Artist Participation Facts

Q? In the simplest terms, how does this program work?

If you are an artist and you would like to be assigned projects from SmallWebMaster.com, please submit the online form below. If you are accepted for the program, your name will be added to our list of approved freelance artists available to create artwork, caricatures, and illustrations for our future web clients.

Q? How much will it cost me to join your program?

There are no fees to artists who wish to be a part of this program. In fact, the whole point of the program is to get someone to pay you for the art you create.

Q? Where will the SmallWebMaster.com get assignments for its artists?

Each new SmallWebMaster.com client will be offered a menu of services. We know that graphics add visual interest to a web page and can also be used to illustrate the information that the website is trying to convey. As long as the graphics can be provided inexpensively, most web customers will see the added value of including illustrations and opt for at least some to be added to their site. This will be our primary source for these assignments.

Q? How will the SmallWebMaster.com assign projects to artists?

When an art project is quoted as part of a new or revised website project, an email will go out to all artists who have been identified as qualified and/or interested in that kind of assignment. Those who are available and interested in completing the assigment within the prescribed time frame can reply back to us.

Q? How will an artist know that they have been chosen to complete the assignment?

When we receive your message that you wish to be considered, we will send you a brief description of the client's requests or our proposal. We would expect you to respond within 48 hours with some pencil sketches and your proposed layout. You are the artist, so we would expect you to create the proposal. We would give you an idea of what the client is willing to pay and you should come back with a proposal that can be done within that budget. If you can not, then revise your proposal and your quote for services.

Q? How are artist proposals finally chosen?

We know that some artists will quickly determine that certain projects won't be worth their time. Other artists are willing to take on almost any project just for the practice and the ability to add to their resume. As long as we can provide the client with an acceptable product at a reasonable price, then it is really up to the client to make the final choice.

Q? Can you describe the type of work we should expect?

For most new and small companies, a logo or other primary theme would be the most common request. Let's say that Hoyle Consulting Services needed a new logo for its primary website. The assignment would be broadcast to everyone on the list that indicated that they would like to give it a try. To those who responded, we would send back an email that might say that our preferred colors were fire-engine red and egg-yolk yellow. We wanted a 2-inch by 2-inch version that could be reduced to 1x1. We also wanted a header banner that uses the same theme and color scheme that says, "Hoyle Consulting Services, We are indeed the best!" or something to that effect. The header graphic might need to be 7 inches wide and 2 inches tall. We'd want a palm tree in the background (to show that we we live in Oregon).

Q? Can you be more specific about what my assignments might be?

Yes. Besides logos and header art, there is some demand for artwork and illustrations that help tell a story or augment an article. These can include cartoons, caricatures, and thematic art. Part of your job will be to propose what you think will best describe or more clearly illustrate an article or story.

Go to THIS PAGE for sample artwork that more clearly defines what we might need.

Q? How would we submit our proposals?

Preferably by scanning them into a computer and then emailing them to us. If you aren't able to scan them, make copies and drop them in the mail. In most cases we should have them the next day.

Q? How is payment determined?

When we send out the original proposal we will let you know what limits have been given us by the client. If the client has left pricing open, then we will let you know that and you can quote your fee with your proposal. We will then offer your quote to the client, negotiate a final price and get back to you. If you accept the pricing, then we will go ahead and assign the job.

Q? How is SmallWebMaster.com paid for all this and how do I get my money?

We will price in a small profit or handling fee for our labor in dealing with the artwork. Upon completion and installation of the final website design, we will bill the client for our services and yours on one invoice. Upon receipt of the client's payment, we will send you a check for your portion of the work.

Q? What happens if the web client doesn't pay?

We won't start a major project ourselves without a deposit from the client. In most cases, the deposit should cover at least a major portion of your artwork. If the client rejects the final results because of our failure to perform, he will get his deposit back. If he simply fails to pay, then we take the website down until he does. We have been fortunate. We have forgiven billings for some work that we have done, and renegotiated others, but we have never not been paid for our work when payment was demanded and due.

Q? What other benefits will I get by joining this program?

We are trying to be very fair to our artists. We really want them to succeed and enjoy being part of our program. In most cases, we will try to negotiate with our website clients to allow us to give you page credit and/or footer credit for your artwork. On some unique and larger jobs, we will also ask for your artist bio to be included on the website at our expense. There are many ways for us to give you proper recognition for your talents. We will also have artist pages included on the SmallWebMaster.com website that will give you name exposure to visitors to our websites and on Google and Yahoo! search engines. We will send you more information about that program when we are ready to go online. That approach not only gives you recognition, but also allows future clients to see the work that you have done for us in the past. That exposure may get you more work on our websites due to client requests. You may get some art assignments directly from interested readers or even from competing webmasters or design companies. Who really knows how successful that might be? We'll just have to work together, test it and see what happens.

Q? What if I have more questions?

Please do not call, but simply drop us an email with your questions and we will get back to you within 24-hours (unless we are out of town). We welcome your comments and questions.

Q? I'm interested. So what do I do now?

Fill out the Quick Response Form below and we'll get you started. We'll respond back to you within 7 calendar days and send you an information packet (still being developed). If you still want to be a part of the program and we feel that your work would be a good fit for our style, then we will add you to our call list and place your name and bio on "Our Talented Artists" webpage.

Click here to go to our Artist Application Page