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

Felt like I was reading an longer version of 'wikiHow". Everything was super vague, there were no instructions on how to take immediate action, and half the book was just filled with interviews with successful freelancers that weren't helpful.

I was hoping that purchasing a book written by women would help me figure out some things about the freelance business. That I as a woman would be able to understand it being told from a woman’s perspective. Didn’t tell me what I already knew.

Freelancing, whether you are a photographer or illustrator can be an extremely daunting task. How do you find clients? How much should you charge them? How do you balance your schedule so you aren't always working? All this and more are covered in Creative, Inc.The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business. Meg Mateo Ilasco & Joy Deangdeelert Cho, have written a clear concise guide full of practical information, interspersed with anecdotes of those who have turned their artistic talent into a thriving freelance career. The book begins with the basics of how to decide if freelancing is a good fit, and then goes into detail building your business from the ground up.Ilasco and Cho are great authorities on this subject because they themselves have turned their own talents into extremely flourishing careers. Ilasco runs a studio by her own name which produces stationery and home products. She has written a few other books and serves as the creative director of Anthology, a new home and lifestyle magazine. Cho not only runs her own successful stationery business, and writes two blogs [...]), but also has a consulting business for new small business owners and freelancers.Creative Inc book fills the void of information for artists wanting to turn their vision to a full time business. The book is written in a casual and straightforward manner, making it a must read for anyone trying to make the jump to freelance or starting a small business.

Good book! I’m starting an instructional design and eLearning development freelance business which is part science (learning) and part art (design); while this book is good, I felt it focused more on animators, photographers, culinary artists, etc. I found it to be valuable nonetheless.

I can't stop myself from flipping to the next page! Extremely, valuable information and resources! If you're looking to learn the skills/process of being a [insert creative position/field here] then this book isn't helpful. However, you should still consider including it in your cart regardless. It's either going to inspire you and make you want to start your creative business right away, or it's gonna make you say "Nope, that ain't for me" (but honestly, there's even tips for how to deal with the different areas of it that you don't want to deal with). REALLY an extremely useful guide.Thank you for this gem!

This book is great and very thorough, covering several aspects of freelance and including insights from a great variety of designers. I love how the book is sectioned off and each focus is described thoroughly for easy understanding. As a bonus, the book size is perfect like a small chapter book or novel; I don't have to lug around a huge textbook.

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 simply didn't know about the freelance world. It is a simplistic and visual approach to give you a good overview of what it will take to freelance. Sprinkled in are are interviews of professionals in appropriate sections of the book.Not necessarily a straight read-through; I jumped around a lot.Good read!

The authors have found a way to reach out to creative like me with a very good, 'hands on' approach to fueling the creative spirit. No longer is one to be content within your borders, but instead seek out in a bold approach with other disciplines to broaden and enrich your own work. Written as a 'how to' type of experience, the many experiences of those interviewed helped me gain a richer viewpoint of what other creative go through and expect from others. Very good.

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 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.

Highly organized and thoughtful book of everything you could imagine entering (or expanding) on your freelance career. I find the book more universal, than thorough, and wish some areas were given a bit more attention. They refer you to other sources or websites for more reading--which is helpful--but reduces the impact of its own resourcefulness. This books feels like someone holding is holding your hand in a career direction that seems to have no guide.

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."While it also didn't feel like an "Ultimate" guide, I have no problem with that part of the title, a little exaggeration never hurt anybody, but the "Creative" part about it mislead me into buying a book that wasn't for me. Pretty surprised that copywriters were barely mentioned considering the bulk of the freelance market is mostly comprised of designers, photographers and writers.In a nutshell, this book is for you if: you're a newbie designer or other visual arts and/or new to freelancing.Fellow copywriters, this book is not for you. "Creative" just seemed a little too broad in this case.

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 emerygraphic designerdesignlovefest.combriemery.com