out on your own - starting your own design business - ten tips to avoid total disaster
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'Starting Your Own Design Business - Ten Tips To Avoid Total Disaster' was presented in April 2014 as part of an event titled 'Out On Your Own' run by AGDA (Australian Graphic Design Association). In trying to assemble my own thoughts into something that could be broadly termed coherent, I followed the tried and tested path of preparing a list of wisdom-nuggets; some obvious, perhaps some less so. Many were learned from starting up The Nest four years ago, some from being part of the startup crew of Sydney indie media organisation FBi, and a couple from my stint as Executive Producer of the first Creative Sydney festival (now known as Vivid Ideas). You can also read a detailed blog post on this subject at http://stuartbuchanan.com/starting-design-business-heres-ten-ways-avoid-total-disaster/TRANSCRIPT
AGDA / 09.04.14 !
Out On Your Own.
wearethenest.com
!Stuart Buchanan CEO, The Nest
AGDA / 09.04.14 !
Out On Your Own.
wearethenest.com
!Stuart Buchanan CEO, The Nest!!formerly General Manager, FBi Radio
AGDA / 09.04.14 !
Out On Your Own.
wearethenest.com
!Stuart Buchanan CEO, The Nest!!formerly General Manager, FBi Radio Executive Producer, Creative Sydney
AGDA / 09.04.14 !
Out On Your Own.
wearethenest.com
!Stuart Buchanan CEO, The Nest!!formerly General Manager, FBi Radio Executive Producer, Creative Sydney Founder, New Weird Australia
1/13. !
Who cares?
wearethenest.com
!Be honest with yourself, and ask whether there are people out there who really need what you do.
2/13. !
Are you good at anything?
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!Consider whether you’re a Generalist or a Specialist.
3/13. !
Is there profit in your passion?
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!Can you marry passion and business, and be sure there’s profitable work out there for the taking?
4/13. !
Can you start tomorrow?
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!Are there clients waiting for you? Have projects in hand before you start, to ensure you have a minimum cashflow.
5/13. !
Is there a future for you?
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!Is your speciality sustainable? Think about whats ahead and make sure you can get there. Collaborate and partner up to reach your destination.
6/13. !
Do you need to stay local?
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!Where is your playing field? Look further afield - geography need not be a barrier. Who else can help you to grow your boundaries?
7/13. !
Who can you trust?
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!Who are you going to work with? Think about who you can rely on and confide in, and hire them.
8/13. !
Can you manage a business?
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!Are you a business manager? Consider a second in command.
9/13. !
Can you sell your services?
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!Are you any good at sales? Consider a sales person or new business manager.
10/13. !
Can you handle clients?
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!Are you good at client management? Consider a client services manager.
11/13. !
Who’s the boss?
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!Does everyone know what they are supposed to be doing? Establish clear hierarchy and job descriptions.
12/13. !
What the f**k is going on?
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!How do you know if its working? Projects take longer than you think - always keep track of time and analyse every job after completion.
13/13. !
How can you be successful?
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!Be honest, don’t be an asshole.
AGDA / 09.04.14 !
Out On Your Own.
wearethenest.com
!Stuart Buchanan CEO, The Nest !Home. wearethenest.com Blog. stuartbuchanan.com Twitter. @stuartbuchanan Instagram. stuartbuchanan