The Business Side of Creativity: The Complete Guide to Running a Small Graphics Design or Communications Business

by Cameron S. Foote, Mark Bellerose (Illustrator)

Hailed by one reviewer as the creative business "bible," and considered the authoritative book on the subject for over ten years, The Business Side of Creativity is back, updated and revised to include even more invaluable facts, tips, strategies, and advice for beginning creatives. Every year the market for creative services expands, but the competition is increasing even faster. Today, success hinges not on talent alone, but on a thorough understanding of the business side of creativity. The Business Side of Creativity is the most comprehensive business companion available to freelance graphic designers, art directors, illustrators, copywriters, and agency or design-shop principals. Cameron S. Foote, a successful entrepreneur and editor of the Creative Business newsletter, guides you step-by-step through the process of being successfully self-employed - from getting launched as a freelancer to running a multiperson shop to retiring comfortably, and everything in between. Sample business forms and documents to help put the information into practice are included in the appendixes, and are available for downloading at www.creativebusiness.com/bizbook.html. How should you organize? What should you charge? What marketing techniques yield the best returns? How do you know when it's right to expand? What are the most effective strategies for managing employees? How can you build salable equity? The Business Side of Creativity delves into these questions and hundreds more and gives you practical, real-world answers and invaluable expert advice.

Genres: Business, Design, Nonfiction, Reference, Art Design, Art

432 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1996

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

though i've gotten through but a few chapters, it's already been an enormous help. i promise to write more on this once i've gotten through a bigger chunk of it, but i'm fairly certain this could help anyone looking to do any type of freelance work. just one of the many helpful things are some pre-made forms that can be downloaded and used for your own business.

[Shari Marshall]

I purchased “The Business Side of Creativity”—updated edition—by Cameron S. Foote for an online class I was enrolled in. It’s a worthwhile investment, well-written and full of helpful information. It’s a recommended read for people starting a freelance business in the creative field.

[Tierra Bartolotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read to get a foundational starting point. Much of what is written here is still very relevant. Found a ton of value in this book & it gave me a much better understanding of how to lay a solid foundation as I’m transitioning from Creative freelancer to Creative Business owner.

[Marie]

Very helpful for freelancers. Similar content to author's other book "The Creative Business Guide to Running a Graphic Design Business" but less dry and specific to freelancers although I recommend reading both.

[Alicia Zuto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is jam packed with links and useful information that you can get right down and dirty with in a productive way.

[Jennifer Gyuricska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent textbook for starting out.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far, it is woefully out of date for interactive and web freelance advice. I guess I should have known this since it was published in 2006.

[Alix · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you plan to leave your job and start a freelancing graphic design gig, this is your bible.

[Alan Bay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for artists and designers, whether or not if you wanted to start freelancing.
It is always good to know how to promote and 'sell' yourself, to clients and bosses.