FAQ #2: When to say HELL NO

The convoluted decision making process of a freelance artist

Hi VIPs!

I got a slew of great questions from a reader named Katie that I’m going to slowly but surely answer over the coming months in my very famous FAQ series. One of Katie’s questions was as follows: “what are your artistic criteria for taking on commissions?”

I know that some of my readers generally really like hearing about the business side of things, and I’m trying to get a good mix of business-y stuff alongside BTS and inspiration posts. That said, please always feel free to give me suggestions either in the comments, our VIP subscriber thread, or by replying to an email. This is for you guys and I want you to get what ya need!

That said–let’s talk about choosing which projects to take on, and which to politely decline. A note before I get started: I have taken on plenty of work before that didn’t necessarily meet all of my standards–I have to eat! And sometimes I do uninspiring jobs for the money and just don’t post them. It’s very, very lucky to be able to pick and choose the things that I work on, and I try to stick to my morals at the very least, even when I’m financially strained, and know that even though it’s hard to turn down cash, it’s the right decision. 

Sometimes when a job comes through, I know it’s an immediate yes. These are the criteria…

Me confirming a job from a client with fair rates, clear deliverables, and awesome creative.