Category Archives: Managing projects and people

Going on hiatus: How to take a vacation from your business (without losing any business)

One of the big reasons you started your creative business was so you’d have more freedom, right? Me too! Yet the reality is we all too often burn the midnight oil, work on weekends, and generally think about our work non-stop. It’s not you, it’s the nature of the beast. Unless you actively create structure, boundaries, and support, you WILL be at the mercy of your clients and business. You just will. But that’s not how we do things around…

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How to work less and make more

Having worked with creative business owners and freelancers for more than 15 years, I’ve learned that the path to entrepreneurship is rarely straight.  Many of us (myself included) fell into entrepreneurship and never went back; some were pushed via a layoff, and a scant few knew entrepreneurship was for them and had a plan. Is it any wonder the holy grail of entrepreneurship, the freedom to choose whom you work for, when, and for how much, feels like a pipe…

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Structure your day, free your mind

Image: Time Gate by Arne Quinze and Formavision As a business coach for creative professionals, I specialize in working with people who are in a place of transition. Some are making the leap from corporate to independent business owners, while others are ready to do whatever it takes to grow their existing business and position themselves more effectively to higher-quality, better-paying clients.   I’ve come to believe that a successful creative business is a blend of (a) great product or…

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How to say “No” to clients

By Justine Clay Do you remember when you first went freelance or opened your creative business? You took every job that came your way, right?  I know I did.  In the beginning, it makes sense. You need to make money, build your client base and get really good at your craft by doing it.  But there comes a tipping point when saying “Yes” to everything starts to hurt your business.  You start to feel resentful, tired and about as creative…

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The ONE thing you need to do to succeed

Do you know what makes me really happy (besides dark chocolate and a good cup of coffee)? Witnessing a creative professional’s transformation from confusion to clarity as they align with their unique talent and build the business of their dreams. Through my coaching work with creative entrepreneurs, I’ve learned there are many reasons for not fulfilling our potential, but there is ONE thing that is absolutely vital to turning things around: Implementation I’d like to shine a light on two…

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How to master the art of creative collaboration

by Justine Clay   What’s the difference between a great idea and producing strategic, dynamic creative solutions that resonate with your target audience?  Execution.  Whether you’re a freelance art director working on a project-by-project basis, or creative director of an agency or in-house team, your success depends upon great collaborators that will help you make your ideas a reality. Budget and time are always an issue, so how can you build a creative team that will optimize your results?  Here…

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How to be Persistent Without Being a Pest

By Justine Clay Freelancers and entrepreneurs need a well-developed “hustle muscle.” Simply hanging your shingle and expecting clients to beat down your door won’t cut it, so what’s a humble creative to do?  Whether you want to stay top of mind with an ideal client or grab the attention of an agent or headhunter, being persistent is key.  But persistence (like hustling) has a bit of a bad rap.  We want to be liked—not thought of as a pest—so we…

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How to manage projects, clients and still find time for your creative work

By Justine Clay      Why did you decide to become a freelancer in the first place?  I’m willing to bet that having creative freedom ranked pretty high on the list of pros.  Am I right?  But managing projects, and dealing with client requests often means you end up doing everything but the creative work. Getting bogged down with managing multiple projects can leave you frustrated and tapped-out. So how do you carve out the time do your own creative…

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