YOU’RE GREAT AT DOING CREATIVE WORK. RUNNING A BUSINESS?

THAT’S DIFFERENT.

You don’t need to figure it out alone.

You love the creative work. The pricing, the clients, the feast-or-famine cycle—that’s where things get hard.

READY TO FINALLY MAKE YOUR CREATIVE PASSION PAY THE BILLS?

HERE’S THE THING: I never planned to be a business owner. I stumbled into freelancing, figured it out the hard way, and built something I still want to show up for. This book is what I wished I’d had at the start.

I’m Amy, a graphic designer with over 20 years of freelance experience. I’m here to help you navigate the journey with practical, been-there-done-that advice on finding clients, managing money, doing amazing work, and building a business you’ll actually love running.

IS THIS BOOK FOR YOU?

Good Work! is for you if:

This book is for for all kinds of creative folks—illustrators, photographers, graphic designers, brand strategists, creative directors, storyboard artists, game designers, exhibit designers, podcasters, voiceover artists, environmental designers, calligraphers, tattoo artists, product designers, fashion designers, glass + metal artists, sculptors, woodworkers, product designers, editorial designers, interior designers, UX/UI designers, musicians, artists, painters, bloggers, filmmakers, social media marketers, textile designers, videographers, animators, packaging designers, typographers, architects, writers, web developers, and anyone else trying to balance making cool stuff with running a viable business.

Every page is packed with actionable guidance from someone who’s navigated the same challenges you’re facing, enriched with real stories from diverse creative entrepreneurs who’ve built businesses on their own terms.

This is the book you keep within arm’s reach when you need to handle a difficult client conversation, finally raise your rates, or remember why you chose this beautifully complicated path in the first place.

what you’ll find inside

A sustainable creative freelance business is built through consistent practice, not breakthrough moments. These six principles are the ones you return to throughout your career—not just when you’re starting out.

GOOD FOUNDATION

The Reality Check: Honest talk about whether self-employment is really right for you (before you quit your day job!)
Work That Lights You Up: How to identify and focus on projects that leverage your strengths and keep you engaged
Dream Client Clarity: Techniques for defining who you actually want to work with (because clients shape your daily experience)
Schedule for Success: Creating working hours that match your natural productivity rhythms and personal life needs
Brand Beginnings: Simple steps to start defining your brand identity and essential marketing materials

good rhythm

Boundary Setting 101: Establishing clear personal and professional limits that protect your wellbeing
Professional Presence: Small but mighty ways to signal credibility and build trust from day one
Contracts Made Simple: Why every project needs one and how to create agreements that actually protect you
The Overdelivery Trap: Why “underpromise and overdeliver” might be sabotaging your business (and what to do instead)
Celebrating Small Wins: Building momentum and maintaining motivation by acknowledging your progress

good clients

Permission to Be Picky: How to identify and attract dream clients who value your expertise and respect your process
Red Flag Radar: Spotting warning signs in initial client interactions before you’re in too deep, and getting out when they're not a good fit
Strategic Visibility: Figuring out where your ideal clients are, and showing up where they already hang out (online and offline)
Content That Connects: Creating valuable resources that showcase your expertise and attract perfect-fit clients without hard selling
RFP Navigation: When to pursue opportunities you have a chance of winning, and when to walk away from requests for proposals

good money

Pricing With Confidence: Calculating your rates based on your expenses, experience, and industry standards (and what you want to earn!)
Hourly Rates vs. Project Fees: Finding the pricing structure that works best for your specific creative services and your market
Value Conversations: How to have easy money discussions with clients in ways that focus on outcomes and value, not just costs
Strategic Pro Bono: Making unpaid or volunteer work serve your business goals without becoming a financial drain
Painless Payment Systems: Setting up invoicing routines that get you paid faster and more consistently, including requiring deposits, handling late payments, and setting payment terms that work for you

good work

Client Service Sweet Spot: Exceeding expectations without sacrificing your boundaries or profitability
The Power of “I’ll Find Out”: Building trust through honesty when you don’t have all the answers
Saying No to Grow: Using strategic refusals to create space for better opportunities, and referring work to colleagues that benefits everyone
Decision-Maker Access: Getting all the right people in the room to avoid project derailments
Feedback That Works: Soliciting and giving input that actually improves outcomes rather than creating confusion

good growth

Working ON Your Business: Dedicated strategies for improving your operations and growing your business, not just delivering client work
Automation That Helps: Identifying repetitive tasks you can systematize to free up creative energy
Delegation Demystified: Knowing when and how to bring in help (even if you’re a committed solo practitioner)
Backup Plan Basics: Preparing for the unexpected so one crisis doesn’t derail your entire business
Sustainable Self-Care: Practical approaches to preventing burnout and maintaining long-term creative energy

and more!

AVAILABLE NOW!

Twenty years of experience, lessons learned, and proven strategies—all in a practical guide to help you build the creative freelance business you’ve always wanted.

Available in ebook, audio book, paperback and hardcover formats. Order your copy today!