Ask Me Anything About Being a Creative Director
Okay, so you’re creative. And you can direct stuff? You should definitely be a creative director. I got some questions on my Instagram and realized that yall are so curious about my creative career, so in today’s video I’m going to answer all your questions about being a creative director.
What does a creative director do?
Primarily a creative director is responsible for developing the creative vision for a project based on client goals and budget. This usually includes pitching concepts and working with the creative team to execute that vision.
It’s a lot more left-brain thinking than I think most people imagine.
It’s managing budgets, building timelines, sourcing freelancers, and managing cross-departmental relationships.
Then there’s reviewing the work of your team, investing in their growth, and creating a great place for them to work.
What skills do you need to be a good creative director?
There are different needs based on the internal and external function of the job.
So externally, you’re working with clients in a service-based role. So you need to be a good public speaker so you can clearly present concepts to clients in a way that convinces them to buy.
You have to be quick on your feet because you will get any number of questions from a variety of different directions.
And you need to be confident and willing to push back when necessary. This is a balancing act because while you should be an expert in your field, your client should also be an expert in their specific business or industry.
Internally, you have to have the core creative skills necessary for the company you work for.
This can vary, but in working for digital marketing agencies, I need a deep understanding of copywriting, graphic design, short form and long-form content creation, digital advertising best practices primarily for google and social ads, UI and UX design primarily for landing page creation.
And then you need interpersonal skills to make the relationships work at your company. For example, you have your core creative team. These would be your immediate bosses you’re trying to impress. And then you have the team members you’re managing. You’re trying to help them make the best work possible and set them up for success in getting the career growth that they want to be successful.
But then you also are working with other teams and department heads. In my experience, I worked closely with incredible account executives, project managers, strategists, paid media managers, and digital experience designers. And there’s so much give and take because every team is integral to the success of the project. So you’re negotiating timelines.
What was your path to becoming a creative director?
So we’ll start with the professional path and then we’ll talk through the side hustles.
I started as a web designer at a small agency. It was teeny tiny (like 5 employees), so I was doing some account management, as well as building sites and doing graphic design.
Then I worked at a large agency as a graphic designer. This was a more traditional regional agency with about 200 employees, so I had the opportunity to work on a few TV commercials, branding projects, and lots of print work.
I took a sharp left and went to get my master’s degree in arts administration because I wanted to open my own art gallery…that did not work out… So I worked at a museum and then at an arts high school for 3 years as a communications manager.
The value of going back to school was that I learned a lot about Marketing and Business and it stoked my desire to start my own company.
So I launched a design studio and did branding, web design, and marketing services. I ran that business for 3 years and this was where I learned how to manage freelancers and interns. This was pivotal in me gaining confidence as a leader and prepared me to officially use the title Creative Director.
My next job was as a creative director for a digital agency that primarily focused on online advertising and social media management. About 20 employees. And this was my opportunity to really learn how to be an empathetic leader. At this company, I cultivated the skill of genuinely investing in my team and their growth and learned how to navigate just about any creative problem that pops up.
Then I moved to Austin and worked for a digital marketing agency that had been recently acquired by a larger consulting firm. There were hundreds of employees globally, but probably 100 people in our office. This was the agency that taught me how to do design thinking workshops and just vastly increased my capacity for meaningful presentation design and incredible storytelling.
Worth noting, along the way I had a variety of side hustles that helped me to gain other professional experience.
I almost always was doing some sort of web and graphic design freelancing for almost all of my career.
I also created a local publication for millennials about the city of New Orleans. I ran that for 6 years and published 4 print issues and a few books.
I co-founded a conference for creators and was responsible for curating the experience and speakers and doing digital marketing to promote the event.
And I launched a weekly newsletter that I still run today. It’s called SoCurious and its a weekly pep talk and thoughtful recommendations that you should subscribe to.
I’m going to make a whole video about how side hustles changed my life, but that’s the general overview.
What’s your favorite part of being a creative director?
I love presenting. Its nerve-racking, but I genuinely just love the process of taking a loose idea and turning it into something meaningful that connects with the hearts and minds of people.
That’s really what advertising is. Creative storytelling with a specific goal in mind.
What your least favorite part?
Working at an ad agency is so hectic. You’re usually managing 3-4 clients at any given moment, so your focus is always split between a lot of different priorities. While I love a little chaos, I also like the opportunity to deeply reflect and have time to process. Its a fast-paced environment so there’s not always the opportunity to slow down and think.
What is it like being a black man in the agency world?
It’s interesting to be honest.. working in the agency world as a black, gay man. It has its ups and it has its downs.
Generally speaking, most of the large agencies I worked for had very few people black people working in the creative department, which can be challenging. For me, it often showed up in the references that people share. Someone on the team will make a joke about something and I just won’t get it because I haven’t seen that movie or watched that show.
