Creating a great promotion piece

A recent article in How Magazine (August 2006 Issue about Illustration) mentions that the first step to getting a great illustrating gig is to create a great promotional piece to send to potential clients.

How should one go about getting inspired to create this piece, it suggests? By being honest with yourself and letting loose of the pressures of family, friends, what you think is "in" now or what you think your client wants. Create an illustration about something either close to your heart or happening in your life. The sincerity will show through and clients will notice.

(He also notes that you should determine your "signature" and stick with it so that the potential client thinks of you when he need that type of illustration.)

Want more? Run and go buy this issue of How Magazine (Free Trial on their website - www.howdesign.com).