Creative, Inc. audiobook cover - The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business

Creative, Inc.

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business

Meg Mateo Ilasco and Joy Deangdeelert Cho

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Categories:
CreativityPersonal DevelopmentCareer & Success

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Creative, Inc.
Branding & Identity+
Portfolio Development+
Business & Legal Foundations+
Marketing & Advertising+
Client Management+
Pricing & Finances+
Working with Agents+
Work-Life Balance+
Future Growth & Reflection+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 10
Why might a freelance creative want to avoid using their own name as their business name?
  • A. It requires special commercial licenses that are expensive to obtain.
  • B. It can cause complications if they plan to collaborate or if they share a name with an established brand.
  • C. Clients tend to perceive eponymous businesses as less professional and trustworthy.
  • D. It prevents them from setting up a dedicated business bank account.
Question 2 of 10
According to the book, what is a primary benefit of keeping your professional portfolio strictly up-to-date?
  • A. It allows you to automatically charge a higher hourly rate for newer pieces.
  • B. It proves to clients that you work quickly and can handle tight deadlines.
  • C. It accurately reflects your current style, preventing clients from requesting work you no longer enjoy producing.
  • D. It satisfies the legal requirements for maintaining a freelance business license.
Question 3 of 10
When starting out as a freelancer and trying to save money, what does the book suggest you should absolutely NOT scrounge on?
  • A. High-end office equipment and specialized software.
  • B. Legalities such as taxes, insurance, and business licenses.
  • C. A premium office space to impress potential clients.
  • D. Hiring a professional web designer for your portfolio site.
Question 4 of 10
What specific advice does agent Lilla Rogers give regarding a freelancer's website?
  • A. It should feature complex animations to demonstrate technical skill.
  • B. It should include every piece of work the creative has ever produced.
  • C. It must impress immediately, as agents typically only have time to stay for two or three clicks.
  • D. It should primarily consist of a detailed blog about the creative's personal life.
Question 5 of 10
How should a new freelancer approach taking on clients, according to the text?
  • A. Accept every job offered to quickly build a large portfolio.
  • B. Target the largest corporations first to establish a high-profile reputation.
  • C. Focus on smaller companies where their input will make a bigger difference.
  • D. Only accept jobs that require no formal contract to avoid legal complications.
Question 6 of 10
What strategy does the book recommend for making the client feedback process more effective?
  • A. Presenting clients with a few different options at each step to keep them involved.
  • B. Asking the client to wait until the final reveal to provide any opinions.
  • C. Requiring clients to submit all feedback through a formal legal representative.
  • D. Refusing to alter the initial design to maintain your creative integrity.
Question 7 of 10
When calculating your baseline hourly fee, the book notes that you must account for taxes. What percentage of net business income can taxes claim?
  • A. 10 to 15 percent
  • B. 15 to 25 percent
  • C. 25 to 48 percent
  • D. 50 to 65 percent
Question 8 of 10
What is identified as a potential advantage of choosing NOT to work with a talent agent?
  • A. You gain automatic access to exclusive trade shows like Surtex.
  • B. You maintain more control over client relationships and keep 100 percent of your profits.
  • C. You avoid the need to draft contracts or manage administrative tasks.
  • D. You are legally protected from clients who refuse to pay their invoices.
Question 9 of 10
To sustain creative energy and prevent workaholism, the authors suggest creating boundaries. Which of the following is a recommended method for doing this?
  • A. Working exclusively on weekends to keep weekdays free.
  • B. Taking on a business partner to handle all creative tasks.
  • C. Maintaining a physical boundary by separating your workspace from your living space.
  • D. Deleting all social media accounts and blogs to avoid distractions.
Question 10 of 10
According to the book, how should a freelancer view the decision to return to full-time employment after a few years of running their own business?
  • A. They should view it as a failure in the commercial world.
  • B. They should expect to start at the bottom of the corporate ladder.
  • C. They should view it as a perfectly reasonable choice that is supported by a wealth of new business experience.
  • D. They should legally dissolve their brand before they are allowed to apply for jobs.

Creative, Inc. — Full Chapter Overview

Creative, Inc. Summary & Overview

Creative, Inc. (2010) provides a handy step-by-step guide to setting up and running a freelance business. Clearly structured and packed with tips on everything from advertising and agents to portfolios and pricing, this is an indispensable guide for those considering turning their artistic talents into a freelance career.

Who Should Listen to Creative, Inc.?

  • People who want to leverage their creative skills into a freelance business
  • Creative freelancers who want to earn more

About the Author: Meg Mateo Ilasco and Joy Deangdeelert Cho

Meg Mateo Ilasco set up her freelance business Mateo Ilasco in 2005, specializing in housewares, gifts and stationery. She has written several other books including Craft, Inc., and runs the Modern Economy multi-designer sample sales.

Joy Deangdeelert Cho launched her business, Oh Joy!, in 2005. Her designs for textiles, packaging and branding are snapped up by clients in the fashion and food world. She also markets her own line of stationery nationwide, as well as keeping an award-winning blog.

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