You want to start your own creative business, but Googling “How to Freelance” has you feeling overwhelmed. We got you! This course helps you answer "Am I doing this right?” so you can be confident in your process and pricing.
— Tried and true, real-world advice
— Actionable to-do lists
— Templates used by successful professionals
— Slack group for accountability and personalized help
— No fluff for the sake of filling time. Exactly what you need to know, in a succinct, engaging course. Because you're busy: You've got plant ailments to Google, TikToks to binge, and episodes of The Bachelor to hate-watch with loved ones.
"One of the best decisions I made for my creative career since going full-time freelance. 10/10 would recommend."
– Lindsay Stripling,
Illustrator - San Francisco, CA
"Thanks to everything I learned, I met my yearly goals and beyond...the best investment in myself I could have made...”
– Chris Porter
Brand Designer - Memphis, TN
"I just landed my highest paying brand identity job (1/3 of my yearly financial goal) by using all the knowledge absorbed from this amazing course and group!"
– Jordyn Taylor-Robins
Designer - Vancouver, BC
"The knowledge that is shared in the course and community is worth its weight in gold... I recommend it to all my friends."
– Eva Van Der Borght
Designer - Vancouver, BC
The business course by working creatives for working creatives.
With over 10 years running an independent creative studio, we speak from experience.
More bang for your buck.
| Freelance, & Business, & Stuff Course | Avg. 4 Year Public College Course | Avg. 4 Year Private College Course |
|---|---|---|
| $495 😁
$99/mo. for 5 months |
$1,300 3–5 credits per course at $325/credit** |
$4,156 3–5 credits per course at $1,039/credit** |
Sources: (averages based on U.S.)
*US Bureau of Labor Statistics **studentloanhero.com
Freelance, and Business, and Stuff Course Curriculum
You'll learn from start to finish how to freelance and run your own creative studio.
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1
Intro
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Hello and Welcome! (Plus a link to join the Slack)
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PSA: How To Get The Most Out of This Course
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Getting to Know You (Required)
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2
Branding and Positioning
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Branding & Positioning Your Business
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Great Brand Identity Examples
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Name Your Business
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Brand Messaging
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Make a Business Plan
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3
Setting Up Your Business
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Business Structures (USA)
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Registering, Licenses, and Permits
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Collaborator Agreements
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A Team
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Insurance (USA)
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Banking and Accounting
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Resources: Accounting & Financials
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Tax Write Offs / Deductions (USA)
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4
Systems, Procedures, and Streamlining Your Business
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Organizing Your Files
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Client Relationship Management (+Free Templates)
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Project Management (+Free Templates)
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Resources: Project/Client Management
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5
Running a Project, Winning Approvals, and Keeping Clients Happy
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Project Workflow
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Contracts (+Free Template)
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Discovery
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Template: Discovery Deck
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Presenting Work
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Template: Proof Deck Round 1
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6
Budgeting and Income Planning
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Personal Budget - Determining Your Salary
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Making a Business Budget
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Expense Hacks
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Making an Income Plan
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Products and Passive Income
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Ongoing Work and Retainers
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Building Your F* Fund
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Monthly Business Checkup
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7
Pricing, Proposals and Negotiation
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What to Charge? Tackling Pricing
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Hourly Rate
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Flat Rate
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Scale Your Price to the Client Size
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Raising Your Rates
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Create A Proposal
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Template: Project Proposal
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Negotiating Pricing
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Ongoing Work and Retainers (+Retainer Template)
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8
Marketing, Getting Work and Wooing Dream Clients
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Clients are Just Humans
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Getting Clients 101
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Other Creatives as Clients
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Make a Successful Website
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Make Great Case Studies
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Make Your Website Compliant and Accessible
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Making the Work You Want To Get
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Connecting With Dream Clients
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Which Projects to Take On
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Job Boards: To Do or Not to Do?
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Resources: Marketing & Promotion
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9
Resources and Parting Wisdom
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So Long and Good Luck!
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Course Review: Tell Us *Everything*
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Resources: Subcontract or Refer
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Resources: Conferences & Creative Communities
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Resources: Ongoing Education (Creative and Business)
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“It felt like I was given a blueprint to the industry.
This course is for you if you are a:
→ Part time freelancer
If you want to step up your side hustle, this is for you.
→ First-time freelancer
If you aren’t sure where to even start, this is for you.
→ College graduate
If you didn't take Professional Practices, this is for you.
→ Looking to check your work
If you've ever asked, "is this how other entrepreneurs run things? Could I improve my process?" this is for you.
"Between the course, the resources and all the information — I have never learnt so much in a span of such a short time and landed so many clients so soon. I am feeling ecstatic about this new found designer in me! VIRTUAL HUG to you both.”
– Amber Arshad
Designer and Illustrator - Karachi, Pakistan
"This class is hands down the best decision I’ve made for my design business. The value is above and beyond what you’d expect for the price. I just landed my first 5-figure job this past month! I’ve also connected with many other fantastic creative entrepreneurs in the Slack channel. Sign up now, you won’t regret it.”
– Becky C.
Brand Designer - Boston, MA
"...the Slack channel alone is worth the price of the course.”
– Chris von Burske
Creative Director - Denver, CO
to support under-served communities and students at-risk of academic failure due to poverty or trauma.
FAQs
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Is this freelance course for all kinds of creatives?
The principles for starting and running a successful business are pretty universal, so this course will be largely applicable to any kind of visual creative. Whether you want to know how to be a freelance graphic designer, how to start a freelance motion design business, or otherwise, this will apply to most creatives. We ourselves are brand, type and illustration designers, so our personal experience might sway more to that perspective. But past attendees have included photographers, videographers, illustrators, brand designers, digital designers, type designers, motion designers, 3D designers and even a writer.
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Is this only for US residents?
Most of the course will apply to anyone living anywhere. "Setting up your business" and "Licenses and permits" are the only lessons specific to US business practices, but we also give you advice on how to find the information for your own country. We have students from Canada, Austria, the UK, Pakistan, and South America.