Subject Index

This page contains four indices to information that has appeared in the Creative Business newsletter in the last several years. It was last updated on Februry 2, 2012.

For a full review of what we have published, scroll down to check all four.

CREATIVE BUSINESS NEWSLETTER ARTICLE INDEX

The following index lists alphabetically those subjects that have been the focus of a full article in the Creative Business newsletter. Also listed are older articles that have been updated and are now available separately. To download an article or entire issue, click on the appropriate link following the description. Creative Business newsletter subscribers can request an article or back issue at no charge from mail@creativebusiness.com. If you have questions about content, call us at (617) 451-0041 or send us an e-mail at mail@creativebusiness.com. Our office hours are 9am to 3pm Eastern Time. Voice mail is available at other times.

Accounting & bookkeeping. Guidelines for--July/August 2010 (Entire Newsletter); cash or accrual method?--May/June 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Agency. Agent contracts--March/April 2011 (Entire Newsletter); when is a creative firm an "agency?" (Article)
Approvals. Getting client--Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter)
Arbitration. A better way to settle disputes?--July/August 2000 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Auditing. Client communications and branding--February 2009 (special issue) (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Auto expenses. How to figure tax-deductibility--Sept/Oct 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Award shows. Business criteria for entering--July/August 2008 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Bad luck. Avoiding and dealing with it--Sept/Oct 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Bankruptcy. Avoiding and dealing with insolvent clients--Jan/Feb 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Benefits. (See "Employees.")
Benchmarks. Comparing business trends--Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter); compiling annually as part of year-end financial statement--Nov/Dec 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Billable efficiency. Doing a check--Nov/Dec 2003 (Entire Newsletter); checking and improving (Article)
Billing alternatives. Non-cash pros and cons--July/August 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Billing rates. (See "Rates.")
Body language. Reading and using--May/June 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Bookkeeping. (See "Accounting & bookkeeping")
Bonuses. How to calculate--Jan/Feb 2003 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Branding. Looking at the world of--April 2005 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter) (Also, see "Auditing.")
Budgets. Discussing/finding out a client's--March/April 2010 (Entire Newsletter), and May/June 2000 (Article, Entire Newsletter); how clients arrive at theirs--Sept/Oct 2010 (Entire Newsletter; helping to set a client's marketing--Jan/Feb 2005 (Entire Newsletter
Bureaucracies. Dealing with clients'--Sept/Oct 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Burnout. Testing yourself (Article) (Also see "Stress.")
Business. Damaging beliefs--July/August 2004 (Entire Newsletter); dodging four common problems (bullets)--Jan/Feb 2003 (Entire Newsletter); insurance--April 2006 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); preparing for tragedy--April 2006 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); resigning--Jan/Feb 2001 (Article, Entire Newsletter); specialization pros and cons--Sept/Oct 2007 (Article, Entire Newsletter); strategies for a graying firm (Article); strategies for coping with a slowdown--Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter); the five keys to getting more--Nov/Dec 2001 (Entire Newsletter); the pipeline analogy--July/August 2008 (Entire Newsletter); thoughts on aquiring new--Nov/Dec 2007 (Entire Newsletter); valuing yours--April 2011 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter) and (Booklet)
Business concerns. Inevitable issues--Sept/Oct 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Business conditions. Surveys of-- May/June 2011 (Entire Newsletter); July/August 2010 (Entire Newsletter); Nov/Dec 2009 (Entire Newsletter); May/June 2009 (Entire Newsletter); Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter); August 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); and March/April 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Business models. See "Structuring."
Business planning and plans. Criteria for preparing and examples--October 2008 (special) issue (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Business poaching (stealing). Foiling those who would--Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter)
Business stages. Three crucial ones defined--Sept/Oct 2009 (Entire Newsletter); the pipeline analogy--July/August 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Business standards. (See "Standards" for booklets on general business, pricing, personnel, and valuation and sale.)
Business tragedies. Preparing for--April 2006 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Buy-sell agreements. What to include (Article) (Also see "Valuation" and "Selling Your Business")
Bylaws. Importance of--July/August 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Cancellation. Fees for--Sept/Oct 2009 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Case histories. Eight of varying management practices & efficiency (Article); three detailed case studies--October 2002 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Cash flow. Techniques for watching--Nov/Dec 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Changes. How many to allow--Nov/Dec 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Change orders. Preparing--Nov/Dec 2002 (Entire Newsletter); importance of--Jan/Feb 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Cliches. Avoiding destructive business ones--Jan/Feb 2001 (Entire Newsletter)
Clients. Auditing their communications materials--February 2009 (special issue) (Article, Entire Newsletter); coping with incompetent ones--Jan/Feb 2001 (Article, Entire Newsletter); dealing with their bureaucracies--Sept/Oct 2002 (Entire Newsletter); dealing with "no use, no pay" situations--May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter); dealing with opinionated ones--Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter) (Article); dealing with their unwanted contributions--Sept/Oct 2008 (Article,Entire Newsletter); dealing with their wanting to buy printing--Sept/Oct 1999 (Entire Newsletter); dealing with conflicts of interest and indemnity agreements--July/August 2003 (Entire Newsletter); educating on selecting and working with a creative firm--May/June 2002 (Article, Entire Newsletter); educating (problems trying to)--May/June 2007 (Entire Newsletter); enhancing loyalty of--May/June 2002 (Entire Newsletter); discussing/finding out their budget--March/April 2010 (Entire Newsletter), and May/June 2000 (Article, Entire Newsletter); four ways to lose--July/August 2007 (Entire Newsletter); getting approvals from--Jan/Feb 2011 (Entire Newsletter); getting feedback from--Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter) and Nov/Dec 2010 (Entire Newsletter); getting referrals from--March/April 2004 (Article, Entire Newsletter); helping them set a marketing budget--Jan/Feb 2005 (Entire Newsletter); helping them prepare simple marketing plans--March/April 2003 (Article, Entire Newsletter); helping them set a literature budget--March/April 2002 (Article, Entire Newsletter); making over otherwise comfortable relationships with--Jan/Feb 2007 (Entire Newsletter); non-disclosure agreements (Article); overcommiting to--Jan/Feb 2006 (Entire Newsletter); purchase orders--March/April 2011 (Entire Newsletter); qualifying--May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter); relationships with--March/April 2011 (Entire Newsletter); relating to their sensibilities--Sept/Oct 2007 (Entire Newsletter); resigning--Jan/Feb 2001 (Article, Entire Newsletter); saying goodbye to toxic ones--July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter); surveying their happiness--Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter) and Nov/Dec 2010 (Entire Newsletter); thinking like one--March/April 2001 (Entire Newsletter); understanding their payment procedures (Article); when their knowledge can be dangerous--Sept/Oct 2004 (Entire Newsletter); when helping them will result in lost business--Jan/Feb 2005 (Entire Newsletter); what they are entitled to--Sept/Oct 2005 (Entire Newsletter); why they leave--March/April 2005 (Entire Newsletter); working with when they are friends--Nov/Dec 2011 (Entire Newsletter); working with a teammate chosen by them--Nov/Dec 2011 (Entire Newsletter); working with their "new guy"--Sept/Oct 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Closing. A sales presentation--May/June 2005 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Cold calling. Tips and scripts--July/August 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Collateral. Helping clients set a collateral budget--March/April 2002 (Article, Entire Newsletter); market for--June 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter);
Collecting. Options--February 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter) (Also see "Arbitration," & "Collection agencies")
Collection agencies. Use of--February 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Commoditization. Battling marketplace--Nov/Dec 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Compensation. See "Salaries."
Competing. Tactics for facing increased--Nov/Dec 2001 (Article, Entire Newsletter); on value delivered--May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Computer files. What do you own and when does it matter--May/June 2010 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Concepts. Charge for a second?--March/April 2007 (Entire Newsletter,Article); copy starters--Jan/Feb 2007 (Entire Newsletter); presenting--April 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter, Article); selling--Sept/Oct 2010 (Entire Newsletter); what's original?--Sept/Oct 2009 (Article, Entire Newsletter) (Also see "Ideas.")
Conflicts of interest. Defined--July/August 2003 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Contact management. (See "Selling.")
Contracts. For process-type work--March/April 2011 (Entire Newsletter) (Also, see "Estimates.")
Copyright. What do you own and when does it matter--May/June 2010 (Entire Newsletter); protecting and registering--July/August 2003 (Entire Newsletter); valuing and protecting--July/August 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Copywriting. Rationale for use of professional (Free Form); pricing of selected copywriting assignments--Jan/Feb 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Costs. Self-insuring against unforseeable ones--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Court. (See "Legal.")
Creative. Pricing of when there is no production--Nov/Dec 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Creative briefs. How to prepare--Jan/Feb 2002 (Article, Entire Newsletter); use of in the Q (questions) strategy--June 2008 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Creative quality. Managing--August 2010 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Creativity. Building self-confidence in your work--July/August 2006 (Entire Newsletter); stimulating--Jan/Feb 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Critiquing. When it is good and when not good--Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Delays. Working around project--March/April 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Delegation. Considerations when doing--Sept/Oct 2003 (Entire Newsletter); art of practicing--Nov/Dec 2004 (Entire Newsletter); principals' priorities--July/August 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Design. Rationale for use of professional (Free Form)
Disaster. Lessons learned from--May/June 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Discounts. For volume--Jan/Feb 2006 (Entire Newsletter); replying to by offering a retainer (Article); responding to general requests for--March/April 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Downsizing. Through staff layoffs--June 2007 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Economic downturn. Strategies for coping with--Sept/Oct 2001 (Entire Newsletter)
Emergencies. Planning for--April 2006 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter, Free Form)
Educating clients. How to select and work with a creative firm--May/June 2002 (Article, Entire Newsletter); pros and cons of attempting--May/June 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Employee(s). "360-degree" evaluations for--July/August 2002 (Entire Newsletter); art of delegating to--Nov/Dec 2004 (Entire Newsletter); bonuses for?--Jan/Feb 2003 (Article, Entire Newsletter); delegation to--Sept/Oct 2003 (Entire Newsletter); developing (polishing) human resources (personnel) skills--March/April 2003 (Entire Newsletter); establishing Internet guidelines for--Sept/Oct 2004 (Entire Newsletter); classification of (exempt vs non-exempt)--May/June 2011 (Entire Newsletter); expanding with virtual or contract--Sept/Oct 2004 (Entire Newsletter); flextime and telecommuting benefits--Sept/Oct 2008 (Entire Newsletter); freelances/temps versus full-time--July/August 2009 (Entire Newsletter); freelancing policy--Nov/Dec 2005 (Entire Newsletter); handbooks--Personnel Policy Standards (booklet); hiring necessity and affordability--October 2007 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); hiring your first--Sept/Oct 2005 (Entire Newsletter); hiring interns--May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter); interviewing prospective--October 2007 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter) and Nov/Dec 2002 (Entire Newsletter); job descriptions--(Article); layoffs--June 2007 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); managing--October 2005 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter; misclassifying--October 2007 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); non-compete agreements (Article); overtime and work breaks, what's required?--May/June 2011 (Article, Entire Newsletter); policies/procedures manual (see "handbooks" above); providing equity to--July/August 2004 (Entire Newsletter); terminating--June 2007 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); treating them like family--Nov/Dec 2003 (Entire Newsletter); virtual--Sept/Oct 2004 (Article, (Entire Newsletter); why asking them to sell is usually a mistake--July/August 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Employee lawsuit. A case history--Jan/Feb 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Equity. Providing to employees--July/August 2004 (Entire Newsletter) (Also see "Ownership sharing.")
