ABSTRACT

Creative Truth is your playbook for starting, building, and enjoying a profitable design business. Whether you’re a solo freelancer working from home or a small group of creative entrepreneurs ready to get to the next level, this is your roadmap to success. You’re the CEO, CFO, CTO, Secretary, Janitor, Office Manager, and everything in between. Finding a balance between running the business and doing great creative work is a constant struggle. From learning how to price your work and manage your time, to setting up your business and defining your market, Brad Weaver covers everything designers need to know to run a studio without losing heart.

Highlights:

• Real numbers, real tools, and best practices in a toolkit that you can start using immediately in your business.

• A companion website that offers up-to-date resources, articles, tools, and discussions, allowing readers to continue learning as they grow.

• Practical tips for getting clients, being more profitable, building your network, managing your operations, getting things done, hiring help, managing contractors, and finding joy along the way.

chapter |10 pages

Full Measures

The Creative Business Mindset

chapter |25 pages

Rookie of the Year

Pushing the Start Button

chapter |32 pages

The Hunt

Sales, Marketing, and Getting Client Work

chapter |61 pages

Basic Rocket Science

Pricing Your Work

chapter |31 pages

Home Economics

Getting Paid—Contracts, Operations, and Billing

chapter |20 pages

A Very Delicate Matter

Managing Client Expectations

chapter |19 pages

Done is Better Than Perfect

Doing the Work

chapter |17 pages

The Art of Discourse

Community, Collaboration, and Showering Regularly

chapter |22 pages

No Time Like the Future

Growing Your Creative Business

chapter |18 pages

Taking a Break from All Your Worries

This Creative Life