And often times it would feel like I was the only person that didn’t get the reference which could be super awkward.
I made it my personal mission to connect with the other people of color at the agency and made sure to join the affinity groups and attend the meetings. These created a safe space to chat through issues and get a second opinion on the subtle and not-so-subtle microaggressions. Because even the most liberal-minded employers occasionally will say and do things that make you feel uncomfortable.
And every once in a while you will deal with clients that don’t want to work with you because they don’t expect someone that looks like you to be in this position.
For me, that pushback was fuel. I focused a lot of my attention on becoming smarter, faster, and more kind. I also made sure that everything I presented was well-researched and thoughtful. It’s hard because we live in an imperfect world. But in order to make it, especially as a person of color you have to be great to even make it in the door.
How do I get my feet in the door?
The best advice I have for someone that wants to become a creative director is to become an expert at either art direction or copywriting. And once you’ve mastered one, you need to refine your taste in the other so you can give great feedback to your team.
Coming from a design background, I focused a lot of attention on learning how to tell better stories and specifically how to write incredible headlines. This was a meaningful way to differentiate myself because I could take ideas from my team members and build on them. This inspires confidence in your capacity to review your team’s work
Outside of mastering art direction and copywriting, you also have to cultivate other skills. Mentor junior employees, take continuing education classes that are focused on business and marketing, and learn to confidently present. These skills are really the most necessary thing to growing into the role of a Creative Director.
Real Talk: You Deserve Peace
We are all so multi-dimensional.
a combination of our good days and bad days.
our successes and our failures.
our happiest moments and our saddest times
I think the goal of mental wellness and self-care is walking the journey of becoming a better you.
a more fulfilled self
a more loving and kind version of you.
still complicated, of course,
but a little more at peace.
This week’s challenge:
Write a letter to your future self. Say something kind. Say something encouraging. And remind yourself of something you’re learning right now that will benefit future you.
Side Hustle Ideas for Creative People
These side hustle ideas for creative people (writers, artists, and content creators) could help you earn $1000 per month from home.
Life is increasingly becoming more and more expensive and it never hurts to have multiple sources of income. But it can be hard to come up with a revenue stream that works for your personality type. So I’ve curated a list of side hustle ideas tailor-made for creative people.
According to Zapier one in three Americans has a side hustle. Here are a few reasons why you might need to make a little extra money:
- To pay off debt
- To build a nest egg
- To stay at home with children
- To diversify your income streams
- To prepare for a move
- To save for a down payment on a car or house
- To plan a vacation
- To support a family member
But regardless of your reason, who wouldn’t want to make an extra $1000 a month?
In this article, we’ll explore a variety of ways for creative people to earn a little extra money with side hustles separated into three groups: writers, artists, and content creators.
Best side hustle ideas for writers
Become a freelance writer
Whether it’s writing articles for news sites or doing copywriting for landing pages, there are a variety of ways for freelance writers to make money online. Sites like Upwork and Fiverr have created marketplaces where businesses can connect with you to do project-based work.
Start an email newsletter
Newsletters are the best touchpoint for connecting with an audience. Instead of needing to connect with your audience with social media, you can build a trusting relationship with your audience in more personal ways.
Make revenue from your newsletter with:
- Sponsored Ads
- Paid newsletters
- Online Courses
- Coaching and Consulting
Self-publish a book
Both nonfiction and fiction books are lucrative ways to use your skills as a writer to make additional income. After writing your book, you can self-publish it through platforms like Amazon’s Kindle Digital Publishing and sell it via the Amazon store directly to your audience.
Become a proofreader
For people obsessed with grammar and great attention to detail, proofreading is an excellent way to make money. Most online businesses are creating lots of content and that content needs to be thoroughly reviewed before it goes up on sites.
Write and edit resumes
With the economy changing so much, it’s a useful skill to know how to write and edit resumes. Sometimes the easiest way to make money is to help other people make money. Learn the best practices in helping people pivot to new careers and you could build a lucrative side hustle.
Best Side Hustle Ideas for Artists
Sell printables and digital downloads
Printables and digital downloads are an effective way to make additional revenue without the headache of managing physical merchandise. Making and selling downloadable art prints, workbooks, and other digital downloads could become a lucrative side hustle with a little upfront work and the right audience.
Sell your crafts and artwork
If you regularly make physical art objects, you can sell them online to your customers with a Shopify website or Etsy store.
Use a print-on-demand service
The easiest way to test a concept is to put your artwork on products with a print-on-demand service. With no upfront costs, you can quickly learn what ideas sell the best with your customers and don’t have the headache of finding manufacturers or the upfront costs of production, storage, and shipping. Items usually include art prints, mugs, and t-shirts.
