Creatives: Recommended Books

Boldt, Laurence. Zen and the Art of Making a Living: A Practical Guide to Creative Career Design. New York: Penguin, 1998.

This 600-page resource guide for creative career changers integrates it all from information about Zen and mythic archetypes to conventional materials about writing a resume. Boldt's premise is that everyone is an artist in his or her own life. The book contains thought-provoking exercises to help the reflective person discover work that will be deeply satisfying. The margins are full of designs and quotes from Zen masters, Joseph Campbell, William Blake, and other spiritual and creative spirits. EMPLOYMENT FOCUS.

Eikleberry, Carol, The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People, Ten Speed Press: Berkely, CA. 1999.

Eikelberry offers a realistic and novel approach to the creative person seeking career satisfaction. She understands the odds: for every seven artistic people in the job market, there is only one artistic job. Her book gives the job seeker tools to compete wisely and to look at creative alternatives such as self-employment. Lists 240 creative job titles. EMPLOYMENT FOCUS

Foote, Cameron, The Business Side of Creativity. New York: Norton & Co., 2002.

The subtitle of this practical book is "A complete guide to running a small graphic design or communication business." The step-by-step approach to pricing, financial record keeping, taxes, selling, and marketing is really applicable to any creative freelance business. FREELANCE FOCUS

Levinson, Jay Conrad, Guerrilla Marketing: Secrets for Making Big Profits from Your Small Business. Boston: Mariner Books. 1998.

Ever since I started my private practice as a career counselor (i.e., my small business), I have relied on Levinson's seven-sentence formula for a marketing plan. I highly recommend it for all of my freelance clients: FREELANCE FOCUS.

1. The first sentence tells the purpose of the strategy.
2. The second tells how you'll achieve this purpose, focusing on your benefits.
3. The third tells your target market or markets.
4. The fourth, the longest sentence, tells the marketing weapons you'll employ.
5. The fifth tells your niche.
6. The sixth tells your identity/image.
7. The seventh tells your budget.

Lloyd, Carol. Creating a Life Worth Living: A Practical Course in Career Design for Artists, Innovators, and Others Aspiring to a Creative Life. NY: Harper Collins, 1997.

Lloyd's work takes on the challenge of providing practical advice to those who choose the proverbial unpracticed career goal - to make a living as writers, artists, filmmakers, musicians, and dancers. She takes the reader through the entire process, from dream clarification through techniques for implementation on a daily basis. Motivation is added by frank interviews with contemporary artists of all stripes. EMPLOYMENT OR FREELANCE FOCUS

Edwards, Paul and Sarah, Getting Business to Come to You. Penguin Putnam Inc, 1998.

You're not in business until you have business. This books is a complete do-it-yourself guide to attracting all the business you can enjoy.

Web Resources for Creatives

www.craigslist.org This legendary Bay-Area based web site recently added a Portland section. While the job and resource listings for Portland aren't as exhaustive as those posted for the Bay Area, you will find here the most complete list of creative jobs in the area. Craigslist Discussion Forums provide a venue to ask for free feedback: So, how long did it take you to get Quickbooks going for your freelance business? So, does anyone know a good proofreader who will barter for a massage?)

www.veronikanoize.com/ Veronika Noize is fun, funny, and knows marketing inside-out. Her website is rich with practical tools for marketing applicable to freelancers in all areas.

www.allfreelancework.com/newsletter A free online newsletter for freelancers in all fields. Article samples: Creating a Home Office on a Budget, Keeping Your Business's Finances on Track, and a directory to other online freelance resources.

www.aspow.com Association of Solo Professionals on the Web. Instant access to resources, tools, articles, how-to's, tutorials, a complete marketing rolodex, support, and networking opportunities for growing your professional independent practice.

www.e911.com Marketing guru James Lukaszewski has tons of information about getting business and keeping clients. There are downloadable files in his "Articles & Monographs" section.

www.kathienelson.com Kathie Nelson is a networking guru and has several helpful networking tips on her website.

Portland Creative Professional Associations

Most of the following organizations provide web resources, free or inexpensive programs, and gathering places ideal for networking. CONNECT PORTLAND provides a more comprehensive directory of professional organizations in the Portland aea.
See www.careersinbalance.com/networking.

Graphic Artists Guild (GAG) www.gag.org/Portland Graphic artists of every profession (illustrators, graphic designers, cartoonists, computer artists, photographers) are welcome to join the Guild. Web site includes links to job banks and other job resources for creatives.

Oregon Media Production Association (OMPA) www.ompa.org OMPA is an association of professionals working in film, video, and new media. OMPA also has an active newsletter, meetings, and a comprehensive directory of local resources in the field.

Pint of Portland www.pint.org Known as the Pint, this informal organization was formed at the height of the web frenzy to provide leads and social opportunities. Online professionals used to gather at a local bar or restaurant, now, the focus is on online discussions and exchanges.

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) www.prsa-portland.org PRSA has a rich array of professional development activities, at both the national and local levels. PRSA has a broad definition of public relations professionals, so many programs are relevant to all creatives. The atmosphere is welcoming and many programs are free.

Self-employed Creative Professionals (SECP) www.ociabc.org SECP provides monthly meetings, generally from 11:30 a.m.until 1:00 p.m. Topics are designed for freelance writers, graphic designers, multimedia professionals, etc. Vicki Lind, the program chair, has recently recruited speakers on marketing materials, the psychology of working alone, making effective presentations, and networking.

Wired Women Web www.wiredwomenweb.com This organization is committed to the personal and career growth of women in the technology sector. Monthly meetings feature topics relevant to women in other creative and technical fields. The welcoming atmosphere make the meetings and events excellent places to network.