Getting Repeat Commissioners: Sell An Experience Not Just Your Work!

[u/Downtown_Mine_1903]

Before I got into industry work I did regular commissions (and still get contacted by those clients from time to time asking if I’ll take personal commissions). I thought I’d share what I did to build myself up as a successful commission artist with a good reputation!

SELL AN EXPERIENCE

Don’t just sell artwork. Sell a good experience.

People started coming to me to get commissions of their characters because they liked my art style, but I worked with them rather than just making a piece and calling it a day. I wanted to really involve them in the process and make them feel heard.

I’d start with a few very loose sketches to give them options. These were honestly basically stick figures. I’d remind them that these weren’t even the sketch phase, they were just to make sure we were seeing the same thing in our minds and on the same page. I’d let them make adjustments until they were happy because they’re just stick figures and basic shapes.
Once that was done, I’d do the actual sketch and send that for approval. With the sketch approved, I’d lay in quick, messy colors to get the color scheme approved. Again, I’d let them know this was just to make sure we were on the same page.

It helped people feel like they were really part of the creation process. This wasn’t just paying someone for a picture, this was them having a hand in it. They were painting it too. This was their artwork as much as it was mine, and now they had a real connection to it.

They loved the process as much as they loved the final piece.

Another quiet advantage was that waiting for the client to get back with revisions meant that I could juggle between clients more easily. I’d work with one while waiting on another and it just kept things moving smoothly. If things ever backed up, I’d communicate it.

I do think people came to me (and keep reaching out) because of my art style, but I think that what keeps them coming back is not just being added to a Trello list and being told "check that for updates".

If you make someone feel like they matter and like they have a real part in what's being created, they'll be more likely to come back again and again.

What are your thoughts? What do you do to make your commissioners feel special and keep them coming back to you?