As the hipster classic Craft, Inc. did for crafters, this book will teach all types of creatives illustrators, photographers, graphic designers, animators, and more how to build a successful business doing what they love. Freelancing pros Meg Mateo Ilasco and Joy Deangdeelert Cho explain everything from creating a standout portfolio to navigating the legal issues of starting a business. Accessible, spunky, and packed with practical advice, Creative, Inc. is an essential for anyone ready to strike out on their own.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Meg Mateo Ilasco started her freelance business, Mateo Ilasco, in 2005 and is the author of Craft, Inc. and the Craft, Inc. Business Planner. Meg lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Joy Deangdeelert Cho launched her design business, Oh Joy!, in 2005. She works with clients nationwide and authors an award-winning design blog. Joy lives in Philadelphia.
Joy Deangdeelert Cho launched her design business, Oh Joy!, in 2005. She works with clients nationwide and authors an award-winning design blog. Joy lives in Philadelphia.
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More About the Author
Meg Mateo Ilasco is a writer, designer, and illustrator in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the principal of the eponymous stationery and housewares company, Mateo Ilasco . She's authored several books including the best-selling business book "Craft, Inc."
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By dannielle
Format:Paperback
I found this book to not only be an interesting read but very informative too. It starts off as a guide for those who have never freelanced before but as you move on through the chapters it suggests that you have started your business and by the end it talks about the future.
It is a great book for those who are starting out at the very beginning but is also useful for people (like me) who have been working for themselves for a while. There is information on setting up a portfolio, what kind of person you need to be to be able to do this sort of work and has a big focus on those that work for clients.
For me, the best parts of the book were the profile interviews with other creative freelancers who are successful in their own business as well as the chapters on pricing, agents and balancing work and personal life.
The pricing chapter was particularly helpful to me, so much so that I actually wished I could hug the authors when I read it.
I also appreciated the chapter on finding an agent and whether that might be the right decision for you. The balancing of work and personal life (something I'm not that great at) was also helpful, especially from a standpoint from someone who's been-there-done-that.
The book is honest and funny at times and it doesn't make the world of freelancing sound like a whole lot of long lunches and never ending holidays, which I think adds to its usefulness. But it doesn't make it sound like a hell that you'll wish you never entered either. I will also note that while it is written for an American audience, other than the parts about becoming a business in a legal sense and the tax requirements, it seems pretty universal and certainly applicable to Australian and international readers.
I will be keeping this book close to hand so that I can refer to it over and over, I think it will be a great resource and I'm already considering buying another copy for a friend of mine who I think will benefit from it too.
Thanks to Meg and Joy for writing this resource, I think it's the kind of book that will stay relevant for years to come.
It is a great book for those who are starting out at the very beginning but is also useful for people (like me) who have been working for themselves for a while. There is information on setting up a portfolio, what kind of person you need to be to be able to do this sort of work and has a big focus on those that work for clients.
For me, the best parts of the book were the profile interviews with other creative freelancers who are successful in their own business as well as the chapters on pricing, agents and balancing work and personal life.
The pricing chapter was particularly helpful to me, so much so that I actually wished I could hug the authors when I read it.
I also appreciated the chapter on finding an agent and whether that might be the right decision for you. The balancing of work and personal life (something I'm not that great at) was also helpful, especially from a standpoint from someone who's been-there-done-that.
The book is honest and funny at times and it doesn't make the world of freelancing sound like a whole lot of long lunches and never ending holidays, which I think adds to its usefulness. But it doesn't make it sound like a hell that you'll wish you never entered either. I will also note that while it is written for an American audience, other than the parts about becoming a business in a legal sense and the tax requirements, it seems pretty universal and certainly applicable to Australian and international readers.
I will be keeping this book close to hand so that I can refer to it over and over, I think it will be a great resource and I'm already considering buying another copy for a friend of mine who I think will benefit from it too.