ESOPs. (See "Ownership sharing.")
Estimates/estimating. Considerations for producing good ones--Nov/Dec 2010 (Entire Newsletter);importance of sticking to time estimates--Nov/Dec 2007 (Entire Newsletter); eliminating the spread between estimates and invoices--March/April 2005 (Entire Newsletter); worksheets (Free Form)
Evaluations. "360-degree" for employees--July/August 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Evaluating. Return on investment (ROI) of client projects--Sept/Oct 2002 (Article, Entire Newsletter); impact of environmental design--Nov/Dec 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Exercises. When working at a computer (Free Form)
Exit strategies and succession planning. Considerations--December 2006 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter) (Also see "Selling your business" and "Valuation.")
"Family." See Workplace "families"
"Farming out" work. How to handle--May/June 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Feedback. Soliciting from clients--Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Fees. For graphic standards (limited examples) (Article); for Inter(ra)net work (limited examples)--May/June 2005 (Entire Newsletter); having a minimum--Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter); how to raise (Article); versus commission billing--Nov/Dec 2009 (Entire Newsletter) (Also see "Pricing")
Financial concerns. Avoiding a financial ambush--March/April 1999 (Entire Newsletter); watching cash flow--Nov/Dec 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Financial checkup. Doing an annual, year-end--Nov/Dec 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Financial statements. Primer on how to prepare and read--May/June 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Firing. (See "Terminations")
Formatting. Opportunities--May/June 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Fraud. Protecting against--Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Flextime & telecommuting. As benefits for employees--Sept/Oct 2008 Entire Newsletter)
Freelance/temp help. Comparing to full-time employees--July/August 2009 (Entire Newsletter); misclassifying as employees--October 2007 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter), profiting from--May/June 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Freelancing. Employees doing--Nov/Dec 2005 (Entire Newsletter); positioning--March/April 2006 (Entire Newsletter; pricing psychology--July/August 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Friends. Working with when they are clients--Nov/Dec 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Gift giving. What's appropriate at year-end?--Nov/Dec 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Government business. Ten tips for getting--Nov/Dec 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Graphic standards. Providing clients with--April 2003 (special issue) (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Growth. Planning and managing--July/August 2000 (Entire Newsletter); through merger or acquisition--May/June 2004 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Hiring. Criteria for a creative supplier--May/June 2002 (Article, Entire Newsletter) (For employees, see "Staffing.")
Health savings accounts. A way to cut costs?--July/August 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Hosting agreements For web clients--March/April 2011 relationships with--March/April 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Ideas. Selling yours to clients--Sept/Oct 2010 (Entire Newsletter, Article) (Also see "Concepts.")
Identities. (See "Graphic standards.")
Illustration. Estimating worksheet (Free Form); rationale for use of (Free Form); buying and using medical--Jan/Feb 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Images. See "Photos."
Incompetence. Dealing with clients'--Jan/Feb 2001 (Entire Newsletter)
Indemnification. Dealing with client requests for--July/August 2003 (Entire Newsletter)
In-house competition. Outside supplier vs inside department pricing/benefit comparisons--Jan/Feb 2000 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Input. Getting a client's (Free Form)
Inquiries. Resonding to from unknown prospects--July/August 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Insurance. What's needed & how to buy--April 2006 (special issue) (Article, Entire Newsletter); are health savings accounts a way to cut costs?--July/August 2005 (Entire Newsletter); errors and omissions--Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter); getting disability--May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter); self-insuring against unforseeable costs--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Internet. Job sites evaluated--May/June 2000 (Entire Newsletter); marketing services for--May/June 2005 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Interns. Hiring--May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Interviewing. Prospective employees--Nov/Dec 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Insolvent clients. Avoiding and dealing with--Jan/Feb 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Intellectual property. Protecting--July/August 2003 (Entire Newsletter)
Job descriptions. Examples (Article)
Kill fees. What's appropriate (Article)
Lawyers & legal counsel. Considerations when hiring--February 2003 (special issue) (Article, Entire Newsletter) (Also see "Small Claims Court")
Layoff employees. When and how to--June 2007 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Legal. (See "Lawyers & legal counsel.")
Literature. Market for preparing--June 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Licensing. Ideas, designs, and products--May/June 2005 (Entire Newsletter); violation of photo--Nov/Dec 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
LLC operating agreement. (See "Bylaws")
Logos. Obtaining & pricing assignments to develop (Article)
Low-bid projects. How to handle RFPs/RFQs--May/June 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Loyalty. Enhancing your clients'--May/June 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Management practices & efficiency. A management bootcamp--April 2010 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); creative quality--August 2010 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); ten principles of--Sept/Oct 2011 (Entire Newsletter); role of social media in--Nov/Dec 2011 (Entire Newsletter); several case histories detailing (Article); three detailed case studies--October 2002 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); tripping over managment traps--October 2005 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Marketing. A primer on--June 2000 (special issue) (Article, Entire Newsletter); and the creative psyche--Sept/Oct 2011 (Entire Newsletter); buzz marketing tips--July/August 2005 (Entire Newsletter); electronic trends in--May/June 2010 (Entire Newsletter), going after work you've never done before--March/April 2007 (Entire Newsletter); in a recession--Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter); seven marketing sins to avoid--October 2006 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); specialization pros and cons (Article); to Internet clients--May/June 2005 (Article, Entire Newsletter); to a downsizing in-house dept.--May/June 2009 (Entire Newsletter) (Also see "Selling")
Marketing/sales. Guidelines for creative firms, including hiring and compensating sales help--June 2001 (special issue) (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Market. Future for graphic design--May/June 2005 (Entire Newsletter); for sales literature (collateral)--June 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Marketing plans/budgets. Helping clients prepare simple ones--March/April 2003 (Article, Entire Newsletter); helping a client prepare a marketing budget--Jan/Feb 2005 (Entire Newsletter) Long- Vs short-term strategies--Jan/Feb 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Markups. For freelance/temp help--May/June 2010 (Entire Newsletter), for printing--July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter); why, when, and how much?--July/August 2007 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Mediation. (See "Arbitration")
Medical illustration. Buying and using--Jan/Feb 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Meetings. Holding more productive ones--Jan/Feb 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Mergers & Acquisitions. Considerations for--May/June 2004 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Money psychology. How it affects business--Jan/Feb 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Multipliers. For employee salaries--July/August 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Naming. Obtaining & pricing assignments--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter, Article); your business (Article)
Negotiating skills. Developing--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Non-compete/non-disclosure agreements. Foiling those who would poach clients--Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter); guidelines & sample forms (Article)
Not-for-profit clients. Understanding how they are different--March/April 2000 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Office/studio. Criteria for (Article); importance of location and type of facilities--Sept/Oct 2002 (Article, Entire Newsletter) purchasing your own--March/April 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
One-sourcing. Of all client needs--July/August 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Open Book Management (OBM). Will it work in a creative firm?--July/August 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Operating models. Seven models for creative businesses--December 2011 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Originality. Guidelines to reassure clients--Nov/Dec 2009 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Organizational structure. Three models for creative businesses--December 2000 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); is a group of "associates" a better way? (Article)
Overcommitment. When dealing with clients and projects--Jan/Feb 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Overtime compensation. Rules for--May/June 2011 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Ownership of copyright and computer files. Who has--May/June 2010 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Ownership sharing. Ways to and pros and cons of each (Article) (Also see "Equity.")
Packaging. Market and pricing--March/April 2001 (Entire Newsletter)
Partnering. General considerations--Jan/Feb 2003 (Article, Entire Newsletter); making sure it works--April 2007 (special issue) Entire Newsletter); with a "significant other"--July/August 2009 (Article, Entire Newsletter); with another firm--December 2010 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Payments. Client procedures (Article); accepting non-money--July/August 2009 (Entire Newsletter); non-receipt of--(see "collecting"); rationale for getting progress--May/June 2011 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Pensions. (See "Retirement plans")
Perfectionism. Problems resulting from trying to achieve--Nov/Dec 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Performance. "360-degree" evaluations for employees--July/August 2002 (Entire Newsletter); "50 Business Standards for Graphic Design and Creative Services Companies" downloadable as (Booklet) (Also, see "Productivity.")
Personnel management. Tripping over management traps--October 2005 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter (Also see "Policies & Procedures.")
Photos. Ensuring clearances for--Jan/Feb 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Planning Your future--July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Plans. Business--October 2008 (special) issue (Article, Entire Newsletter); for exiting your business--December 2006 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Policies & procedures manual (employee handbook). Personnel Policy Standards (Booklet)
Portfolios. New trends in showing--Sept/Oct 2001 (Article, Entire Newsletter) (Also see "Presentation skills")
Positioning. For freelances--March/April 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Practice standards (professional). For creative firms (Free Form)
Preparing. For the unexpected--April 2006 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter, Free Form)
Presentations. Applying the Q (questions) strategy at both presentation (pre-proposal) and production (post-proposal) stages--June 2008 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); closing a sales presentation--May/June 2005 (Article, Entire Newsletter); getting approvals on--Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter); improving new business pitches--June 2009 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); making to hostile audience--Jan/Feb 2011 (Entire Newsletter); making a concept--April 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter Article); making a portfolio--Sept/Oct 2001 (Article, Entire Newsletter); making a process--Jan/Feb 2005 (Article, Entire Newsletter); making to an in-house creative group--May/June 2009 (Entire Newsletter) (Also see "Portfolios")
