Becoming the go-to freelancer in your niche - Jessi Illustrates

What's in this episode

Jessica Hartshorn was trained as an illustrator, but unable to get work as one she went in another direction. Jessica spent the next 16 years working in museums and galleries. But the itch to illustrate never went away. So she set up a secret Instagram account and started painting again without telling a soul. Seven years on, she's a successful illustrator, freelancing with museums, galleries, heritage sites and parks across the UK. And her 16 years behind the scenes at the museum? Turned out to be her biggest selling point. Hear Jessica, AKA Jessi Illustrates, chat with Steve Folland in the episode of the Being Freelance podcast which covers: Going from a secret Instagram to an being known as the go-to specialist How 16 years working inside museums became her unique selling point as a freelance illustrator COVID as an unexpected turning point: when museums couldn't open Why she goes to museum conferences and networking events (and is often the only illustrator in the room) Using a printed pricing list not just to give costs, but to give inspiration as to what she could be hired for Investing £500 a year in her business - and what that's bought over the years, from a videographer t