Creative Girl: The Ultimate Guide for Turning Talent and Creativity into a Real Career

by Katharine Sise

Overview

If there's no stability in the corporate world, why not do what you love? Creative Girl shows women how to turn their talents into a money-making career -- smartly. Whether readers are just tapping into their creativity and want to see where it takes them, or if they're already making a creative living and know it's time to grab hold of the next level of success, this book has specific advice for women at varying stages.

Author Katharine Sise has certainly "walked the walk" of a creative entrepreneur, as she created her own jewelry line that has won the praise of celebrities and the fashion world. Here she provides ideas for sparking one's creative talent (through meditating and journaling), and narrowing down what career lifestyle is right for each reader. She also shares insider tips on the realities of navigating a creative career and handling a business -- such as how to brand yourself and how to build a platform and garner publicity. Katharine debunks the myth of the "starving artist" and shows how one can turn inspiration into a profitable livelihood.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780762441617
Publisher:	Running Press Book Publishers
Publication date:	08/24/2010
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Katharine Sise created her eponymous jewelry line in 2004, and was soon after called a "designer to watch" by Lucky magazine. A favorite among Hollywood celebrities, her jewelry has been featured in major fashion magazines such as Vogue, W, Elle, InStyle, and Glamour, and she co-hosts her own show on the Home Shopping Network, which maintains millions of viewers. Katharine lives in New York, NY.

Table of Contents

Introduction 6

Part 1 Creative Girl 11

Chapter 1 The Welcome Packet 12

Millions of creative careers already exist. You're going to add to that number.

Chapter 2 You Are Here 20

Take a breath, understand the value of the present, and create daily.

Chapter 3 Where Is My Creative Happy Place? 24

You've got options, creative girl.

Chapter 4 Seriously, How Talented Are You? 36

Face the music and assess your talent.

Chapter 5 Does This Cubicle Make My Butt Look Fat? Find a More Flattering Fit 46

Evaluate your current situation and plan your next career move.

Chapter 6 Can't Quit Your Stink-o Job Just Yet? 64

Job makeover strategies and interim survival guide

Chapter 7 The Fear Chart 82

You're about to quit your job, change careers, or start a business. Get ready to face your fears.

Part 2 Get Where You Want to Go 93

Chapters 8 The 9 to 5 Creative Girl 94

Polish your résumé, write a cover letter, network like a superstar, and find your dream job.

Chapter 9 I Want You to Want Me 114

Nail the interview and negotiate the job offer.

Chapter 10 You Got the job: Now, Work It 132

The keys to getting promotions and more creative control

Chapter 11 Self-Employed Wonder Girl 144

Do you have what it takes to work for yourself?

Chapter 12 Birth the Creative Baby 158

Get started as a freelancer or entrepreneur.

Chapter 13 The Small Business Game Plan 186

You need a business plan. Write it with a purple marker on flowered stationery or oil on canvas-but get to it.

Chapter 14 Set up Shop 206

From websites and interns to tips for the organizationally challenged

Chapter 15 Too Legit to Quit 224

Small business licenses, insurance, and paying Uncle Sam and Aunt Retirement

Chapter 16 The Thriving Artist 232

Pricing creativity and getting your product into stores.

Chapter 17 Grab a Headset and Act Important: You Are Your Own Best Publicist 252

Publicity, branding, celebrity clientele, social media and digital marketing

Chapter 18 Wellbeing Rocks 282

Let's end this journey how we started: by remaining a spiritually and emotionally sound CG.

Appendices

Appendix A How to Ace an Interview with an Agent or Manager 306

Appendix B Creative Moms in Action Share Their Tips 310

Appendix C Professional Blogging 101 314

Appendix D For Further Reading 316

Acknowledgments 317

Index 318

Editorial Reviews

When Sise was in her early 20s, she realized she needed a second job to support her acting career. Instead of temping or waitressing, she stayed true to her creative nature and chose jewelry design, and in a few years she was able to support herself without sacrificing her dreams or temperament to an office job. In fresh, funny, and cheerful prose, she helps her readers figure out what they want to do and build a roadmap for getting there. She breaks down the practicalities of a fulfilling and financially self-sufficient life, including finding a mentor, deciding when to leave a day job, developing weapons for overcoming fear, learning the legalities, as well as résumé polishing, interviewing, negotiating, and publicizing yourself. Emphasizing self-evaluation and the use of helpful worksheets, Sise presents solid practical advice and encouragement through interviews with famous "creative girls." Her comprehensive stock of information and playful tone--she urges readers to "Know Your Strength, Know Your Kryptonite"--round out a wonderful survival guide for women looking to make the leap to a satisfying, self-directed career. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Jamie Rosen, W Magazine, June 2010
"Encouraging, inspiring and actually fun to read, Creative Girl gives its readers a master class in career actualization. Whether it's guidance on how to tap into your talents, advice on how to work creatively in a corporate world, or the roadmap for setting up your own business or freelance venture, Sise offers up all the tools needed to satisfy your soul and your bank account."

From the Publisher