Presentation skills. Closing a presentation--May/June 2005 (Article), Entire Newsletter); improving new business pitches--June 2009 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); overcoming nervousness--March/April 2006 (Article, Entire Newsletter); differentiating your presentations--Jan/Feb 2010 (Entire Newsletter); ten tips for making (Free Form); the art of small talk--March/April 1999 (Entire Newsletter)
Press releases. Sample (Free Form)
Pricing. Alternatives for problem-pricing situations--May/June 2004 (Article, Entire Newsletter); for consulting and planning--Nov/Dec 2004 (Entire Newsletter); for creative when there is no production--Nov/Dec 2006 (Entire Newsletter); for selected Inter(ra)net projects--May/June 2005 (Entire Newsletter); for selected copywriting assignments--Jan/Feb 2002 (Entire Newsletter); for second concepts--March/April 2007 (Article, Entire Newsletter); handling up-front inquiries--March/April 2002 (Article, Entire Newsletter); hourly billing rate survey--Sept/Oct 2011 (Article, Entire Newsletter); how to raise (Article); relationship between production and profit--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter; ten job comparisons (Article); less for not-for-profit clients? (Article); outside supplier versus inside department comparisons--Jan/Feb 2000 (Article, Entire Newsletter); one or several rates?--May/June 2000 - (Article, Entire Newsletter); parables about--Jan/Feb 2003 (Entire Newsletter); psychology of--May/June 2002 (Entire Newsletter and Jan/Feb 2007 (Entire Newsletter); psychology of for freelancers--July/August 2002 (Entire Newsletter); projects you've never handled before--March/April 2007 (Entire Newsletter); possible by the job's ultimate value to client? (Article); of selected Web sites--July/August 2000 (Entire Newsletter); responding to unexpected challenges--July/August 2006 (Entire Newsletter); setting standards--Booklet "Pricing & Billing Standards" (Booklet) (also the subject of the February 2008 (special) issue of Creative Business); shifting discussion off price and onto value--March/April 2010 (Entire Newsletter); Wal-Mart effect on--March/April 2009 (Entire Newsletter); when to reconsider and readjust--March/April 2005 (Article Entire Newsletter); working for client equity--July/August 2000 (Entire Newsletter) (Also see "Fees" "Markups" and "RFP/Qs")
Priorities. Setting for a firm's principal-July/August 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Print literature. (See "Collateral.")
Printing. Disclaiming when client buys--Sept/Oct 1999 (Entire Newsletter); selling and markup criteria (Article)
Pro bono work. When it makes sense--March/April 2009 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Productivity. Employee form (Free Form); looking closely at--March/April 2009 Entire Newsletter); relationship to price and profit--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter
Products. Selling your own--May/June 2001 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Professional services. Seven scripts that make the case for hiring--August 2011 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Profitability. Compute for a privately-held creative services organization--March/April 2000 (Article, Entire Newsletter); ensuring for a project--Sept/Oct 2003 (Entire Newsletter); for an account--March/April 2009 Entire Newsletter); relationship to price and productivity--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter) (Also see "Billable efficiency")
Progress payments. Rationale for getting--July/August 2011 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Projects. Convincing a client to upgrade--Nov/Dec 2003 (Entire Newsletter); working around delays--March/April 2008 (Entire Newsletter); ensuring profitability of--Sept/Oct 2003 (Entire Newsletter); going after ones you've never done before--March/April 2007 (Entire Newsletter); resigning (assorted conditions)--Jan/Feb 2001 (Article, Entire Newsletter), when project is from a "toxic client"--July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Proofs and sign-offs. Standards for--July/August 2002 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Promotion. The science of promoting a creative services business--August 2002 (special issue) (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Proposals. (See "Estimates")
Prospecting. (See "Selling")
Purchase orders. What you need to know about clients'--March/April 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Questioning. Using as a presentation and input strategy--June 2008 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Questionnaires. Assignment form (Free Form); Illustration form (Free Form)
Rates. Survey of hourly billing--Sept/Oct 2011 (Article, Entire Newsletter); survey of hourly billing--Sept/Oct 2007 (Entire Newsletter); one or several?--May/June 2000 (Article, Entire Newsletter); use of employee salary multipliers in setting--July/August 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Referrals. What's right and wrong with--March/April 2004 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Rejection. How to handle--Sept/Oct 2003 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Relationships. Making over otherwise comfortable ones--Jan/Feb 2007 (Entire Newsletter) Practice and psychology of client--Mar/April 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Rent. (See "Office/studio")
Resigning. A toxic client --July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter); A project or client with dignity and style (Article)
Retainers. Their benefits & structure (Article); as a form of discount for volume--Jan/Feb 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Retirement plans. Choices for individuals and employees--Sept/Oct 2001 (Entire Newsletter)
Return on investment (ROI). Answering a clients's questions about your work's--May/June 2009 (Article, Entire Newsletter); for packaging design--Sept/Oct 2002 (Entire Newsletter); how to figure--Nov/Dec 2000 (Entire Newsletter)
RFPs/RFQs. How to handle--May/June 2004 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Risk. Avoidance of--Sept/Oct 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Sales/marketing. Guidelines for creative firms, including hiring and compensating sales help--June 2001 (special issue) (Article, Entire Newsletter); when sales help is affordable--July/August 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Salaries. Survey of--Jan/Feb 2004 (Entire Newsletter); what should a principal be making?--March/April 2008 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Samples and testimonials. Guidelines for showing/using--March/April 2003 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Scheduling. Avoiding costly miscues--March/April 2007 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Self-employment. Costs and benefits of--Sept/Oct 2009 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Selling. A client on upgrading a project--Nov/Dec 2003 (Entire Newsletter); cold calling tips and scripts--July/August 2005 (Entire Newsletter); concerns about "strategy selling"--May/June 2006 (Entire Newsletter); dissecting the fear of telephone prospecting--July/August 2006 (Entire Newsletter); the better value of your services--May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter); handling rejection--Sept/Oct 2003 (Article, Entire Newsletter); printing (Article); prospecting for new clients and mining previous contacts--May/June 2003 (Article, Entire Newsletter); your ideas and concepts--Sept/Oct 2010 (Entire Newsletter); why asking employees to sell is usually a mistake--July/August 2008 (Entire Newsletter); your own products--May/June 2001 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Selling your business. How to prepare, value, and sell a creative firm--April 2011 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter) and ("Valuation and Sale Standards" (Booklet) (Also see "Valuation" and "Exit strategies and succession planning.")
Sensibilities. Relating to clients'--Sept/Oct 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Settlement demand letters. For photo license violations--Nov/Dec 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Size. What's right for a creative company? (Article)
Small Claims Court. Using and winning in--Jan/Feb 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Small talk. The art of making--Sept/Oct 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Social media. Grading. Underutilized or overhyped?--Nov/Dec 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Software. Review of e-mailing--May/June 2010 (Entire Newsletter), review of management programs--March/April 2010 (Entire Newsletter), and May/June 2003 (Entire Newsletter); piracy issues--Sept/Oct 1999 (Entire Newsletter); Quark or InDesign? Business considerations for--March/April 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Spec work. Handling requests to do "paid spec"--Sept/Oct 2004 (Entire Newsletter); rationale for not doing (Free Form)
Specialization. The arguments for and against--Sept/Oct 2007 (Article , Entire Newsletter)
Staff. See "Employees"
Staffing. Freelances/temps versus full-time employees--July/August 2009 (Entire Newsletter); when and how to hire new employees--October 2007 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); hiring your first employee--Sept/Oct 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Standards. "Fifty Business"--downloadable as (Booklet); "Pricing and Billing" downloadable as (Booklet); "Personnel Policy" downloadable as (Booklet); "Valuation and Sale" downloadable as (Booklet)
Stock/shares. Providing to employees--July/August 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Strategies. Applying the Q (questions) at both presentation (pre-proposal) and production (post-proposal) stages--June 2008 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); for a "graying" creative businesses--Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter); for responding to a downturning economy--Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Stress. Avoiding the stress and burnout pitfall--March/April 2004 (Entire Newsletter).
Structuring. Seven models for creative businesses--December 2011 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); is a group of "associates" a better way? (Article)
Subcontracting. To another firm--December 2010 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); and Nov/Dec 2005 (Entire Newsletter); protection when employing others--May/June 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Suing a client. Options for non-payment--February 2003 (special issue) (Article, Entire Newsletter); using and winning in small claims court--Jan/Feb 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Success. Ten tests to rate your business aptitude (Article)
Succession planning. Considerations--December 2006 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Supervising. How to do better--March/April 2004 (Entire Newsletter).
Surveys. Of hourly billing rates--Sept/Oct 2011 ((Article, Entire Newsletter); of business conditions--May/June 2011 (Entire Newsletter); May/June 2009 (Entire Newsletter); Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter); August 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); and March/April 2002 (Entire Newsletter); of client happiness--Nov/Dec 2010 (Entire Newsletter) and Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
SWOT analysis. How to do one--Nov/Dec 2011 (Entire Newsletter, Free Form)
Talent reps. Obtaining & compensating (Article)
Temp help/freelances. Marking up--May/June 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Testimonials and samples. Guidlines for using/showing--March/April 2003 (Article, Entire Newsletter)
Teaming. General considerations--December 2010 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); and Jan/Feb 2003 (Article, Entire Newsletter); with a creative chosen by the client--Nov/Dec 2011 (Entire Newsletter) (Also see "Partnering" and "Subcontracting")
Terms. Unfamiliar business--Sept/Oct 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Terminations. How to get rid of problem employees--June 2007 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Tests. Ten aptitude tests for freelances and principals (Article)
Time sheets. Sample form (Free Form) (Also see "Billable efficiency")
Trademark registration. How to go about obtaining (Article)
Trends. Comparing your business' financial and personal metrics-Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Valuation. Estimating what your business is worth--April 2011 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter) and (Booklet) (Also see "Selling your business")
Value. Shifting emphasis from price to--March/April 2010 (Entire Newsletter); pricing by a job's (Article); selling the better value of your services--May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Value proposition. Preparing--Jan/Feb 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Value shifting. From cost to value--March/April 2010 (Entire Newsletter); importance of when selling--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Virtual employees. Possible?--Sept/Oct 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Wal-Mart effect. On pricing--March/April 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Work breaks. Rules for employees--May/June 2011 ((Article, Entire Newsletter)
Working with someone else's clients. How to handle--March/April 2000 (Entire Newsletter)
Working with an outside creative. When selected by client--Nov/Dec 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Workplace "families." Problems with--October 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Workplace environment. Improving--Nov/Dec 2003 (Entire Newsletter)
Work-for-hire agreement. Sample form (Free Form)
Web sites. Helpful business sites listed at www.creativebusiness.com/resource.lasso
Work. How to get great work from a creative supplier--May/June 2002 (Entire Newsletter); making the case for hiring professional services--August 2011 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)

