10 ways to be more business-savvy as a designer

Keep the practical side of your business running smoothly and give yourself more time to be creative.

Business skills don't always come naturally to creative people. But they're a necessary evil if you want to be successful and profitable.

The good news is, you don't need an MBA to get this side of things nailed – there are some straightforward ways to sharpen your business acumen, whether you're a freelancer or just setting up shop as a small studio.

Read on to discover 10 ways to be more business-savvy as a designer...

01. Control your cashflow

Balancing the books isn't top of anyone's wish list when there's designing to be done, but it's essential to the success of your business. What comes in and goes out needs to be managed carefully.

Every month, review your cashflow and forecast for both the next three months and the next six. Make a list of all the invoices that need to be sent in those two time periods, and ensure you're hitting your monthly and quarterly cashflow targets.

Online accounting tools such as Xero and Less Accounting are good places to start, although it's often worth getting a 'real' accountant too.