Small Business Resources

Here’s where you’ll find posts on creative as a business; for and about running your own small company and succeeding in today’s world. Look for advice on pricing your services, legal issues with intellectual property and copyright, plus tips on self-promotion, finding new clients and dealing with difficult and/or slow-paying clients.


The Soul of Freelancing

FREE Webinar May 14 at 6:30 p.m. Freelancing. Working for yourself. Life as a Creative Professional. You’ve heard all about it, and maybe even have got some tips on how to DO it. But what kind of person do you have to BE to work for yourself? To be able to hunt down projects, know … Continue reading

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Sales for Creatives

FREE Webinar April 16 at noon Advanced Basics for Creative Businesses, Program 4 We are all selling; that is, we are continually trying to influence and persuade others through our communications and actions. Selling yourself is an essential and positive part of any creative business.  Truth is, selling is becoming increasingly necessary and a real … Continue reading

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Sharpening Your Social Media Profile

For Members Only Program A joint program by Chicago Creative Coalition and the Independent Writers of Chicago Telling Your Story | Sharpening Your Brand Profile  How long has it been since you updated your social media profile? Today, you can’t afford to let it sit with outdated, dusty information — because it’s the first place … Continue reading

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Building and Preserving Your Brand in COVID-19 Times

Webinar Featuring LinkedIn Expert JD Gershbein A joint program hosted by Chicago Creative Coalition and the Independent Writers of Chicago These trying times are a challenge, but one that is filled with opportunities for those willing to remain flexible and embrace the positive. As business has gone virtual, more and more professionals have turned to … Continue reading

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Communicate Your Value

Advanced Basics for Creative Businesses, Program 2 Every creative has something special to offer their prospective clients, something they do better or differently than their peers. How do you best communicate that to prospective clients, so they can see the value to them in hiring you? Our speaker, Chicago photographer Alex Garcia, has been on … Continue reading

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Create a Meaningful Business Plan

Advanced Basics for Creative Businesses, Program 1 As creatives, we’re special, right? We’re content makers and risk takers; lucky to be doing the thing we love as our job, but with so much of our selves in our work, often feel cut to the bone at the merest of criticisms. We’re so special we often … Continue reading

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ASMP Chicago/Midwest Strictly Business 2020

Strictly Business is a one-day photography conference that brings together experts in the field to focus on best business practices and so much more. Working collaboratively with speakers ranging from mindfulness specialists, commercial and editorial photographers, and leaders in Chicago’s photography industry, join us for engaging sessions where speakers share their career expertise while sparking conversations and … Continue reading

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Social Media Elevated

Nothing elevates your brand’s social media presence quite like video — and the higher the quality the better the results. If you’re a content provider, agency creative, brand manager or anyone looking to ramp up your image, you’ll want to join Chicago Creative Coalition and our panel of social media gurus at Zacuto Studios on … Continue reading

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Creative Collaboration in a Gig Economy

What does it mean to collaborate? “Going it alone” doesn’t mean we don’t need partners. It just means we need partners we can trust, who “get” our process, and that we can work with on a two-way street: someone who knows how to fill the gaps perfectly. But how do we find the best people … Continue reading

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Master Your Inner Game

note: This is the third of three programs in Chicago Creative Coalition’s RE-Presenting Yourself series. It is a rare individual who can go into a presentation – whether to an individual or a large audience – without any anxiety.   Carolyn Potts, former photo rep and current creative consultant will expand on the talk she … Continue reading

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