ADVICE | FORMS | RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE

CREATIVE BUSINESS NEWSLETTER BENCHMARKS/TIPS/METRICS

The following index lists alphabetically those subjects that have been featured as a management benchmark, tip, or metric in issues of the Creative Business newsletter available for downloading. Creative Business subscribers (only!) may call--(617) 451-0041--to discuss application. Our office hours are 9am to 3pm Eastern Time. Voice mail is available at other times.

Accounts receivable, % of income tied up. What's appropriate--March/April 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Aging reports. How often to run for accounts receiveable and work-in-progress--Sept/Oct 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Bad Debts. Guidelines for the ability to absorb--July/August 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Bank statements. Have sent to home address--May/June 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Billable efficiency (utilization rate). Percentage--July/August 2000 (Entire Newsletter); for individual employees?--May/June 2011 (Entire Newsletter); how often to calculate--March/April 2007 (Entire Newsletter); including after-hours time in--March/April 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Billing. How soon after project completion--May/June 2003 (Entire Newsletter); when project has been delayed--Sept/Oct 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Business growth. What's safe--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Bookkeeping. Average weekly time--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Cancellation (kill) fees. What's appropriate--Sept/Oct 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Check signatures. What's advisible for a multiple owner firm--Jan/Feb 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Client dependency. How much work from one or two clients?--Nov/Dec 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Clients. Ratio of repeat to new--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Competitive clients. Separating work from--Nov/Dec 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Contacts. Times needed to get projects--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Crucial period of growth. What's typical in a firm's development--Jan/Feb 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Current ratio. How to calculate what's normal--Nov/Dec 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Days sales outstanding (DSO). How to calculate--Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Discounts. For early pay from institutional clients--March/April 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Education and training budget. How much--March/April 2003 (Entire Newsletter)
Employee raises. Longest interval between--May/June 2010 (Also See "Employee salary reviews/adjustments") (Entire Newsletter)
Employee salary reviews/adjustments. How often--July/August 2003 (Also see "Employee raises") (Entire Newsletter)
Employees reporting to one supervisor. How many--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Estimating & proposal writing time. What's appropriate--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Estimates, how long valid for. What's appropriate--July/August 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Estimate reductions. Where to allocate the cost--July/August 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Equity. When to check your firm's--Nov/Dec 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Facilities expenses. Monthly percentage--Sept/Oct 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Fee income. Target as % of billable payroll--Nov/Dec 2001 (Entire Newsletter)
Fee multiplier. For employees--July/August 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Finder's fee. What's appropriate--Sept/Oct 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Get new clients. Fastest way to--Jan/Feb 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Hiring staff. When to--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Income allocation. By business function--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Income per employee. What's appropriate--July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter);
Inflation rate. 2010 for businesses--July/August 2010 (Entire Newsletter); 2007 for businesses--Sept/Oct 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Information gathering. As percentage of production time--March/April 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Invoice payment. How long?--Sept/Oct 2008 (Entire Newsletter); speeding up--Jan/Feb 2010 (Entire Newsletter); and booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet) (Also see "Billing")
Invoicing. See "Billing"
Labor ratios. Creative to administrative--Sept/Oct 2003 (Entire Newsletter)
Liquidity required. What's appropriate--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Lowering estimates. By allocating costs, not fudging numbers--March/April 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Markups. What's appropriate--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Marketing costs & time. What's appropriate--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Marketing radius. What is practical--Jan/Feb 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Marketing staff. Ratio to producing staff--July/August 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Marketing success. What's realistic--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Minimum fee policy. What's appropriate--Sept/Oct 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Overcommitting. What's prudent--May/June 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Payment schedules. For outside (freelance) help--May/June 2005 (Entire Newsletter); knowing clients'--Jan/Feb 2003 (Entire Newsletter)
Persuasion. Use of "and" rather than "but"--Nov/Dec 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Presentations. How many to make--March/April 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Pricing. Adopting a non-discrimination policy--May/June 2004 (Entire Newsletter) and May/June 2007 (Entire Newsletter); relating to what other professionals charge--Nov/Dec 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Profitability. Goal for creative services firms--Jan/Feb 2004 (Entire Newsletter); from repeat versus new clients--Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Promotion. Response as a function of exposure--Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Proposals and estimates. How long good for--July/August 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Quick ratio. What's appropriate--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Records. How long to keep--May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Reducing staff. When income falls to--Nov/Dec 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Relationships. Business versus personal--March/April 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Repeat/new client business ratio. What's appropriate--Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter)
Sales contacts. Average until business changes hands--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Space requirements. What's appropriate--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Staff compensation. Additional when professionals work an occasional extra hour or two?--Sept/Oct 2001 (Entire Newsletter)
Supervision. Ratio of to employees--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Terms & conditions. What are normal--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Time estimates. Importance in improving profitability--July/August 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Turning down projects. What is normal?--Jan/Feb 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Unbilled time and expenses. How much income is needed to compensate--March/April 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Uncollected invoices. Appropriate average--July/August 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Work backlog. What's appropriate--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Work-in-Progress Aging Report. How to use--Nov/Dec 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Workload.How much to commit to--see the booklet "50 Business Standards" (Booklet)
Working hours per week. What's normal?--see the booklet "50 Business Standards"(Booklet)

MANAGEMENT BENCHMARKS| FORMS | RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE

CREATIVE BUSINESS NEWSLETTER ADVICE INDEX

The following index lists alphabetically those subjects that have been been answered on the advice pages of the Creative Business newsletter in recent years. Some answers cover different subjects than CB articles, some extend article coverage.