Self-publish a coloring book
For illustrators that want to make extra money, you can self-publish your own coloring book with Amazon’s Kindle Print on Demand. All you need to do is define an audience and create compelling artwork that connects with that group of people.
Best side hustle ideas for content creators
Start a Youtube Channel
Youtube continues to be one of the best ways for creative people to make additional income online. With a dedicated schedule of content creation, you can build revenue from Youtube’s ad network. As you continue to grow you can also find your own sponsors and sell products, courses, and digital downloads.
Sell an online course
Online courses are the best way to take the knowledge you’ve gained to support the growth of someone else. You can sell your own online courses on a platform like Teachable or Podia. Or you can sell your courses through a marketplace like Udemy.
Sell creative services for other businesses
If being behind the scenes is more your speed there are a variety of ways for content creators to start a side hustle. Some ideas include:
- Editing videos for Youtube or social media
- Doing graphic design services
- Designing and building websites
- Designing and selling templates
- Doing freelance photography
- Creating content for small businesses
- Run social ads for people
Launch a Patreon account
If you already regularly make content, one interesting way to monetize your audience is to launch a Patreon account. Patreon allows people that love your work to pay you monthly for access to behind-the-scenes or other special content.
Start a blog or a podcast
While it might feel like blogging and podcasts are saturated markets, there’s always room for you to create consistent content and build a following. Blogs and podcasts with a large enough following can sell ads, sponsorship, and affiliate marketing. They also can be great ways to promote your own courses and products.
Become an Influencer
Building an audience online can be hard, but once you’ve built your social following, you can monetize your social platform with sponsorship from other brands that align with your lifestyle.
Sell online coaching and consulting
If you have specific expertise and love connecting with people and businesses one on one, one lucrative way to make additional income is to sell online coaching and consulting. Coaches meet one on one or in small groups with people to help them to achieve business or personal goals. Consulting is the process of working with a business to achieve a specific business goal using your knowledge.
Become a virtual assistant
With so many small businesses online, you can make consistent revenue as a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants provide administrative support on a part-time basis, executing tasks like research, checking emails, booking flights, data entry, and light graphic design.
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Best tools, software, and apps for creators
The thing about vulnerability
I used to think being vulnerable was foolish.
I was afraid to let people see my true emotions.
They saw the good happy parts, but I hid away the sadness. I masked the anger. I held back the tears.
But now I know better.
I know that vulnerability is actually strength.
Vulnerability is confidence.
Vulnerability is knowing that despite what you share and how you share it, you are powerful and strong and can survive anything.
Something to ponder: Am I more comfortable giving or receiving? Why is that? How can I find greater balance in giving and receiving?
Best tools, software, and apps for creators
With so many options, it’s hard to know what tools you actually need for your creator business. That’s where I come in to help. As a full-time creator, author, and coach I’ve tested a variety of tools, software, and apps to run my creative business. In this post, I’ll highlight my favorite tools for content creators.
Please note: This article includes some affiliate links, but I promise that everything on this list is actually something I have personally used and recommend.
Best tools for creators to build a website and do email marketing
I live and breathe WordPress. While it takes some time to get used to, with the right plugins and theme, you can build a highly optimized site that drives traffic with SEO. There are lots of competitors, but I always find myself coming back to this easy way to build a website.
My go-to theme for WordPress is Divi by Elegant Themes. Divi is a drag-and-drop WordPress page builder that allows you to easily customize your site without much fuss.
I bought my first few domain names with GoDaddy, but I’ve found that I prefer Hostgator overall. Starting out, you can sign up for the lowest plan and as your site grows you can update.
An email marketing system: Mailchimp, Flodesk or ConvertKit
For starting out I always recommend using Mailchimp. It’s the easiest way to get started without spending any money. This tool is good for creating a weekly email newsletter and allows you to test the waters as you grow your first 500 subscribers. It also scales with you as you grow and can be adapted to build out email sequences.
But as I’ve scaled, I personally prefer the functionality of Flodesk and Convertkit.
Both of these email marketing systems have beautiful design and really simple automation features. Flodesk is more visually appealing and has really simple ease of use for people that aren’t that technical. ConvertKit has a lot more functionality, bells, and whistles. But it has a little more of a learning curve.
Best tools for the financial side of your creative business
When running my freelance business, Freshbooks was the easiest way to track expenses, send invoices, and monitor the key reports for running my business.
This is the standard credit card processing system that you have to sign up for to use most services. Think of it as an alternative to Paypal, which personally feels a little more high-end. I use it for creating quick invoices and for building out simple checkout pages. It also links directly to the WordPress donations plugin.
This is the tool I’ve used for my “Pay What You Want” products. Gumroad is a super simple interface that allows you to quickly sell digital products and add a quick checkout to your page.
