Creative (and Inexpensive) Tips for Marketing Your Talent As a Graphic Designer

You don't have to be a starving artist - follow these helpful business tips.

Many people can write their own content, even build a website - but they do not have the talent to create innovative, appealing images, motion graphics and other elements of design. So, how can you put your talents front and center of those who need them?

Here are a few cost-effective and creative tips that will help you promote your talent without leaving you a so-called "starving artist."

Brand yourself. Yes, that's right! Most people equate "brands" with large corporations, but the fact is every business regardless of how small or large should have a brand. Brainstorm a bit to determine what your business stands for, what your unique selling proposition is, and how you desire for potential clients to perceive you.

Network. Today, networking is easier than ever before, particularly online. Join industry-related forums; create a Facebook business page, join Twitter and/or LinkedIn, Google+ and other social media sites where you can engage with your target audience. If you'll get out there and get involved, you'll see that there are nearly limitless opportunities to put your talent in front of those who need it. A good mix of online marketing and face to face meetings are essential. Join your local Chamber of Commerce for starters.

Create a press release for distribution. Press releases help put you in the "news," and search engines (as well as people) love news. Optimize your press release for your keywords and geographical location if applicable. Submit your press release to highly trafficked PR sites like PRWeb and Business Wire.

Write articles for your own website, and submit to directories. Nothing establishes you as an authority in your industry like content - and lots of it! Write articles and put them on your own website (for SEO benefits), then submit them to article directories for further syndication.

You may have thought marketing your talents as a graphic design artist would cost a fortune (or at least more than you can afford). The fact is, you can promote yourself effectively as a graphic design professional for very little cost! Sure, there will be some areas where you will want to spend a little money (your portfolio being one of the most important aspects), business cards, but even on a shoestring budget you can enjoy substantial exposure. Be creative and think outside the box for promotional items.

For additional tips and resources to help graphic designers visit our Rosepapa Creative Blog at http://www.rosepapacreative.com/blog/

Learn How To Use A Pencil Sketch As A Creative Outlet

Pencil sketching offers an alternative to putting your thoughts onto paper when words are not enough to express what you are thinking. It's inexpensive and all you need is a pencil and a piece of paper. You can sketch anywhere at anytime and if you choose to do so, you can even sell your artwork.

Learning how to sketch is easy and it's an ideal creative outlet for people who are wanting to explore their creative side. One of the reasons that pencil sketching is an ideal creative outlet for new artists is because the pencil is such a forgiving medium. If you make a mistake, you can always erase it. This means that you can try many times and make many mistakes before you decide that you are satisfied with the end result.

Sketching is a fun-to-do art and it can be very satisfying when you see your finished sketches. Everyone who sketches does it for their own reasons such as for fun, as a hobby, relaxation or to even make a living. For whatever reason that you sketch, just remember to be patient and have fun because becoming a good artist doesn't happen overnight.

To become a good sketch artist you will need to first learn the basics then build upon that knowledge over time. You will also need a few instruments such as paper, pencil and an eraser to get started.

A typical HB pencil that you buy for everyday use is near the middle of the range of hard and soft leads. When you are only beginning to discover how to sketch, you won't need to buy too many or high quality pencils. A range such as 2H, H, F, HB, and 2B is enough to get you started with your pencil sketching.

The proper way to hold a pencil when sketching is loosely but firmly - don't grip it too tightly. Allow yourself the ability to control the pencil without choking it. This may take some practice, but doing a few practice drawings may help you get a feel for the right grip as your learn how to pencil sketch.

When you first start a sketch you should make your lines very light in case you have to erase a mistake. Many beginners (and sometimes even experienced artists) press down to hard on the pencil which of course makes a dark line. These dark lines are harder to erase and will leave an indention in the paper which can damage the paper.

It's also a good idea to visualize what your final drawing will look like before you get started. This is kind of like having a roadmap to your final destination which makes it much easier to follow than randomly driving around hoping you'll end up where you want to go. It can also help you to avoid the mistake of making your drawing to big and end up running out of space.

If you're having a hard time getting started always remember to use basic shapes such as circles, ovals, and even triangles as a foundation for your drawing. It also helps to not worry about the smaller details until you are almost finished. Focus on the bigger aspects then work your way to the smaller stuff.

These are just a few of the many basics to help you to learn how to use pencil sketch as a creative outlet. Again, always remember to be patient and have fun.

Paul Richards is a pencil sketch fan and also enjoys teaching others pencil sketch techniques. Learn more by visiting his website at http://www.pencilsketchtechniques.com/