodson.com
1. 514.482-0488
How to find an Illustrator Agent or Rep that’s right for you.
Research is the key to finding the perfect Agent or Rep that’s right for you.
There are many agencies out there and you need to find the right one for you.
The relationship between an Illustrator and an Agent is a special one and not everyone is suited for each other.
Do your research and source out the ones that you feel would be a good fit with you and your style.
For example, if you are a Children’s Book Illustrator, then look for an agency that specializes in Children’s Books.
Find out as much as you can about the agency before contacting them. I always like to hear that an illustrator knows about our firm and did their home work before contacting us.
I hate just being cc. on a long listed email that goes out to many Agents or Reps at the same time.
Make sure that when you do find an Agent or Rep that you are interested in, that you proceed to contact them in a very professional manner.
Don’t ever address your emails to Dear Sir/ Madame or To Whom it May Concern, get the name of the person you are trying to contact. Its not very hard and if you can’t find the person’s name, call up the agency and find out who you should be addressing your email to. When I get emails that are not properly addressed to me, I just trash them.
When you write your email, be clear and precise and tell that person why you want to be represented by them. Example, you feel that you fit in with the style, you have heard great things about the agency etc.
Don’t be too familiar either. Best to stay very professional. I get emails some times that start with, ” Hi There, Hey Anna… and some times end with hugs and kisses or your friend ….
We are not friends and being overly familiar is not the way to proceed in business.
Keep your email short and too the point and include a link to your site. If you don’t have a website ( personally I think that all professional illustrators who are NOT represented should have their own site) send a few low rez jpegs.
Don’t send high rez and don’t send compressed files with loads of images. Keep it simple.
We don’t have time to read a long story about how when you were a child you always wanted to be an illustrator and your dropped out of school to persue your dream. Sorry to be blunt but we don’t really care about that. We want to see that you have a passion for your work and that you are professional at what you do. So be clear, short and procise but the intention of your email.
Be honest and be yourself.
Since we Agents are some times bombarded with emails from illustrators wanting to be represented, it can be very difficult and time consuming to reply to all representation requests.
Please d’ont take this personally. I use to try to reply to all the emails I received but it just got too difficult with the amount I receive.
If the Agent or Rep is interested in your work, you can be sure that they will get in touch with you. It may not be right away but they will or at least I do.
If we don’t then follow up in a few weeks with another email, it shows you are on top of things.
When I am interested in someone, I get back to them and send them a copy of our contract to have a look at.
Its important to get the agreement down in writing so that both parties involved agree on the conditions of the contract.
Contracts should cover the territory, the commission and the duration of the representation agreement.
If you are asked to sign a contract, make sure you understand what you are signing. If you are not sure, then don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Commissions are pretty standard in our industry at 30%.
If you get lucky and find an Agent or Rep that is willing to take you on then remember that you are entering into a relationship that goes both ways.
Both parties are expected to invest their time, finances and energy into the relationship to make it work.
Its not because you have an Agent or Rep that you just sit back and wait for work to come in.
You need to be pro active, involved and work even when commissions don’t come in.
I love when my illustrators come to me with ideas and show me work they have been working on when times are quite.
We work in this wonderful industry of illustration and if you know how to get yourself a great Agent or Rep, then I can assure you it could really give your carrer a boost for the better.
Good luck!
AGM’s Pumpkin Carving Contest 2012!
HALLOWEEN IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!
Come and join in the fun and take part in our AGM Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest.
Be as wild and creative as you’d like! If you can’t get a hold of a pumpkin, feel free to use any vegetable or fruit – the important thing is that you carve it yourself.
To submit a pumpkin, please click HERE, where you can register and post a photo of your pumpkin to the site.
You can also vote for your favorites and comment on the pumpkins!
Voting ends at 12pm on November 1st, 2012 and we will showcase the top three entries on the AGM website during the first week of November.
Pumpkin Contest website: agoodson.com/pumpkin
Follow us on Twitter @AGMpumpkin
Win a 15 minute Skype Portfolio Review with me, Anna Goodson.
How would you like to spend 15 minutes on Skype with me?
I have worked in the creative field for over 25 years and I am very passionate about our illustration industry.
I get so many emails and tweets from illustrators from all over the world looking for advise and feedback. As much as I would like to personally speak to each and every one of them, time does just not permit it.
Now is your chance to win one 15 minute Skype Portfolio Review with me, each Friday.
We can talk about your work, your portfolio or any questions you might have about the illustration industry.
Each Monday morning, I will post a question on Twitter @annagoodsonmgmt and info on Facebook.
Then, early Friday morning, I will choose the winner by reviewing the weeks best answers to the question.
I am looking for real input, creativity and passion in your answers.
To enter, just answer our “Question of the Week” on Twitter by tweeting it to @annagoodsonmgmt and including #FeedbackFriday in your tweet.
For more info, Just follow us on twitter @annagoodsonmgmt , #FeedbackFriday and LIKE us on Facebook
I look forward to your tweets!
Thanks
Anna Goodson
President
anna@agoodson.com
Here is My Top Ten on “How To Become a Productive Working Illustrator in Today’s Industry.”
1. Find yourself a great Rep or Agent to represent you. There are so many advantages in having someone who is well-connected and hard-working out there trying to drum up business and take care of promoting and marketing you. That way you can concentrate on your work. If you are lucky enough to get a great Rep or Agent with a good reputation, then you wont have to worry about the rest of this list. If you are going solo or have not had the opportunity to sign on with someone yet, then here are few of my recommendations. Make sure that when you do contact a rep that you never contact a Rep or Agent by addressing your email, “ Dear Sir/Madame” or “To whom it may concern”. You should take the time to address your email to the person whom you want to represent you. Never send out mass emails and especially never cc several Reps or Agents at a time. Do your homework and research before contacting anyone. Make sure that you contact the right person for you.
2.Perfect your style. Work on having a distinct style that you have mastered over time. If you work in several styles, choose one and focus on it. Your work should be recognizable. Your style should belong to you. If you can achieve that, then that’s a huge advantage. Think of the illustrators that you love; you can always recognize their work right away when you see it. Never try to copy a style that you think is successful, create your own, be original.
3. Think globally and not locally. This is one of the great advantages of being an illustrator. You can live anywhere and work with clients everywhere.
4. Create a personal website. It doesn’t need to be complex or complicated. Think of it as your online portfolio to showcase your work. Keep it simple, clean and easy to navigate.
5. Sign on to some of the great websites that promote illustration.http://www.hireanillustrator.com, is a great one to get started. There are several out there and always do your research before signing on.
6. Keep busy working on your style even when you have no commissions in hand.
7. Get out of your studio or workspace to go for walks or a run or to take some fresh air. It’s important to get away from your work and take some time to “smell the flowers”. You will feel much better and be in a better mood when you get back.
8. Participate in International contests. This is a great way to get your name known and bring you some recognition if you are selected. Look for contests that are reputable and not the ones that are just out there to take your money.
9. Always be sure to get everything in writing. Make sure that you send your clients a written quote before starting a job and make sure they sign it or at least reply to an email that they agree with your conditions. If everything is in writing , there will be no surprises.
10. Believe in yourself. Enjoy what you are doing. Never give up and stay passionate about your work. Love what you do and success will come. Nothing is more important than being happy in your career.
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