Book Review - Creative, Inc - The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business

A Crafty-Graphics Book Review

Creative, Inc - The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business
By Meg Mateo Ilasco & Joy Deangdeelert Cho
Published in 2010 by Chronicle Books LLC
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/
Designed by Oh Joy! Studio.




Creative, Inc. is one handy little book! The focus of this collaborative effort is on starting, growing and surviving a freelance business. Most of us probably think of business-specific creative fields such as graphic design, photography, filmmaking, illustration and the like would be marketable freelance businesses. But, what if you had the same know-how as these folks, the ones you often depend on as a creative person yourself, to market your own business?


I highly recommend this book for any creative person who is starting up their own business and would like to be a successful self-employed person.


They cover a variety of important topics such as :


• WHO SHOULD DO THIS - The qualities a freelance person should have.


• WHERE SHOULD IT BE DONE - How to get your studio to work for you. Or, how to work with the space you have.


• HOW TO MAKE IT LEGIT – The legal ins and outs of establishing your business.


• WHO ARE YOU – How to brand and market your business.


• WHERE’S THE BEEF? – You need to get paid, right? You’ll need to know how to write an estimate, invoice and contract.


• WHO CAN HELP – Some of you might want an agent to represent you. This does not apply to everybody.


• HOW TO STAY SANE – Balancing work and life ain’t easy. But, it’s hugely important for both the success of your business and your mental health.



Each chapter ends on an interview with a successful creative freelancer who offers lots of great advice.


All in all, it was well worth the $16.95 that I paid for this book.