Creative Truth

Brad Weaver is a Managing Partner & Director of Design at Nine Labs. He founded Suckerpunch in 2007 which merged with Nine Labs in 2014. Previously, he worked on the development of early Mobile and Online Media programs at Verizon Wireless. He works with clients including GE, Pirelli, AT&T, ESPN, Disney, Columbia Records, NATO, The PGA, Coca-Cola, UnitedHealth Group, Macy's, and Hard Rock Café on User Experience and Branding projects.

Chapter 1



Full Measures: The Creative Business Mindset



Follow Your Passion, Fall Off a Cliff



Business in The Front, Creative in The Back



It’s No Longer a Hobby



Another Creative Business? Really?



Chapter 2



Rookie of the Year: Pushing the Start Button



How to Start



When to Start



Who You Need (Your Services Army)



Where to Start (Finding a Home)



The Truth About Starting



What You Actually Need–The Minimal Starter List



Chapter 3



The Hunt: Sales, Marketing, and Getting Client Work



Getting Clients



Two Sides of Marketing: Inbound & Outbound



Building the Machine



How to Sell Creative Services



Your Online Presence



The Geometry of Business: Targeted Vertical & Horizontal Marketing



Quick Marketing Tips



Chapter 4



Basic Rocket Science: Pricing Your Work



Building a Pricing Strategy



Finding Your Shop Rate & Knowing What You Need



Raising Your Rates



Pricing Model 1: Hourly Billing



Pricing Model 2: Project-based & Flat-fee Pricing



Pricing Model 3: Value-based Pricing



Pricing Model 4: Retainer Pricing



Pricing Model 5: Package Pricing



Pricing Model 6: Performance-based Pricing



Pricing Model 7: Equity Pricing



Additional Pricing Factors



Chapter 5



Home Economics: Getting Paid–Contracts, Operations, and Billing



Proposals



Contracts



Working For Free



Documents



Getting Paid–Invoicing, Billing, & Collections



Cash Flow



Chapter 6



A Very Delicate Matter: Managing Client Expectations



Setting Client Expectations



Communications & Project Management



Client Revisions & Scope Creep



Copyright & Intellectual Property



Long-term Client Relationships



When Things Go South



Chapter 7



Done is Better Than Perfect: Doing the Work



Just Ship It



Imposter Syndrome



Procrastination



Scheduling & Time Management



Delegation



Side Projects



Chapter 8



The Art of Discourse: Community, Collaboration, and Showering Regularly



Avoid Isolation



Build Relationships



Build an Audience



Build Bridges



Build Collaborations



Chapter 9



No Time Like the Future: Growing Your Creative Business



Freelancers vs. Employees



Hiring Help



Scaling



Partnerships & Mergers



Office Space



Failure is an option



Chapter 10



Taking a Break from All Your Worries: This Creative Life



Mind



Body



Stop Being Busy



Burnout



Embrace the ups and downs



About That Courage



Go and Grow