Freelancing...

[st_sleek]

I want to get into freelancing as soon as possible, but I need a few pointers so, hopefully, I don't have to learn them the hard way.

How much should I be making for each drawing? (for concept drawings/comic pages/illustrations)

What sort of precautions should I take to make sure I don't get taken advantage of?

What sort of offers should I avoid, or look for?

...and any other useful information, please!

[Jin]

Here are a couple of good resources for the information you want:

Illustrators list at Yahoo! Groups (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/illustrators/messages)

Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines (9th Ed) (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0932102093/002-7392242-7986459?v=glance)

Some information in the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook may be a little outdated but it contains loads of good information, sample forms, etc. and you can ask the folks on the Illustrators list for updated pricing and other info to make sure you have most current rates and other details.

Good luck with your freelancing! :)

[Joeslucher]

the GAG handbook is very good and covers a lot of stuff. Talks about negotiating and agents which is new to some. THe thing about the handbook is the prices are usually new york and california types of prices if you know what I mean. The average pay for a certain job isn't going to be the same in Dakota and you should probably look at one a couple of years old for your prices if you don't live somewhere big. How much you get paid really varies though.