So, you’ve decided to start your own studio. What are the next steps?

Perhaps you feel the studio you work for is holding you back from your potential as an animator, you’ve had enough of the pressure of going it alone as a freelancer, or you want to start building the resources to take on larger projects. In this article, we explore the daunting next step—how to lay the foundations for a future studio of your own.

1. Check your experience

Hopefully, you’ve made the decision to start your own studio because you feel confident in the experience you already have, whether through freelance animation or working in studios.

Think carefully about the kind of experience that will drive your future studio and allow you to stand out from your competitors. Is there a specific type of business you’ve worked for again and again in the past? An animation style which you know how to pull off to a high standard? A promotional video template you’ve perfected?

checking your experience before starting a studio

2. Check what you don't know

Just as it’s important to establish the strengths of your new studio, it’s also worth checking the gaps in your knowledge. Running a studio requires a wide range of skills which are unfamiliar to many animators. Ask yourself how confident you feel in the following:

Company registration
Accounting and marketing

Tax and insurance
How to pitch and quote a project

Company registration
Accounting and marketing
Tax and insurance
How to pitch and quote a project

If you’re unsure about any of these, it’s time to do some homework! Starting a studio means that you will have to learn lots of new skills in a short space of time. Research, do some short courses, and ask more experienced contacts you might have to get on board!

3. Check your funds

Having a lucrative client or project already lined up can help to kick-start your studio, but before you start out, make sure you know where the money’s coming from.

Before starting your studio, it’s a good idea to save as much as possible and gain early financial security before you begin. If this isn’t an option, try to find someone who’s willing to invest in your start up business—do you have any family members, friends, or business contacts you can get on board?

The other, riskier, option is to take out a loan. This route merits extreme caution and should only be something you consider if you have a guaranteed source of future income from an upcoming project.

Having a lucrative client or project already lined up can help to kick-start your studio, but before you start out, make sure you know where the money’s coming from.

Before starting your studio, it’s a good idea to save as much as possible and gain early financial security before you begin. If this isn’t an option, try to find someone who’s willing to invest in your start up business—do you have any family members, friends, or business contacts you can get on board?

The other, riskier, option is to take out a loan. This route merits extreme caution and should only be something you consider if you have a guaranteed source of future income from an upcoming project.

4. Put yourself out there!

Starting a studio means making your voice heard. Without a visible presence in the market, finding leads to take on will be nearly impossible. Here are some of the ways you can develop your brand presence:

Portfolio

Showcase your proficiency as an experienced animator through your portfolio. Carefully select the best-looking projects, displayed clearly, and make them easy for clients to access. Great places to display your portfolio include your website and social media, or other visual platforms like Artstation.

Social media

According to social media management site hootsuite, over half a billion new users joined social media in the last twelve months. Clearly, this is not a platform your business can afford to miss out on. You should aim to have a strong social media presence across all the main platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter to ensure as many eyes as possible are on your business.

Website

A website is the keystone to marketing your new studio. Here your clients will see your past work, get a feel for your brand, and decide whether your studio is a good fit for their project. It’s a good idea to have a studio email linked to your website, complete with good-looking signature graphics to make it as easy as possible for future leads to get in touch.

create the perfect animation portfolio in nine easy steps: keep it simple

Networking

As well as establishing a digital presence, part of promoting your business should include online and in-person networking. Look for events going on near you and put yourself out there to meet like-minded animators, potential clients, or contacts who might have the skills you need to help your studio grow.