Start and Run a Creative Services Business

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Energy surges off every page as Susan Kirkland shares her considerable
expertise as a self-employed freelance creative designer.

The book is rich with examples from the author’s own business
experiences. The full measure of practical advice on what it takes to
succeed as an independent in the competitive creative-services
environment is helped along by a fast-paced style and a great sense of
humour.

Although the book will be useful to freelance writers and
photographers, Kirkland is a graphics designer/illustrator and most of
the content is drawn from the field of producing logos, letterhead, ads,
posters, brochures, and other corporate literature. Other creatives will
need to translate her examples for their field.

Kirkland covers the selection of electronic equipment and software, the
importance of detailed knowledge of printing processes, marketing
creative services, building a portfolio, customer service, and
strategies for generating ongoing cash flow. Approximately one-third of
the book is devoted to the topic of financial survival. This includes
ways to spot customers who are not likely to pay, collecting overdue
invoices, bankruptcy, and dealing with “scoundrels and scalawags,
piranhas and barracudas.” There are both U.S. and Canadian references
throughout and an extensive appendix of relevant websites.