Thanks to Meg and Joy for writing this resource, I think it's the kind of book that will stay relevant for years to come.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Meg Lewis
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I haven't been freelancing for long, but I've been in the game long enough to not be too much of a newbie. I knew a lot of the nuts and bolts information about freelancing, but Creative Inc. was such a motivational help to keep me going strong! It's so nice to read a book on this topic without being discouraged about legal jargon and business plans galore! Creative Inc. is the perfect mix of detailed information and friendly advice. The interviews with a diverse selection of freelancers is also really encouraging. Everyone in the book really understands what you are going through and has been there themselves. I think this book is a great buy for any type of designer/creative looking to work for themselves. Hey, if you're stuck behind a cubicle, read this and it will certainly change your life.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Creative, Inc. was a very helpful & quick read this past month for me. I have hit a point in my freelance career where I will need to decide to grow, to start a studio name, and do a lot of more serious planning as this skill of mine becomes more of my full-time focus. The girls did a great job in this book giving you just enough information to get you asking all the right questions, without overly complicating topics that could probably each have their own sets of books because they can get involved. It's a perfect insight for a native to the industry (like me) or a new graduate or younger professional trying to gather all the information before making an informed decision. There are a lot of interviews from real professionals from all different creative industries, such as graphic designers, animation freelancers a CPS's insight on taxes and illustrators.
If you are thinking about freelancing and want to get an idea of how to start, what is involved and where to go from here, this book is for you.
If you are working in the business, feel stuck, scared or just need some inspiration to get things moving, this $11 is well spent for a quick read to get your mind moving again.
I look forward to more in the future.
(specifically on the topic of when and how to decide to start using a studio name vs. your own as a freelancer!)
wink wink.
If you are thinking about freelancing and want to get an idea of how to start, what is involved and where to go from here, this book is for you.
If you are working in the business, feel stuck, scared or just need some inspiration to get things moving, this $11 is well spent for a quick read to get your mind moving again.
I look forward to more in the future.
(specifically on the topic of when and how to decide to start using a studio name vs. your own as a freelancer!)
wink wink.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Problem with the title
I'm an experienced copywriter but new to the freelancing world. My problem with this book is that the title should REALLY be: "Design Inc. Read more
Published 18 hours ago by J. Fuster
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved this book
A great reference book for beginning designers. It covered a lot of what I need to know as an entry level designer getting ready to freelance.
Published 1 day ago by Grady
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect Condition and Prompt Arrival
I found Creative Inc very helpful and a resource I will go back to again and again. It also arrived promptly and in perfect condition.
Published 3 days ago by A. Hasson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful, well-written advice
As author of Getting and Keeping Great Copywriting Clients - How to Generate Leads, Close Sales, and Pay Your Bills to Stay Profitable Right from the Start, I stand by this book as... Read more
Published 4 days ago by Jason Luong
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great - but not for me
Well written and informative - but not for me. I am looking to start freelancing in the copyediting field but this book is more directed to those in the illustrating/photograpy... Read more
Published 2 months ago by jjkearb
4.0 out of 5 stars
a great place to start
It's a great place to start if you are thinking about flying solo, but I was really hoping for more depth. The resources section is great.
Published 3 months ago by Anne Kubena
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good read if you want to freelance
I love reading books on this subject, and this one did not disappoint. All in all a good book that will give you the groundwork needed to start the process of working for yourself... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Booksponge
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
This is a great start for those that have no clue where to begin. Lots of the information was very helpful.
Published 4 months ago by Jennifer M. Sandor
3.0 out of 5 stars
Helpful
I can see where this book would be a good place to start if you were looking into starting a business, but it is just the 101 of it all.
Published 5 months ago by Anne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bought for myself; no regrets.
I've been freelancing for four years and it's still a bit of a mystery to me. Creative Inc. helps iron out most of the bigger things that confused me and showed me a few things I... Read more
Published 5 months ago by thisbeatinghart