1099/W-2 workers. Tax differences--July/August 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Advertising "make-good." When it is appropriate?--Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Account executives. How to compensate--Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Accounting. Average fees--March/April 2005 (Entire Newsletter); difference between cash and accrual--June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Agency commissions. What should be covered--July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter); 15% versus 17.65%--Sept/Oct 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Agency of record. Defined--Nov/Dec 2004 (Entire Newsletter); and July/August 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
AGI. Agency Gross Income defined--July/August 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Annual reports. Ordering copies of--May/June 2003 (Entire Newsletter)
Audit. Client asking to audit a firm's books--March/April 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Bids. Divulging to competitive vendors--July/August 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Bills. Still pay outdated ones?--March/April 2001 (Entire Newsletter)
Billing. Adjust between two jobs for one client?--Nov/Dec 2007 (Entire Newsletter); discounted terms for clients--July/August 2009 (Entire Newsletter); for idle time--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter); for plans--Sept/Oct 2009 (Entire Newsletter); for short periods of time--Sept/Oct 2011 (Entire Newsletter); for web work--Nov/Dec 2000 (Entire Newsletter); for project prematurely cancelled--October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); pre-billing at end of year--Jan/Feb 2003 (Entire Newsletter)(Also see "Invoicing")
Boards of directors/advisors. Basic info about--Nov/Dec 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Branding. For nonprofits--March/April 2010 (Entire Newsletter); importance in down economy--Sept?Oct 2010 (Entire Newsletter); ownership rights to materials--March/April 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Cancellation fee. Problems charging?--Nov/Dec 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Capability brochure. Reasons client should have one--March/April 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Capitalized billings. Defined--July/August 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Charging. Client for small favors--May/June 2002 (Entire Newsletter); for budget overage--May/June 2007 (Entire Newsletter); for client-required meetings--March/April 2009 Entire Newsletter); for web budget overage--Jan/Feb 2007 (Entire Newsletter); for occasional activity--July/August 2002 (Entire Newsletter); for archived files--March/April 2009 Entire Newsletter); for font replacement?--Jan/Feb 2007 (Entire Newsletter); when project delayed--Nov/Dec 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Charitable donations. How to handle--March/April 2004 (Entire Newsletter) (Also see "Tax Write Offs.")
Chapter 11. What it means when client declares--May/June 2001 (Entire Newsletter)
Check endorsement. Implications of--June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Clients. Acquiescing to their bad ideas--Sept/Oct 2004 (Entire Newsletter) and July/Auust 2006 (Entire Newsletter); art directing their in-house work--March/April 2009 Entire Newsletter); asking about work slowdowns--May/June 2010 (Entire Newsletter); asking you to sign onerous contracts--May/June 2003 (Entire Newsletter) and July/August 2003 (Entire Newsletter); attempting to keep--Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter); bad writing input from--June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); asking to audit a firm's books--March/April 2005 (Entire Newsletter; become their "design firm of record?"--March/April 2010 (Entire Newsletter); blueline signoff responsibility?--Jan/Feb 2002 (Entire Newsletter); choosing between two--July/August 2009 (Entire Newsletter); choosing between previous and new--May/June 2011 (Entire Newsletter); changing agreements after signing--Jan/Feb 2003 (Entire Newsletter); contacting vendors directly--July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter); dealing with difficult new personnel--October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); dealing with excessive demands--Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter); dealing with their unethical behavior--Jan/Feb 2007 (Entire Newsletter); dealing with job changes from--Sept/Oct 2011 (Entire Newsletter); declining work from notorious ones--Nov/Dec 2010 (Entire Newsletter); delays in handling a project--Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter); conflicts when two are in same industry--Nov/Dec 2003 (Entire Newsletter); dealing with excessive criticism from--Sept/Oct 1999 (Entire Newsletter); dealing with multiple comments from--March/April 2002 (Entire Newsletter); defining value for--July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter); employing a child of--Nov/Dec 2004 (Entire Newsletter); getting late information from--Nov/Dec 2006 (Entire Newsletter; going over one's head--February 2001 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); how to handle those who brain-pick--October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); how to turn down work from "notorious" one--Nov/Dec 2010 (Entire Newsletter); how to tactfully fire a long-time one--October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); hiring away their staff--Nov/Dec 2005 (Entire Newsletter); hiring their layed off staff--Nov/Dec 2005 (Entire Newsletter); how much nurturing?--March/April 2004 (Entire Newsletter); indemnity against "consequential damages"--Nov/Dec 2004 (Entire Newsletter); introducing yours to other creatives--Sept/Oct 2003 (Entire Newsletter); liability for their claims?--May/June 2004 (Entire Newsletter); making multiple calls on before getting a project--March/April 2002 (Entire Newsletter); penalizing for their delays--Jan/Feb 2011 (Entire Newsletter); pre-billing of--Jan/Feb 2003 (Entire Newsletter); pushing them for a decision--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter); qualifying them by budget--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter); more or less loyalty now?--Nov/Dec 2006 (Entire Newsletter; receipt requests--Sept/Oct 2003 (Entire Newsletter); reducing meetings with--May/June 2001 (Entire Newsletter) and Jan/Feb 2010 (Entire Newsletter); responding to a request to breakdown an estimate--July/August 2010 (Entire Newsletter); response after a rip-off--May/June 2004 (Entire Newsletter); responding to a request for invoice credit--July/August 2010 (Entire Newsletter; restrictive contracts--May/June 2003 (Entire Newsletter) and July/August 2003 (Entire Newsletter); risky ones--Sept/Oct 2008 Entire Newsletter); should they pay for their mistake?--Jan/Feb 2002 (Entire Newsletter); sign-offs for creative concepts?-- Jan/Feb 2011 (Entire Newsletter); and June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); telling others when losing one--July/August 2008 (Entire Newsletter); value when transferred to others--Sept/Oct 2009 (Entire Newsletter); what do when declares "Chapter 11"--Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter); what if don't like three concepts?--Nov/Dec 2003 (Entire Newsletter); what to do when they want to use their own printer--Jan/Feb 2003 (Entire Newsletter); wanting to work with you in your office--Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Concepts. Accept project when no production work involved?--Jan/Feb 2010 (Entire Newsletter); executing those developed by another firm--Nov/Dec 2010 (Entire Newsletter); how many to show--July/August 2004 (Entire Newsletter); when others steal yours--Jan/Feb 2002 (Entire Newsletter) & July/August 2002 (Entire Newsletter); who owns those not used?--Nov/Dec 2010 (Entire Newsletter); should client contact present internally?--Jan/Feb 2010 (Entire Newsletter); originality of--Jan/Feb 2002 (Entire Newsletter); recycling for another client--July/August 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Conflicts of interest. In general situations--Nov/Dec 2002 (Entire Newsletter); Jan/Feb 2007 (Entire Newsletter); and July/August 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Cold calling. When selling illustration--Sept/Oct 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Collecting. Before doing more work--July/August 2009 (Entire Newsletter); who should?--July/August 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Commission. For a sub-contractor referral--Sept/Oct 2003 (Entire Newsletter); when combined with salesperson salary--Sept/Oct 2003 (Entire Newsletter) and March/April 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Competition. From "full-service" firms--July/August 2003 (Entire Newsletter)
Computers. Source of used PowerBooks--Nov/Dec 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Contests & sweepstakes. Rules for--Jan/Feb 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Contact lists. Give clients a PR firm's?--Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter)
Contracts. Long term with clients--Jan/Feb 2004 (Entire Newsletter); how detailed for clients?--May/June 2009 (Entire Newsletter); with employees--Jan/Feb 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Copyright. Check when client supplies art?--July/August 2006 (Entire Newsletter); differences between artistic and collaborative work--February 2002 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); ownership rights explained--October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); old movie poster in public domain?--February 2001 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); fair use of Internet material?--Sept/Oct 2003 (Entire Newsletter); international protection?--Nov/Dec 2004 (Entire Newsletter); possible violation in tradeshow theme--Jan/Feb 2011 (Entire Newsletter); possible violation when using a photograph for drawing source--Sept/Oct 2004 (Entire Newsletter); sued by a photographer for violation of--May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter); reproduction of CB materials--Sept/Oct 2004 (Entire Newsletter); reprinting competitor's materials--May/June 2003 (Entire Newsletter); where to place notice--July/August 2009 (Entire Newsletter); who owns Internet graphics?--Sept/Oct 2008 (Entire Newsletter), who owns poster graphics?--February 2002 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Corporate structure. Incorporate or LLC/LLP?--Sept/Oct 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Costs. Breaking down by major function when budgeting?--July/August 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Creative. "Bake off" concerns--Jan/Feb 2010 (Entire Newsletter); other agency/individual using what you did for client--Jan/Feb 2001 (Entire Newsletter), and Nov/Dec 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Creativity. Too sophisticated for direct mail?--Nov/Dec 1999 (Entire Newsletter)
Credit. For web page design--July/August 2004 (Entire Newsletter); when not given in promotion--March/April 2008(Entire Newsletter)
Definitions. Of terms describing your business--March/April 2001 (Entire Newsletter); of capitalized billings--July/August 2005 (Entire Newsletter); of agency of record-July/August 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Delays. How to handle when there is a deposit--Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter) (Also see "Payments" below.)
Deposits. Pay interest on client advances?--Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter)
Development fees. When they are okay--Jan/Feb 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Direct mail. General advice on use of--July/August 2003 (Entire Newsletter); reponse rate on new business promotions--April 1998 (special issue).
Discounts. For early payment--Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter); and February 2001 (special issue)(Entire Newsletter)
Divulging ideas to client. Advisable?--Sept/Oct 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Donations. Of computer equipment--Nov/Dec 2005 (Entire Newsletter); handling requests for--July/August 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Draw accounts. Defined for salespersons--July/August 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
"Editorial we." Proper use of--Nov/Dec 2001 (Entire Newsletter)
Education. How helpful is business?--saying goodbye to toxic ones--July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Effectiveness. Ads vs PR--July/August 2000 (Entire Newsletter)