This is the industry standard for building an online shop. Building your first site is relatively quick and they have a host of plugins to optimize your shop easily.
This is the print-on-demand software that I use to send art prints, t-shirts, and other products. The print quality tends to be top notch and the delivery time is relatively fast.
This digital software allows creators to accept small monthly donations from their followers, essentially creating a paywall for specific content. I’m a super fan of the ease of signup and it’s become a prime source for monetizing an audience without needing to code.
Best software and apps for content creators
Coming up as a graphic designer the Adobe Creative Suite is the gold standard for creating anything. I use Indesign to design my workbooks. I use Illustrator to turn my illustrations into vectors. I use Lightroom to batch edit photos. While it’s a financial commitment to buy this series of programs it’s actually quite useful in the day-to-day of running my creative business. One caveat, unless you are explicitly selling graphic and web design services, you might not actually need the Adobe Creative Suite.
When I downloaded this app, it changed my life. For a small fee, you have access to the easiest way to draw on your iPad. It’s incredibly intuitive, but with a little research you can learn a variety of hidden tools in the program. If you’re an illustrator of any sort, you need this app.
While Adobe is the gold standard, Canva has a simplicity and ease of use that can’t be beat. I use it to make most of my social graphics and it’s also the primary way that I make the title cards for my Youtube videos. It’s so quick and easy to make simple animations and quick graphics. They also have a huge array of templates you can customize to get your business up and running very quickly
OBS is an open-source software that allows you to record and stream video. I use it to record my Youtube videos straight into my computer. I love this tool because it allows me to rewatch a video clip on my monitor immediately after I film so I can know if I need to do a reshoot.
I have trouble remembering my lines, so I write full scripts for each of my videos. Then I use this teleprompter app so I can record the videos. In addition to the traditional teleprompter option where the text scrolls up automatically, it also has an incredible feature where it listens to you talk and moves the words.
When recording short-form video on my cell phone, if I need to read a script I love to use the teleprompter app. It allows you to record yourself while reading (which unfortunately I wasn’t able to figure out with the Prompt+ app).
I use Capcut on my phone and Desktop to add effects to my video. It comes in handy for removing the background on videos and adding other types of special effects and cuts.
This was a game changer in the video editing process because it allows you to visually edit your content as if it were a word document. This allows you to easily cut out your filler words like “um” and “like” without needing to go in and chop up the videos. But the feature that I love the most are the fancy captions. Using the transcript from the video, you can easily add dynamic captions to your videos for social media.
Best tech for content creators
Almost every creative person I know is in the Mac family. I was converted in early college and I genuinely cannot imagine going back to a PC. What I love about this Macbook is the ease of use, the smooth click of the keys, and how it tends to do well with video.
For most of my short-form video, I opt to use my iPhone. It’s quick and easy and you don’t have to fuss with too many settings to get some beautiful content.
This is the most important possession that I own. I use it to draw, plan, edit, write, design…literally everything. The Macbook Pro is of course very meaningful for doing long-term work, but the iPad was genuinely a game-changer for my illustration career and is the quickest way to do social media content editing.
Sony A6400 Camera and AC Power Adapter NP-FW50 Dummy Battery Kit
This is the perfect camera for the intermediate video content creator. I love that it has detachable lenses and I especially love that I can plug it directly into my computer. There was a bit of a learning curve to learning all of the settings, but with some dedicated practice, I’ve learned how to light and film in manual mode.
Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Sony
I wanted a wide lens that still could create a blurry background in my small apartment. This is the perfect lens for that use case.
HDMI Video Capture Card and Micro HDMI to HDMI Cable
This capture card and cable allow me to connect my camera to my laptop so I can record video straight to my desktop. I love to review my footage after every take and this helps to make sure that I’ve gotten the footage I need with ease.
Nothing too fancy, but I’ve had this tabletop tripod for over six months with no problems. It’s strong enough to sit on my desk and hold my Sony camera.
Double-Sided Photography Background Paper
There are always random moments where you need background paper. It’s a quick way to get nice product shots for social media and I especially love that if I spill on this paper I can just wipe it off with a damp cloth.
Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
I love the retro vibe of holding the microphone and this had the perfect look. Plus the audio quality is top notch without breaking the bank. The biggest benefit for me with this mic is that it also plugs into USB, so I don’t need any extra equipment to record my podcast or Youtube episodes.
EMART Photography Softbox Lighting Kit
This was an inexpensive starter lighting kit that I use most frequently. It’s super easy to use and gives the light necessary to shoot in a variety of setups in my small space.
This is my most used tripod for filming pointing down. I LOVE it.
Samsonite Classic Leather Slim Backpack, Cognac
This is the perfect-sized travel backpack for me. It looks sleek and professional. Easily fits my laptop, iPad, and I love the color.
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