Entrepreneurship for Creative People

By Donald Roos & Anne de Bruijn

Published by BIS Publishers   ISBN 978 90 6369 537 8

Review by Derek Brazell

We’re not in a great time for employment, and support for freelancers hasn’t been the same as it has been for employed workers. So anyone who is striking out on their own, or already someway down the self-employed road may need some encouragement that it is all possible, and could find this book useful.

Although aimed at a broad range of creative entrepreneurs, illustrators will recognise much of what is proposed, and the ‘can-do’ attitude of the writing may well give the impetus to take the suggested actions. It examines what the ‘Why’ of your project/aims is; setting goals; the customer journey, competitors;what your USP is and more.

Motivational quotes are interspersed throughout, commenting on business, sustainability and what to learn from. How what you may be doing with your project may impact the planet is foregrounded, with a theme of best practice running throughout.

‘Focus’ is emphasised, and this is good advice, especially when applied to a business plan, as illustrators are less inclined to assess where they’d like the next year or two to take them. Fees are covered, although in a way that is less relevant to how illustration is priced, but still useful advice as it includes responding to clients who keep trying to get you to undercut quotes.

Illustrators looking for a boost on the business side of their artistic career will find this easy to follow book an engaging pick-me-up guide.