Employees. Abuse of internet--Nov/Dec 2000 (Entire Newsletter); abuse of refreshment perks--July/August 2008 (Entire Newsletter); accepting "freebies"--October 1999 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); appearance of--October 1999 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); auto expense reimbursement--Sept/Oct 2008 (Entire Newsletter); be required to sell, too?--March/April 2007 (Entire Newsletter); benefits for part-timers?--Nov/Dec 2002 (Entire Newsletter); cell phone abuse by--Nov/Dec 2005 (Entire Newsletter); comp time standards?--Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter); commissions for bringing in work?--May/June 2004 (Entire Newsletter), March/April 2007 (Entire Newsletter) and March/April 2008(Entire Newsletter); dealing with a lazy one--July/August 2005 (Entire Newsletter); dealing with slow but talented one--Sept/Oct 2007 (Entire Newsletter); deception in reason for leaving--Nov/Dec 2011 and Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter); difference between creative and technical significant?--June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); dress code for salesperson--Nov/Dec 2009 (Entire Newsletter); dock for leaving early?--Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter); excessive salary request--Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter); exit interviews for?--Nov/Dec 2003 (Entire Newsletter); calculating billable efficiency of--July/August 2008 (Entire Newsletter); expecting a "piece of the action"--March/April 2008(Entire Newsletter); freelancing--Sept/Oct 2008 (Entire Newsletter), --May/June 2001 (Entire Newsletter), June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter), and October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); freelancing and lying about it--Jan/Feb 2011 (Entire Newsletter); financing their screw ups--March/April 2001 (Entire Newsletter); forbid solicitation of others?--May/June 2002 (Entire Newsletter); former one misrepresenting work on his site--July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter); hiring back a layed off employee as freelance--March/April 2010 (Entire Newsletter), and March/April 2003 (Entire Newsletter); language standards for--Sept/Oct 2002 (Entire Newsletter); include pricing data in job folder for them to see?--October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter) and May/June 2007 (Entire Newsletter); leave without a raise?--October 2004 (Entire Newsletter); maternity leave commissions for?--Sept/Oct 2004 (Entire Newsletter); not heeding estimates--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter); non-competes for enforceable?--October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); overtime meals for?--May/June 2007 (Entire Newsletter); parental leave for?--May/June 2004 (Entire Newsletter); part-time pay for--March/April 2000 (Entire Newsletter); part or full-time replacement?--Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter); obligation to pay--Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter); personal use of company equipment--March/April 2007 (Entire Newsletter); productivity of--May/June 2002 (Entire Newsletter); paying for lunch?--March/April 2004 (Entire Newsletter); reasons for not giving raises--Jan/Feb 2004 (Entire Newsletter); referrals when dismissing--Jan/Feb 2003 (Entire Newsletter); recruitment of through a search firm--October 1999 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); refusing to sign a non-compete agreement--October 1999 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); requesting a raise--Sept/Oct 2011 (Entire Newsletter); salary averages--March/April 2005 (Entire Newsletter); salary sources for--May/June 2002 (Entire Newsletter); salary increases, how often--June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); salary leaked problems--Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter); show them job estimates?--Nov/Dec 2003 (Entire Newsletter); sick time--Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter); taking Web files when leaving?--Nov/Dec 2003 (Entire Newsletter), and October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); theft of files--March/April 2005 (Entire Newsletter) and Jan/Feb 2006 (Entire Newsletter); taking sole credit for work they only contributed to--Nov/Dec 2005 (Entire Newsletter); "their" samples?--Sept/Oct 2009 Entire Newsletter) and Nov/Dec 2003 (Entire Newsletter); training budget for--March/April 2009 Entire Newsletter); taking unearned vacation days--Sept/Oct 2010 (Entire Newsletter); vacation days standards--July/August 2010 (Entire Newsletter); wanting to enter many award shows--Jan/Feb 2005 (Entire Newsletter); working hour exceptions for one--Jan/Feb 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Employment contracts. Explained--Sept/Oct 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Estimates. Employees not meeting--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter); how quick to provide?--March/April 2011 (Entire Newsletter); outside freelancers not meeting--Sept/Oct 2009 Entire Newsletter); still honor a year later?--Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter)
Estimating. Future work--March/April 1999 (Entire Newsletter); how much time to spend on--October 1999 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); how to send estimates to clients--March/April 2003 (Entire Newsletter); how much for production, how much for media--June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); including time in line items?--July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter); recovering from a bad one--June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Ethics. Taking over another firm's work--October 1999 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); telling "white lies" to clients--October 1999 (special issue) and Nov/Dec 1999 (Entire Newsletter)
Evaluating. Determining your financial progress (simple method)--March/April 2001 (Entire Newsletter)
Expenses. What to charge client for traveling on their business--February 2001 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Facilities. Sharing with other creatives--Nov/Dec 2011 (Entire Newsletter); how much space needed--Nov/Dec 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Fees. As a percentage of franchise fees--March/April 2011(Entire Newsletter); average hourly--March/April 2009 Entire Newsletter); ballparking--October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); by value after the fact--Nov/Dec 1999 (Entire Newsletter); charge for employee breaks?--Sept/Oct 2002 (Entire Newsletter); change when job drags on?--Nov/Dec 2001 (Entire Newsletter); charge extra when they send back lawyerly contracts?--February 2001 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); competing with a competitor's low-ball--Jan/Feb 2005 (Entire Newsletter); copyediting--March/April 2006 (Entire Newsletter); discounting to get work--June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter), February 2002 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter) amd Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter); finder's--May/June 2009 (Entire Newsletter), May/June 2004 (Entire Newsletter), May/June 2005 (Entire Newsletter), Jan/Feb 2007 (Entire Newsletter), and May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter); follow-on--March/April 2006 (Entire Newsletter; for additional use--Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter); for concepts--March/April 1999 (Entire Newsletter); for accepted spec work--March/April 2008(Entire Newsletter); for consulting--July/August 2002 (Entire Newsletter); for copyediting--Jan/Feb 2005 (Entire Newsletter); for giving up computer files--Sept/Oct 2004 (Entire Newsletter); for illustration--Nov/Dec 2000 (Entire Newsletter); for marketing plans--July/August 2001 (Entire Newsletter); for overseas versus U. S. work--Nov/Dec 2009 (Entire Newsletter); for packaging--May/June 2006 (Entire Newsletter); for packaging exposure--March/April 2010 (Entire Newsletter); for project coordination--May/June 2001 (Entire Newsletter); for PowerPoint presentation--February 2001 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); for rush work--Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter); for copy by the word--May/June 2009 (Entire Newsletter); for scans and proofs--March/April 2002 (Entire Newsletter); for special meetings--May/June 2010 (Entire Newsletter); for small favors--May/June 2002 (Entire Newsletter); for graphic standards manual--Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter); for travel--March/April 2003 (Entire Newsletter); justifying to clients--Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter); local difficulties--Sept/Oct 2004 (Entire Newsletter); "menu" pricing, when appropriate?--Sept/Oct 2002 (Entire Newsletter); minimum--May/June 2003 (Entire Newsletter); negotiating--July/August 2000 (Entire Newsletter); penalty for work rescheduled?--October 1999 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); logo for international use--Sept/Oct 2011 (Entire Newsletter); post on website?--March/April 2010 (Entire Newsletter); profit sharing with client as an alternative----May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter); reduce for less significant work?--Sept/Oct 2001 (Entire Newsletter); reduce for volume?--Sept/Oct 2010 (Entire Newsletter); return prepayment of?--Sept/Oct 2010 (Entire Newsletter); raising billing rate?--June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter) and Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter); referral see "finders" above; show job fees to employees?--October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); showing on web site--Nov/Dec 2007 (Entire Newsletter); web site different than print--October 1999 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); what's currently typical per hour--jan/Feb 2006 (Entire Newsletter); what to charge when under your estimate?--Sept/Oct 2004 (Entire Newsletter); when not enough time to figure correctly--October 1999 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Fee multiplier. Range--July/August 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Files. Ownership difference between web and print--Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter); ownership when firm breaks up--Nov/Dec 2009 (Entire Newsletter); transferring when closing the business--Nov/Dec 2010(Entire Newsletter)
File archiving. How long required to keep--March/April 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Follow-ups. How many--March/April 2004 (Entire Newsletter); and May/June 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Font use. When client supplies--May/June 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Franchising. Posssible for a creative company?--June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Freelance. Pros and cons of using term--February 2002 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter), and June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Gifts. Guidelines for sending to clients--Jan/Feb 2011 (Entire Newsletter); July/August 2005 (Entire Newsletter), July/August 2006 (Entire Newsletter), and March/April 2009 Entire Newsletter); what should employees be allowed to accept?--October 1999 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Guarantees. Offer of client satisfaction?--Sept/Oct 2008 (Entire Newsletter), and Nov/Dec 2000. (Entire Newsletter)
Honoraria. What's typical?--May/June 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Health Insurance. Pay instead of?--Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Home office. Deduction trap--July/August 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Illustrations. Arrangement for children's book--May/June 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Insurance. Disability, comments on--July/August 2008 (Entire Newsletter); errors and omissions (E&O)--March/April 2008 (Entire Newsletter); NASE health--March/April 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Invoicing. For planning--Sept/Oct 2009 (Entire Newsletter); for idle time--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter); for introductory meeting--Nov/Dec 2011 (Entire Newsletter); pre-billing at end of year--Jan/Feb 2003 (Entire Newsletter)
ISBN numbers. Defined--July/August 2000. (Entire Newsletter)
Kill fee. See "Cancellation fee."
Language. Standards for employees--Sept/Oct 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Layoffs. Can a dismissal be called a layoff?--February 2002 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); concern when older employee is, and younger one isn't--February 2002 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); how to handle client inquiries--March/April 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Liability. For client claims--May/June 2004 (Entire Newsletter); guarantee that work is original?--October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Licensing. Industry terms--Jan/Feb 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Lists. Not giving up name of contacts--Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Logos. Entering unaccepted ones in a show--Nov/Dec 2006 (Entire Newsletter); ownership issues--Sept/Oct 2009 Entire Newsletter); pricing for international use--Sept/Oct 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Lost time. Landlord obligated to compensate for?--Sept/Oct 2003 (Entire Newsletter)
LLC/LLP. Reasons for--March/April 2007 (Entire Newsletter); versus incorporating--Sept/Oct 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Mailing. A new list source--July/August 2003 (Entire Newsletter)
Marketing. Cost as a percentage of income--July/August 2009 (Entire Newsletter); why it is necessary despite your success--October 1999 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); saving an account threatened by competitors--February 2001 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); setting up service for design firms--February 2002 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); set up an incentive plan for employees?--February 2002 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); using insider contacts for--Sept/Oct 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Markups. Getting a printer's commission instead of--Jan/Feb 2010 (Entire Newsletter); differerent for talent vesus products?--Sept/Oct 2005 (Entire Newsletter); indicate on invoices?--Nov/Dec 2011 (Entire Newsletter); for inexpensive stock photos-March/April 2008(Entire Newsletter); how much for freelance talent--Nov/Dec 2004 (Entire Newsletter); what's reasonable for different size print jobs--February 2002 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Media commissions. What should be included?--July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Media ratings. Use of--Sept/Oct 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Mistakes. Funding with a screw-up account--May/June 2011 (Entire Newsletter); responsibility for direct mail files--March/April 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Moving. Take clients with you?--February 2002 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); considerations--May/June 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Name. Changing your company's--Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter) and May/June 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Newsletters. Selling clients on doing a PDF version--February 2001 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Non-compete agreements. Effect on clients when their favorite employee leaves--Jan/Feb 2006 (Entire Newsletter); for part-time employeess?--Nov/Dec 2010 (Entire Newsletter); how valid when a colleague talks to other prospects?--Sept/Oct 2007 (Entire Newsletter); when employees refuse to sign--October 1999 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); enforceable?--October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Not-for-profit marketing. Problems they have with it--July/August 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Office. Clients visiting home office--Jan/Feb 2004 (Entire Newsletter) and Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter); copywriter criteria for outside office--May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Originality. Disclaimer statement about--March/April 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Ownership. Effect when client is acquired--Sept/Oct 2007 (Entire Newsletter); of project notes--May/June 2003. (Entire Newsletter)
