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 1
Full Measures: The Creative Business Mindset
Follow Your Passion, Fall Off a Cliff
Business in The Front, Creative in The Back
It’s No Longer a Hobby
Another Creative Business? Really?
Chapter 2
Rookie of the Year: Pushing the Start Button
How to Start
When to Start
Who You Need (Your Services Army)
Where to Start (Finding a Home)
The Truth About Starting
What You Actually Need–The Minimal Starter List
Chapter 3
The Hunt: Sales, Marketing, and Getting Client Work
Getting Clients
Two Sides of Marketing: Inbound & Outbound
Building the Machine
How to Sell Creative Services
Your Online Presence
The Geometry of Business: Targeted Vertical & Horizontal Marketing
Quick Marketing Tips
Chapter 4
Basic Rocket Science: Pricing Your Work
Building a Pricing Strategy
Finding Your Shop Rate & Knowing What You Need
Raising Your Rates
Pricing Model 1: Hourly Billing
Pricing Model 2: Project-based & Flat-fee Pricing
Pricing Model 3: Value-based Pricing
Pricing Model 4: Retainer Pricing
Pricing Model 5: Package Pricing
Pricing Model 6: Performance-based Pricing
Pricing Model 7: Equity Pricing
Additional Pricing Factors
Chapter 5
Home Economics: Getting Paid–Contracts, Operations, and Billing
Proposals
Contracts
Working For Free
Documents
Getting Paid–Invoicing, Billing, & Collections
Cash Flow
Chapter 6
A Very Delicate Matter: Managing Client Expectations
Setting Client Expectations
Communications & Project Management
Client Revisions & Scope Creep
Copyright & Intellectual Property
Long-term Client Relationships
When Things Go South
Chapter 7
Done is Better Than Perfect: Doing the Work
Just Ship It
Imposter Syndrome
Procrastination
Scheduling & Time Management
Delegation
Side Projects
Chapter 8
The Art of Discourse: Community, Collaboration, and Showering Regularly
Avoid Isolation
Build Relationships
Build an Audience
Build Bridges
Build Collaborations
Chapter 9
No Time Like the Future: Growing Your Creative Business
Freelancers vs. Employees
Hiring Help
Scaling
Partnerships & Mergers
Office Space
Failure is an option
Chapter 10
Taking a Break from All Your Worries: This Creative Life
Mind
Body
Stop Being Busy
Burnout
Embrace the ups and downs
About That Courage
Go and Grow
Biography
Brad Weaver is a Managing Partner & Director of Design at Nine Labs. He founded Suckerpunch in 2007 which merged with Nine Labs in 2014. Previously, he worked on the development of early Mobile and Online Media programs at Verizon Wireless. He works with clients including GE, Pirelli, AT&T, ESPN, Disney, Columbia Records, NATO, The PGA, Coca-Cola, UnitedHealth Group, Macy's, and Hard Rock Café on User Experience and Branding projects.
