Based on your business need to diversify your income base, this may be a good time to look into licensing your work. Many manufacturers have a product development department but still need to fulfill the creative aspects of their products and this has opened up new opportunities for you. Publishers are always looking for fresh ideas, creative design and artwork to attain a competitive edge for their retail paper products.

Building relationships does not just “happen” for you. You need to keep your fears from overcoming good business sense.  You need to keep your clients coming back and paying your price.  You need to become more aware of the courtship and bonding in the creative/client relationship. You need a plan to go beyond the sales call.

Check out five ways to keep from losing your mind, handle difficult clients and get through stressful projects! Most stress in a business based on creative services comes from trying to balance conflicting needs, especially on client projects. It’s a familiar quandary: You have to meet the client’s needs and you want to be creative. You need to dedicate yourself to your business and you want to spend time with your family and friends.