Opportunities. Is working anywhere feasible?--June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Partner. Determining company value when bring in new--February 2002 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); fair pay when one works harder--Nov/Dec 2004 (Entire Newsletter); problems with--July/August 2000 (Entire Newsletter); pricing a buy-out of--March/April 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Pay (for project). Why not more when project is successful?--October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); with client stock or equityMay/June 2011 (Entire Newsletter); freelancer who screwed up?--Nov/Dec 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Pay and benefits. Percentage of a firm's income--May/June 2000 (Entire Newsletter)
Payments. By incentive--July/August 1999 (Entire Newsletter); delayed--July/August 2001 (Entire Newsletter) & March/April 2000 (Entire Newsletter); delayed by agency until they get paid--October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); progress payment reluctance--Nov/Dec 2006 (Entire Newsletter; returning unused pre-pay--May/June 2011 (Entire Newsletter); receiving less than invoiced--Sept/Oct 2009 (Entire Newsletter); shutting off work when clients don't pay--March/April 2003 (Entire Newsletter); use credit cards or web services for out of town clients?--February 2001 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Penalty clause. Required by client--May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Permissions. From billboard advertisers to show their signs--June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Photos. Guidelines for using when people or objects are identifiable--Nov/Dec 2006 (Entire Newsletter; ownership rights to--Jan/Feb 1999 (Entire Newsletter); background trademarks a problem?--May/June 2010 (Entire Newsletter); okay to use pictures of private houses?--February 2001 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); okay to show billboards?--June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Plagiarizing. When another steals your concept--July/August 2002 (Entire Newsletter), and October 2004 (special issue)(Entire Newsletter); when copying a common form?--March/April 2009 Entire Newsletter)
Positioning. What is good one?--Jan/Feb 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Portfolio. Drop offs?--Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter); mention past employees' contributions?--July/August 2001 (Entire Newsletter); what's okay to include?--October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
PowerPoint presentation. How to handle--July/August 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Preferred supplier/vendor. Documentation for?--Jan/Feb 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Presentations. Charging for when out-of-town--Nov/Dec 2007 (Entire Newsletter); checking back when there is no response--May/June 2005 (Entire Newsletter); difference between process and portfolio--Jan/Feb 2011 (Entire Newsletter); how many should sales rep make in a week?--May/June 2005 (Entire Newsletter); how others work as style examples?--Sept/Oct 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Press releases. Who submits?--July/August 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Pre-payment by client. Guidelines--Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter); when client requests--Jan/Feb 2003 (Entire Newsletter)
Pricing. (See "Fees")
Printers. Divulging whom you use--July/August 2005 (Entire Newsletter); response when client wants to use their own--Jan/Feb 2003 (Entire Newsletter);
Printing salespeople. Typical sales commissions--Jan/Feb 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Prints. How much to charge for?--May/June 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Print brokering. Losing markup when clients go direct--Sept/Oct 2001 (Also see "Printers") (Entire Newsletter)
Pro-Bono. Handling request by not-for-profit--October 2004 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); selling to work to other clients--May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Profit. Calculation of--July/August (Entire Newsletter); 2010 Divulging to client--Sept/Oct 2004 (Entire Newsletter); typical margins for a creative firm--Jan/Feb 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Progress tracking. A simple, non-electronic means--March/April 2001 (Entire Newsletter)
Promotion. Agreements when pitching clients jointly?--Nov/Dec 2001 (Entire Newsletter); exaggeration when doing (permissible puffery)--May/June 2005 (Entire Newsletter); hard-times strategy--Nov/Dec 2001 (Entire Newsletter); use of "editorial we" in material--Nov/Dec 2001 (Entire Newsletter)
Promises. When clients promise future work for lower prices today--Nov/Dec 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Proofs. Signature standards--May/June 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Proposals. Charging for--Sept/Oct 2009 receiving less than invoiced--Sept/Oct 2009 (Entire Newsletter) (Also see "Estimates")
Public relations. Figuring value of--July/August 2001 (Entire Newsletter) and Sept/Oct 2001 (additional comments on) (Entire Newsletter)
Rate sheets. How to handle prospects' requests for--May/June 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
References. How to respond when client asks for--Nov/Dec 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Referrals. Discount for client who gives?--May/June 2003 (Entire Newsletter); to a client--July/August 2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Relocating. Prior to retirement--July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Rent. Typical facilities costs--Sept/Oct 2001 (Entire Newsletter)
Reprinting. At your expense?--July/August 2003 (Entire Newsletter)
Reproduction rights. How all-inclusive?--July/August 2000 (Entire Newsletter)
Resignation letter. To toxic client--July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Retainer. Charging more for overtime--May/June 2010 (Entire Newsletter); getting out of a mistake--Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter)
Revisions. Charging for--May/June 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
RFPs/RFQs. Answering questions on--July/August 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
ROI. For client's website--July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Royalty payments. For designing T shirt--Nov/Dec 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Rush job. Paperwork--July/August 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Rush (up) charges. Should you assess?--May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter) and Jan/Feb 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Salaries. Business necessary to justify--Nov/Dec 2009 (Entire Newsletter); comparative sources for employees--May/June 2002 (Entire Newsletter) and July/August 2004 (Entire Newsletter); excessive request for--Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter); for a senior creative person--Jan/Feb 1999 (Entire Newsletter); for account executive--Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter); for new sales person--February 2001 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter) and March/April 2001 (Entire Newsletter); for part-time sales person--February 2001 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); for part-time student--July/August 2011 (Entire Newsletter); response when leaked--Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter); setting for a partner--March/April 2006 (Entire Newsletter); versus commission for sales person--October 1999 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Samples. Denying use of--May/June 2005 (Entire Newsletter) and Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter); showing work that's been modified--July/August 2001 (Entire Newsletter); what can you show?--July/August 2002 (Entire Newsletter)
Sales rep. Commissions when no work involved--May/June 2002 (Entire Newsletter) and Jan/Feb 2007 (Entire Newsletter); commissions/salary for part-time--October 1999 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); establishing a draw account for-Nov/Dec 2010 (Entire Newsletter);for internet portals--May/June 2009 May/June 2009 (Entire Newsletter); hiring considerations for small firm--Sept/Oct 2006 (Entire Newsletter); sales/AE compensation--March/April 2002 (Entire Newsletter) and March/April 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Sales tax. What standards?--May/June 2000 (Entire Newsletter); also May/June 2006 (Entire Newsletter)
Scanning. Ads for use okay?--Jan/Feb 2001 (Entire Newsletter)
Screw-up account. To fund mistakes--May/June 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
SEO services. Others sell to your clients?--Jan/Feb 2012 (Entire Newsletter)
Showing your work. Others doing so without your permission--Sept/Oct 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Signoffs. What's sufficient (legal)?--May/June 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Skills. What's needed for designer in future--Nov/Dec 2003 (Entire Newsletter)
Software. ACT upgrades or replacement?--Nov/Dec 2001 (Entire Newsletter); contact management (CRM) addition--June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); resizing--May/June 2004 (Entire Newsletter) and July/August 2004 (Entire Newsletter); additional FileMaker management capabilities--Jan/Feb 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Sources. Hiding identity of a printer--July/August 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Sophistication. Too much for direct mail?--Nov/Dec 1999 (Entire Newsletter)
Specs. Client using yours to solicit other bids--June 2003 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter)
Spec presentations. Avoiding generally--Jan/Feb 2003 (Entire Newsletter); rationale and agreement--Jan/Feb 2004 (Entire Newsletter); why our business is different--May/June 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Stalled job. Increase fee for?--Nov/Dec 2009 (Entire Newsletter); moving it along--May/June 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Stock Photography. System for pricing?-- Sept/Oct 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Sub-contractor. Being blindsided by--March/April 2003 (Entire Newsletter)
Sub-contracting. By out of state studio--March/April 2006 copyediting--March/April 2006 (Entire Newsletter); protection when--March/April 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Taglines. Copyright them?--Nov/Dec 2003 (Entire Newsletter)
Tax write offs. Explained--July/August 2008 (Entire Newsletter); for only partial payment--Sept/Oct 2011 (Entire Newsletter); why none for charitable work--March/April 2009 Entire Newsletter), March/April 2011 (Entire Newsletter); and May/June 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Teaming. Agreements when pitching clients jointly?--Nov/Dec 2001 (Entire Newsletter); when team member treats you like an employee--July/August 2002 (Entire Newsletter); when another wants to promote you--Sept/Oct 2001 (Entire Newsletter); when client wants to meet--Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter); with someone incompatible--May/June 2010 (Entire Newsletter); when client asks you to team with another person--July/August 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Testimonials. Use after one is deceased?--May/June 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Time tracking. Employees'--February 2001 (special issue) (Entire Newsletter); for non-billable as well as billable employees?--Sept/Oct 2007 (Entire Newsletter)
Trademarks. Registration process--Sept/Oct 2011 (Entire Newsletter); guarantee of registerability?--Jan/Feb 2011 (Entire Newsletter); research of--March/April 2005 (Entire Newsletter); where is first use?--Nov/Dec 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Tradename parody. Risk of--Nov/Dec 2006 (Entire Newsletter
Travel charges. How much--March/April 2003 (Entire Newsletter); March/April 2007 (Entire Newsletter) and May/June 2007; educating (problems trying to)--May/June 2007 (Entire Newsletter); for overtime--July/August 2006 (Entire Newsletter); when you don't know if you will get the projectMay/June 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Trust account. For holding job deposit--Sept/Oct 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Typos. Responsibility for--May/June 2000 (Entire Newsletter)
Vacation. Coverage for--May/June 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Value proposition. Term defined--Jan/Feb 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Video animation. Provide copy to freelance who worked on it?--Nov/Dec 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Web hosting. Cutting off for non-payment--March/April 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Web samples. When done elsewhere--March/April 2009 Entire Newsletter)
Web sites. Credit line on clients'?--March/April 2007 (Entire Newsletter); criteria for a good one--July/August 2008 (Entire Newsletter); guaranteeing security of--Jan/Feb 2008 (Entire Newsletter); important to list staff on?--Sept/Oct 2001 (Entire Newsletter); client contact sites helpful in marketing?--Jan/Feb 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Web updates. Additional fees--May/June 2009 (Entire Newsletter)
Weighted sales forecasts. Defined--May/June 2008 (Entire Newsletter)
Work-for-hire. Should CB make forms available?--July/August 2002 (Entire Newsletter); signing when your company is a corporation--Jan/Feb 2001 (Entire Newsletter); when client wants everything ever discussed--Nov/Dec 2007 (Entire Newsletter); when doing logos/marks--Jan/Feb 2001 (Entire Newsletter), and May/June--2004 (Entire Newsletter)
Working for sales percentage. Advisable?--Sept/Oct 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Working in-house. Response to client who wants you to--Nov/Dec 2007 (Entire Newsletter)

