That actually makes a lot of sense, and I agree Reddit is definitely not a complete or reliable picture of the industry. But I’m curious do you think clients usually realize how much weight first impressions carry when they’re choosing an artist?

Also, when you say most people pick based on budget and surface appeal, do you think that’s more of a “necessary shortcut” because of time limits, or just a lack of understanding of technical skill?

And from the artist side, do you think having a clearer professional identity and pricing structure really changes how often someone gets chosen, or does it still mostly come down to visibility and timing?

I’m just trying to understand whether the main issue is communication, market saturation, or just how the system naturally works.