💛The One Thing Most Illustrator Websites Forget (& That Could Lead to More Work)!
💌 Why You Need an Email Signup : Even as an Illustrator ?
In my last post , I shared how your website should feel like a storytelling and not just a gallery of your final illustrations (if you missed it - Read it here).
When you think about your portfolio site, you probably focus on:
🎨 The art.
✨ The gallery.
📚 Maybe your latest book or client work.
And that’s good ,your website should showcase your work.
But let me ask you something that might shift everything:
When someone loves your illustrations… what happens next?
Here’s the truth:
Hiring decisions don’t always happen on the first visit.
Art directors are busy.
Self-publishing authors are overwhelmed.
Potential collaborators need time to decide.
So what happens when they visit your site, love your work, but… click away?
Without a way to stay in touch, they may never return.
Now imagine this instead:
They visit your site and love your illustrations.
They see a friendly invite to “get updates on your new work” or “get tips from behind the scenes.”
They sign up. A month later, they get an update from you with a new book release.
They remember you.
They hit reply: “Are you available for a new project?”
That’s the power of email.💌
📌 Email Signups Aren’t Just for Newsletters💛
Let’s get practical. What could you actually send?
Here’s how email helps illustrators stay top of mind (even if you only email once a month):
Hiring follow-ups: Share your availability, new work, or project recaps.
Behind-the-scenes insights: Sketches, character explorations, or process peeks.
Shop updates: If you sell prints or books, email is your best conversion channel.
Soft storytelling: You invite people into your world without social media overwhelm.
Remember: You’re not just an artist. You’re a visual storyteller.💛
Your email list can become a quiet but powerful audience that wants to hear from you.
What Does a Good Signup Look Like?
It doesn’t need to be flashy or pushy. Just clear and kind.
Here are a few examples you could use:
“Want to peek into my sketchbook and see how stories come to life? Join my list for behind-the-scenes updates.”
“I illustrate stories for kids — and sometimes, I write them too. Get new work + small updates right in your inbox.”
“New books, new art, and what I’m learning along the way. Join me here.”
And most importantly: Put it on your homepage.
Don’t hide it in the footer or “Contact” page.
A client should be able to fall in love with your work and sign up to stay connected (all in one visit).
Final Word
Your website shouldn’t just show your art.
It should build relationships.
An email signup box might look small — but it opens big doors:
🖤 More visibility
🖤 More creative control
🖤 More moments of connection with the right clients
If you’re feeling stuck, I’d love to help.
Let’s design a website that not only looks great — but works.
And if you’re short on time or just want a beautiful head start, I’m building a Wix website template made just for illustrators (complete) with:
A built-in email signup section
Story-first layout flow
Clear client-friendly sections
If you are interested - just hit Message . You save yourself from tech overwhelm & focus on your creative pursuits .💛
Thanks for being here.
I’m cheering you on.
— SketchToSite.
Creative Website Mentor for Children’s Book Illustrators.💛