Wow! In any given month, owning your own business means coming in early on a Monday to vacuum the leased space so you don’t make too much noise for your fellow leasers downstairs, filling the fridge with 4 o’clock a.m and p.m munchies, negotiating an employee’s vacation time, checking to see where that freelancer is at 9:30 a.m., fighting bogus charges from your last landlord, estimating on a job you know you won’t get, educating a client on the differences between vector and bitmap and sitting on Lynda.com to brush up on the software you will never get good at because you own your own business and crap has to get done.
I can’t emphasize enough that running a multimedia business has about as much to do with creativity as a new president has to do with fixing the economy… NONE!
Get good at or pay the bucks to have an office manager. Pay that astronomical legal fee to have your leasing contracts and any other “contracts” read. Use professionals. That means an Accountant for accounting, an Electrician for dimmers and switches, and a real IT person for your network and server. Keep your employees happy with good food, gallons of coffee, fast computers and up-to-date software. Be nice and make friends with your fellow neighbors—they are as much a part of your office as the people that work for you. Learn advance communication and directing. Take up psychology as a hobby. Be studious in your own craft. Appreciate that “down time” means clean, organize, fix, learn, study, take long lunches, get sleep, see your family and relax. Know that next week you might be working those 80 hours again.
Remember to look over your shoulder while you’re running to catch that pass but to spot what’s in front of you so you don’t run into the goal post. Keep your nose in everything even if you don’t understand. Constantly question, to double check and to learn from, the professionals you use—that means your employees, too. If you’re still having fun, it’s all worth it. Be proud of what you’ve accomplished and know that success is freedom to take your own path.
April 12th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I still want to know how to connect my art(illustration) with writers. Thankyou
June 9th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Use a reputable print and internet publication to advertise or post your portfolio. There are hundreds and they can be expensive. I can’t say I’ve had very good luck with any of them. All our jobs have come from word of mouth or our web site. Research and read forums on opinions from other people on what they use. You can also create a solid html site for yourself and showcase your artwork for a lot less. It’ll take longer to generate business but it beats paying $4000 for a page amongst hundred and paying a few hundred for a place amongst thousands. Good luck and be patient.