Customer Reviews

Start & Run a Creative Services Business

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Starting and running your own business is often not something you want to do, it's what you absolutely have to do. Perhaps you have to do it because of some kind of internal drive that simply won't accept anything else. Perhaps you have to do it because you're tired of working for someone else, or tired of getting laid off because the owners kid got your job.

Once you make the decision to get started, there are a couple of things to remember:

One is that the only thing you have to sell is your time. Therefore don't waste time on trivia, that is, if you can find out what just what constitutes trivia. You obviously have to take time to set up an office, get the computer working, all that kind of stuff. But you don't have time to paint the house, wash the car during business hours, etc.

Two is that you have to treat this seriously as a business. Begin doing real accounting, so that your relationship with the IRS can remain smooth - remember they are your partner in this venture.

Three specialize in something. You may be the greatest thing in web design (a popular new business area), or TV ad production. Play to your strengths, don't try to be all things to all people.

Four, take advantage of the services offered by things like the Small Business Councils, often funded by your state university.

Realize that it's going to be difficult and plan for Murphy to screw things up, for it to cost more than you expect.

This book covers many of these areas, but just keep these points in mind as you read the book. The author knows what she is talking about.

Having been in the design and advertising industry since 1972, I attest that this book has what it takes to teach you the ropes of freelancing. Susan relates so many scenarios -- working with clients -- that I remember directly from my past experiences. She's right on the money with dozens of hard-learned lessons of how to be a successful freelancer; or how not to. If you're starting or running a creative business... be it freelance or not -- you need this book. Don't delay.

This month's "EDITOR'S CHOICE" in the Design Bookshelf

Great advice because it comes from one with experience.
Inspired me to continue on my creative business path.

This book would be a great help if it was published in 1965, but very little help in 2006 given that personal computers have changed the way we do business, both locally and globally, in the last 15 years.

The content is mainly a collection of anecdotes about the author's experiences setting up her freelance business. Technical and hard facts are woefully missing.

And information that is there seems very out of touch with the way the real world operates. Example: The author heartily endorses buying a Mac as opposed to a PC, for the obvious reason that Macs are better computers. Agreed, they are. But 96% of the planet uses PCs and Windows, so do you really want to be out of synch with 96% of your potential customer base?