The Freedoms of Freelancing
Sure we know that in theory that going out on your own means you’re free to do whatever you want. However, some of the things that you don’t want to do — things like bookkeeping and marketing — are essential to the survival of your business.
And this is why the Freedoms of Freelancing can be a double-edged sword. If you ignore these really important aspects of the freelancing life, you may singlehandedly undermine your own success. You are certainly free to do that, but it’s not a very good idea. Luckily we have an upcoming workshop to help to tackle some of these larger issues. As you all pursue happiness this July 4th — do keep in mind that all work ethics are not created equal. Here’s a list of seven resources we recommend for balancing the freedom and the responsibilities of being a freelancer.
THE BOOKS
The Accidental Creative: How to Be Brilliant at a Moment’s Notice
By Todd Henry
It isn’t enough to just do your job anymore. In order to thrive in today’s marketplace, all of us, regardless of our role, have to be ready to generate brilliant ideas on demand. The Accidental Creative teaches effective practices that support your creative process. The Accidental Creative is your guide to staying fresh and doing your best work each day. LINK TO BOOK
📕 📗 📘
Business and Legal Forms for Graphic Designers
By Eva Doman Bruck, Tad Crawford
This classic industry tool, now in its fourth edition, brings together more than fifty essential and ready-to-use forms for graphic designers. All forms are accompanied by thorough explanations and are made available online / by CD so that they can be easily customized. Business and Legal Forms for Graphic Designers also provides step-by-step instructions, advice on standard contractual provisions, and unique negotiation checklists so you can deal correctly with clients and manage your office efficiently. LINK
📕 📗 📘
Best Business Practices for Photographers, Second Edition
by John Harrington
A follow-up to the successful and acclaimed “Best Business Practices for Photographers”, this updated and expanded edition serves as an even more comprehensive guide to achieving financial success and personal satisfaction in your business as a photographer. Included in this new edition are sections on licensing your work, making the career change from a staff photographer to a freelancer, surviving an IRS audit, and more. This book includes best practices in interacting with clients, negotiating contracts and licenses, and business operations. “Best Business Practices for Photographers, Second Edition” is the key to a successful career in photography. LINK TO BOOK
📗 📘📗
Creative, Inc.: The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business
By Joy Deangdeelert Cho, Meg Mateo Ilasco
As the hipster classic Craft, Inc. did for crafters, this book will teach all types of creatives illustrators, photographers, graphic designers, animators, and more how to build a successful business doing what they love. Freelancing pros Meg Mateo Ilasco and Joy Deangdeelert Cho explain everything from creating a standout portfolio to navigating the legal issues of starting a business. Accessible, spunky, and packed with practical advice, Creative, Inc. is an essential for anyone ready to strike out on their own. LINK TO BOOK
📕 📗 📘
The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results
by Gary Keller (Author), Jay Papasan
YOU WANT LESS. You want fewer distractions and less on your plate. The daily barrage of e-mails, texts, tweets, messages, and meetings distract you and stress you out. The simultaneous demands of work and family are taking a toll. And what’s the cost? Second-rate work, missed deadlines, smaller paychecks, fewer promotions — and lots of stress. AND YOU WANT MORE. You want more productivity from your work. More income for a better lifestyle. You want more satisfaction from life, and more time for yourself, your family, and your friends. NOW YOU CAN HAVE BOTH — LESS AND MORE. WHAT’S YOUR ONE THING? LINK TO BOOK
Managing Oneself
by Peter Drucker
We live in an age of unprecedented opportunity: with ambition, drive, and talent, you can rise to the top of your chosen profession regardless of where you started out. But with opportunity comes responsibility. Companies today aren’t managing their knowledge workers careers. Instead, you must be your own chief executive officer. That means it’s up to you to carve out your place in the world and know when to change course. And it’s up to you to keep yourself engaged and productive during a career that may span some 50 years. In Managing Oneself, Peter Drucker explains how to do it. LINK
BONUS! — — MakerBook:
Makerbook is a hand-picked directory of the best free resources for creatives. It sports some great stuff.
Creators’ Clubhouse is dedicated to empowering Charleston’s creative economy and furthering the success of local makers, producers, artisans, and storytellers by providing employment information, career resources, education, events, and networking opportunities. We aim to make the lives of local employers easier by streamlining the hiring process and creating a more robust database of information on who does what and who does it best.
Originally published at www.creatorsclubhouse.com on July 1, 2015.