I’ve had a few people approach me in recent weeks asking me to do work for them on one project or another. (A few of you have brought others to my attention, thank you. )
Sometimes they want me to work on a comic sequence. Others just a pin up, or spot illustration. But they all had one thing in common. They promise exposure.
One I saw promised “…recognition by many artists, publishers and fans.” Another assured me that “This can be an opportunity for you to get more exposure.”
These promises are enormous red flags that should alert you to run the other way.
Anyone who promises you exposure instead of money is trying to scam you. Not to mention they’re a bold face liar. They will give you no exposure at all. If you think about it for a second, it’ll become clear why: If they don’t have the money to create the book, then how do they have the money for marketing and advertising? You kinda need marketing and advertising acquire exposure.
Also do a quick search. Do you know who this person or company is? No? Does anyone? Who are they going to expose your art to if no one knows the company or its products?
Now imagine a company that COULD give you great exposure. Let’s say for this example: Disney. Doing a project for them would be fantastic exposure for you and your reputation. This doesn’t mean you do a project “for exposure” for Disney. Disney has the marketshare and advertising budget to allow for great exposure, and as a result they should also have the budget to pay you for your work.
ALSO why do you need exposure? They came to you. It sounds like you’re being exposed pretty well if people recognize your talent and seek out your work.
So never ever ever ever create art for the promise of exposure. A company that cannot pay you, cannot give you exposure. A company that can give you exposure has the money to pay you.
Stephen Silver ( Designer of Kim Possible and Danny Phantom) did a great video a couple years ago on the subject and you should watch it:
This year I drew 200pgs, 50+ covers, 100pg novel and more. Still get “job” offers with a payment of exposure.
— skottie young (@skottieyoung) November 12, 2013
Young artists, between twitter, Instagram, tumblr and more, there almost NO publisher that can offer enough “exposure” to do free work.
— skottie young (@skottieyoung) November 12, 2013
Now to be clear. This doesn’t mean you never do work for free. I’ve created artwork for charity, (as should you, if you can.) I’ve done free artwork for friends and their projects. I’ve also had friends do art for me and my comics as well. But it has never been done under the false pretense of “exposure.” We’ve all believed in a project and wanted to give art to help it succeed.
You might also do art for free if you partner with a creator. A writer might want you to do art for their comic project, but they have no money to pay you. You can partner. You both share the cost of creating the project, but also share the ownership and profit of the project. Sure you won’t get paid for your work immediately, but you’re also not doing it for “exposure.” You’re creating something, and if it succeeds you’ll reap the benefits. (I recommend drawing up a contract between partners to prevent anything shady from happening.)
So I hope this makes it clear to everyone. DO NOT WORK FOR EXPOSURE!
If you have any questions please hit me up. I’m here to help. Let’s stop being taken advantage of!
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