3 Powerful Ways Freelancers Can Profit From Emerging Trends – Part 2 of 3

Hi Sherm,

Thank you so much for your comments. I understand how busy we all are, and certainly appreciate the time you’ve taken to share your thoughts with me.

You make some very valid points. Showing examples more specific to my experience as a cartoonist and how I’ve used some of these trends in my own business may have certainly painted a clearer picture in this second part for you.

For example, last year we created a tie-in with the news topic of how type 2 diabetes among Hispanics were among the highest of any group. Through the development of that story line we reached out and was able to forge a partnership with the National Alliance for hispanic Health, the largest Hispanic health organization in the Nation. We cross promoted each other for a common cause, they flew us out to their live events for book signings, meet and greets, and it even landed me interviews on several prominent national radio show and a live TV segment of CNN en Español. A great promotional opportunity and win-win all the way around.

However, I want to be very mindful not to bring everything back to ‘Baldo’ ( for fear of being perceived an ego maniac ) nor make every example so specific to my work that it leaves some readers asking “well, that’s fine for you, you’re a syndicated cartoonist. How’s that apply to me?”

In this series, my goal is to keep it open ended enough as to stimulate exploration of the ideas without locking readers into one way of approaching something.

In this post I used two primary examples, one of a photographer and the other of a environmental artist ( actually, thinking of Drew Brophy’s work inspired this later example). Depending on your subject matter, style and market, this example could very well fit a cartoonist or humor illustrator.

Also, in regards to focusing more tightly on cartoonists and cartoon illustrators. This site is intended as a resource for all creative entrepreneurs. I have photographers, graphic designers and illustrators who subscribe to this site.

Frankly, I believe focusing on too narrow a niche such as only cartoonists and cartoon illustrators actually deprives us of other valuable marketing strategies and techniques being used outside our own industry that we can easily and profitably adopt/incorporate into our own.

I thank you again, for the opportunity to engage in a worthwhile discussion. I hope I have been of help and service, and I will certainly keep your suggestions in mind moving forward.