Customer Reviews

Creative, Inc.: The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This is hardly "the ultimate guide." If you're really wanting to freelance, this is fluff and fantasy. It's a cutesy book with some good information, but light on reality. One point they did not address was what one should do, and which happens if you don't get paid, and is rather important! Seriously if you want to get started, the book to get into is the Graphic Artist's Guild Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines and/or join the organization or AIGA. There are any number of books better than this. Fun to look at, but not very useful.

I have been on the edge of going freelance with graphic design for a while now, and this book finally gave me that last little push to follow my dream! Here is what I love about it:

1. it's simple & easy and CLEAR! (this whole process can be overwhelming!)
2. you get information from other creatives doing the same thing!
3. i loved the sample estimate & invoice forms! so helpful.
4. it feels like you are just talking to a good friend who has legit advice.
5. and most of all it is motivational! (and easy on the eyes)

it IS a winner, people!

bri emery
graphic designer
designlovefest.com
briemery.com

When my sister and I run the world, all college students, no matter their chosen field, will take a basic business course as part of the mandatory freshman curriculum. Having zero business skills is a good way to invalidate any degree. In the freelance world, there's much more to staying financially afloat than having all the necessary skills to pull off excellent work.

Creative, Inc. is a crash course in business for creative folk, and it's refreshing to read authors who don't pretend starting a freelance business is simple. It's not.

Authors Mateo Ilasco and Cho hit every key point a person needs to build a start-up creative business, including a superb mix of practical advice and personal success stories.

With well-rounded advice for beginning freelancers, even those who've already leapt into freelancing will find help navigating the dark waters of taxes, billing, finding clients, and other business practicalities. Written in a neighborly tone, you'll find solid, practical advice from the authors, who tackle issues like establishing your hourly rate and hiring employees from an educated perspective. Author interviews with a range of seasoned professionals -- from prop stylist to designer to photographer -- offer alternate views on how to get started and what worked for them.

The spirit of invention is only one ingredient in a successful business venture. Drive counts more than your skillset and talent level. If you're already motivated, Creative Inc. offers everything else you'll need to begin freelancing full time.

I'm so proud of Joy and Meg because this book turned out to be an absolute go-to guide for creatives and one that I know I'll share with those who want to jump into creative fields. If you are looking for guidance as you launch your creative business or if you are a seasoned pro who could still stand to learn a few new tricks, Creative, Inc. is an excellent guide that you'll want to refer to time and time again.

I personally found it helpful -- I recommend it to beginners out there looking to launch but also to those who have been working independently for some time because the world of freelancing can be quite confusing with tons of gray areas no matter how long you've been freelancing. I jumped out of a corporate career in 2005 to pursue a freelance profession and I'm still learning how to navigate the waters as things change so quickly due to the rather unstructured nature of it all.

Out here, there is no rule book, no HR group or legal team to tap into when you need help. All of the decision-making and ultimately the entire business and what you do with it falls on Y-O-U which can be tricky, scary, exciting, motivating, whatever you make of it really. That is also why creatives need some support and guidance from those who get it, who have had to navigate this ever-changing environment through trial and error. Thankfully with a guide like this one, which is filled with excellent suggestions by two ladies who have "been there", the heartache and headache that can come from not knowing how to handle certain things (or handling them incorrectly!) can be significantly reduced or avoided altogether if one follows this handy how-to.

I also must add how much I appreciate the friendly delivery -- all too often books concerning business can read as preachy or blah but this one is professional yet approachable, witty at times, and altogether a good "yawn free" read (which I can't say about most of the business titles out there!). The interviews in the book are excellent as well -- Meg and Joy chat with a diverse crowd of creative freelancers which reinforces their words throughout the book and helps the reader to feel more supported while also seeing the way out.

Great work Joy and Meg!

This was a great, easy and informative read. I loved reading about the case studies from freelancers in different creative fields-- even though I am a graphic designer, I was also inspired and took valuable information from the freelance photographers, illustrators, etc. that were featured. Meg & Joy are candid and honest about the creative freelance world and give great advice and insight for those just starting out or have been working for themselves for a while.

I found myself writing notes and setting new goals while reading the book! It is a great book to kick-start a new business or add new life to an existing one.

Plus, the design of the book is divine!

All in all, loved the read!

Alyssa // Graphic Designer

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I've just started dabbling in some freelance graphic design, and recently got this book. I found this book to be very helpful, insightful and informative. It's current and up to date in the freelance business industry. I was already a little familiar with some of the industry information provided in the book, however, I gained much more insight from the topics discussed in this book. The chapters on "Getting Paid" and "agents" were particularly helpful. The Artists' Profiles were my favorite part of the book! It was very interesting and insightful to read various Q&A interviews from other freelance designers in the industry. I felt the Artist Profiles really added to the book with "real world" perspectives.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I learned from this book. It's a well written, down to earth guide, that's very informative for anyone in the creative freelance business.

I'd recommend this to anyone who is in the freelance creative field. It's written by creatives that get it!

My Highlights:
Interviews with successful creative freelancers
Time management tips
Pricing structure & formulas
The design of the book itself

It's a great pocket sized, easy to reference guide to freelancing. Although I wish it had more reference material in the Resource section.