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CREATIVE BUSINESS NEWSLETTER FORMS INDEX

The following index lists useful forms that have been reproduced in available issues of the Creative Business newsletter.

"360-degree" feedback. July/August 2002, page 7 (Entire Newsletter)
Advertising agent agreement. March/April 2011, page 6 (Entire Newsletter) (Form included in Article)
Advertising insertion order. (Form included in Article)
Appointment letter. July/August 2005, page 4 (Free Form)
Assignment questionnaire. (See "Creative brief questionnaire)
Balance sheet. May/June 2007, page 9 (Entire Newsletter)
Business plan (detailed). (Form included in Article)
Business plan (simple). (Form included in Article)
Business Trend Tracker. Nov/Dec 2008, page 7 (Entire Newsletter, Free Form)
Bylaws sample page. July/August 2007, page 9 (Entire Newsletter)
Change order. Nov/Dec 2002, page 9 (Entire Newsletter) (Form included in Article)
Client backgrounder. June 2008 (special issue), page 7 (Entire Newsletter, Free Form)
Client survey. Jan/Feb 2008, pages 5 and 6 (Entire Newsletter, Free Form)
Communications audit report. February 2009 (special issue), pages 7 & 8 (Entire Newsletter, Article)
Communications auditing forms. February 2009 (special issue) page 6 (Entire Newsletter, Article)
Contact list. Database template--May/June 2003, page 4 (Entire Newsletter)
Contingency plan. (See "Emergency planning")
Creative brief questionnaire. June 2008 (special issue), page 7 (Entire Newsletter); August 2010 (special), page 3 (Entire Newsletter) Free Form)
Creative briefing presentation letter. Jan/Feb 2002, page 4 (Entire Newsletter)
Creative review checklist. August 2010 (special), page 7 (Entire Newsletter); June 2008 (special) issue, page 9 (Entire Newsletter); Jan/Feb 2008, page 3 (Entire Newsletter); July/August 2006, page 9 (Entire Newsletter) (Free Form)
Emergency planning. April 2006 (special issue), page 7 (Entire Newsletter, Free Form)
Employee application. (Free Form)
Employee evaluation and salary adjustment. (Free Form)
Employee productivity record. (Entire Newsletter, Free Form)
Employee job description. (Free Form)
Employee handbook sample. April 2002 (special issue), pages 6, 7, & 8 (Entire Newsletter, Article)
Employee profitability record. March/April 2009, page 3 Entire Newsletter, Free Form)
Estimate letter. (Form included in Article)
Estimating worksheet. (Free Form)
How we work. (Free Form)
Indemnification statement for proposals. July/August 2003, page 4 (Entire Newsletter)
Intern job description. May/June 2008, page 5 (Entire Newsletter, Free Form)
Intern welcome letter. May/June 2008, page 6 (Entire Newsletter, Free Form)
Illustration questionnaire. (Free Form)
Job description (junior designer). May/June 2011, page 7 May/June 2011 (Entire Newsletter)
Letter of agreement. (Form included in Article)
Marketing plan worksheet. March/April 2003, page 9 (Entire Newsletter, Free Form)
Mission statement. (Free Form)
Model Release. (Free Form)
Naming recommendations letter. Sept/Oct 2006, page 8 (Entire Newsletter)
Non-compete agreement (employee). Jan/Feb 2012, page 9 (Entire Newsletter), and (Free Form)
Non-disclosure agreement. (Free Form)
Ownership of copyright and files. May/June 2010 (Entire Newsletter)
Paid spec letter. Sept/Oct 2004, page 7 (Entire Newsletter)
Press release. (Free Form)
Professional standards of practice (ethics statement). (Free Form)
Profit & Loss statement. May/June 2007, page 8 (Entire Newsletter)
Project budgeting. Nov/Dec 2007, page 7 and March/April 2005, page 4 (Free Form)
Proof sign-off. July/August 2002, page 3 (Entire Newsletter) (Form included in Article)
Proofing authorization. July/August 2002, page 4 (Entire Newsletter) (Form included in Article)
Proposal (detailed). (Form included in Article)
Proposal for consulting activity. Nov/Dec 2004, page 9 (Entire Newsletter)
Proposal for planning activity. Nov/Dec 2004, page 9 (Entire Newsletter)
Proposal for graphic standards manual. (Form included in Article)
Proposal for Inter(ra)net (Web) project. May/June 2005 (Entire Newsletter)
Prospecting letters. For new business--May/June 2003, page 2 (Entire Newsletter); for graphic standards manual--April 2003 (special issue), pages 4 & 5. (Entire Newsletter) (Form included in Article)
Purchase order. July/August 2003, page 7 (Entire Newsletter)
Referral letter. March/April 2004, page 7 (Article, Entire Newsletter, Free Form)
Release compliance letter. Jan/Feb 2010, page 5 (Free Form)
Retainer agreement. March/April 2011, page 7 (Entire Newsletter) (Form included in Article)
Self-employment value calculator. July/August 1999, page 7 (Entire Newsletter)
Single-sourcing benefits rationale. Nov/Dec 2011, page 7 (Entire Newsletter)
Solicitation letter to downsizing in-house dept. May/June 2009, page 9 (Entire Newsletter)
Spec presentations (why we don't make). (Free Form)
Statement of net worth. Nov/Dec 2004, page 3 (Entire Newsletter)
Subcontracting forms. Jan/Feb 2012, page 9 (Entire Newsletter) and May/June 2006, page 2 (Entire Newsletter)
Survey, client. Nov/Dec 2010, page 7 (Entire Newsletter), Free Mail Form)
SWOT analysis. Nov/Dec 2011, page 9 (Entire Newsletter, Free Form)
Time sheet. (Free Form)
Trend Tracker. (See "Business Trend Tracker")
Valuation worksheet. (Form included in Article)
Value proposition worksheet. Jan/Feb 2006, page 2 (Free Form)
Website hosting contract. March/April 2011, page 7 (Entire Newsletter)
Work-for-hire agreement. (Free Form)
Workstation exercises. (Free Form)

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