Starting Something New

Gabby Correia

Hi Everyone!

I am excited to tell you about a new venture I am about to embark on. I am quite nervous about it because I don't know if it's going to work out...

I have been a children's book illustrator for self-publishing authors for the past 4 years and I feel so grateful that I am fully booked for the next year in advance! I had to show away so many authors lately that I have decided to start a freelance directory specifically for Children's Book service providers. Editors, illustrators, graphic designers, type setters, coaches, animators, marketers, etc. The freelancers will be vetted before being able to set up their profile and no cut from the commissions made will be taken. I am hoping to launch the platform at the end of Jan, but I need active members for it to be successful, so I started a Launch Team. If you join you get to try it out completely free for a month with no obligations.

If you are interested in joining the launch team to list your services for free trial period of 30 days you can sign up with this link: https://mailchi.mp/caterpillarcollective/sign-up-to-email-list

If you have any questions or suggestions on how I can make this site awesome, please let me know. I want to help the children's book community by creating a platform where freelancers and authors can easily connect and make life-changing and professional looking children's books.

My aim is to have a site where freelancers are valued for their time and skill and authors aren't getting scammed by "illustrators" who use clip art and charge $50

I would appreciate any feedback or suggestions

https://mailchi.mp/caterpillarcollective/sign-up-to-email-list

Alexe53

Hi Gabby! First off, congratulations on being booked solidly for next year! That's such an achievement and I find it very inspirational to see fellow SVS members having such success.

As for your business idea, it sounds brilliant. I've always hated the freelance sites which are just filled to the brim with clip art illustrators. If you can find a way to connect genuine illustrators and authors together you'd be doing the community a huge service in my opinion.

Really really excited to hear more about this going forward! Sign me up

carlianne

@Gabby-Correia

Since you asked for feedback

I love the idea of a collective 🥰

But I don't like the idea that one would have to pay a monthly fee to be a part of it (which I assume the structure will be if you get your first month free).

kirsten-mcg

@Gabby-Correia This sounds interesting! I think a monthly fee for something like this sounds reasonable. It's either that or collecting a percent on commissions. You've got to pay for the service somehow! I'm assuming that members will set up a portfolio on your site to demonstrate their skills and list experience?

Gabby Correia

@Alexe53 thank you so much for your kind words! SVS had definitely played a big role in being able to get a good stream of clients and I really wish that for everyone.

My goal is to be able to connect good illustrators that aren't being seen with good clients/authors that value their work. I'm not 100% sure how I will be able to filter them, but I think education would be a big part and of course getting rid of the scammers. Having the monthly fee is one way I am filtering out scammers and authors who won't pay a reasonable fee to artists.

Gabby Correia

@kirsten-mcg Thank you! Yes members will have their own profile where they can upload their images and services. They will also be able to show their cost, availability, level of experience, where they are from and get reviews. You will be able to receive msgs and apply to jobs that authors list.

Freelance sites take a huge cut from commissions. I think Fiverr is 20% and then they charge service fees on top of that when you transfer your funds.

Gabby Correia

@carlianne thank you for your feedback!

I wish I could do it for free, but running a website like that isn't free and I am paying for it all out of my own pocket.

Having a monthly fee also acts as a filter for scammers and it deters authors/clients who aren't willing to pay their freelancers well. Like I've mentioned before, other freelance sites take a big chunk of your commission and charge you fees on top of it. I won't be doing that, no payments will need to go through the site.

The monthly fee will be small, $9 for Launch Team members.

kirsten-mcg

@Gabby-Correia And on Fiver you tend to get lost amid all the cheap and low quality work. I'd be happy to join your launch team!

Nyrryl Cadiz

@Gabby-Correia sounds awesome!

Gabby Correia

@kirsten-mcg Yes exactly! You can sign up here if you haven't already https://mailchi.mp/caterpillarcollective/sign-up-to-email-list

carlianne

@Gabby-Correia I didn't mean to say you should do it for free but that there's other ways to collect money and that I'd rather pay when I actually get a gig not just for looking.

Gabby Correia

@carlianne I understand! Thank you