Episode 37. Creative Entrepreneurs

EPISODE 37: In this episode of the Creative Spark podcast, we explore nine different ways graphic designers can become Creative Entrepreneurs and add multiple new revenue streams.

The prevalence of the desktop computer, freely available fonts, digital tools and templates, not to mention competition from a global marketplace, has meant that traditional graphic design roles have been undercut and undervalued.

Conversely, the prevalence of the internet, social media and online marketing allowing graphic design graduates with an entrepreneurial mindset to flourish in ways their business school counterparts have not. This combination of design skills and entrepreneurial mindset positions creative professionals to flourish in the future of work.

“The world is embarking on a new age. The age of the entrepreneur, the agile small business owner, the flexible innovator. The days of the industrial age are over”

—Daniel Priestly

Over the last 16 years as a design educator, I have witnessed the job satisfaction of my graphic design graduates head into severe decline. In 2013, I founded the Typism online community to empower my design graduates to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset.

Through the subsequent conference, memberships, and publications, I have established strong networks of creative entrepreneurs around the globe, and I have also mentored groups of graphic design graduates through the process of productising their skills. From this experience, I continue to learn new ways creatives can apply their skill sets to making money online. The digital marketing landscape changes every six months, and it has been quite a journey keeping up with all the changes.

The primary issue currently facing the design industry is that most graphic designers continue to operate under the fee-for-service business model, even though there are clear signs that entire chunks of their core business can be outsourced for cheaper.

I am on a mission to 
help creatives become 
Creative Entrepreneurs, and the best place to start is for graphic designers to consider new business models.

In todays podcast episode, you will discover:

• Why creatives should think like creative entrepreneurs

• How to create multiple streams of income

• Why your focus should be on serving first

• How to get started with an online business

• Strategies for monetising your expertise

• How to focus on serving customers, not clients

• The importance of moving away from a service model.

Resources from this episode

• Pat Flynn Smart Passive Income
• Lucy Feagin The Design Files
• Creative Market, Zazzle, Kickstarter and Printful
• Apple and Spotify
• Teachable and Kajabi
• Vimeo and YouTube 

• Camille Nathania: blogging
• Jess Williams: coaching
• Aurelie Maron: online courses
• Nora Fikse: digital products
• Skye Smith: physical products
• Alejandra Ramirez Vidal: podcasting
• Matt Littlewood: vlogging
• Jasmine Dowling: influencer

• Ready to start your entrepreneurship journey? Start by finding your Perfect Niche