What advice would you give to someone just starting out in a creative field?

Photo: Designer at work 2 by Wildebeast1.

In our first ever survey, we asked what advice you'd give to someone who is just starting out in a creative field.  I remember what it was like, a new designer fresh out of high school starting my first job doing typesetting and design for a local business.  If there is anything I would share, it's that you can learn from anyone and everyone around you. Be a sponge and don't dismiss anyone young or old, new or not.  There's so much to learn no matter how long you've been doing it. Now I'm working on local magazines for a nationally known company and have creative freedom and lots of fun at work. And I'm still pushing harder than ever to grow and get better.  Take a look at the responses from our panel and chime in with your own advice and experiences.

• "The advice I would give someone who is just starting out in a creative field would be to know exactly where your end goal is and how you plan to get there. Creative fields are difficult, competative and very stressful. If you don't know where you want to end up or even how to get there, you'll be eaten alive."
  
  Tearra Marie (@AhorashiiKagome) is an inspiring singer/song writer, actress, and novelist who blogs daily her writings and struggles in the music and publishing world at AhorashiiKagome.livejournal.com
  
  
• "The *most* important thing is to launch stuff ASAP. Success is mostly a numbers game -- the more you try, the more likely a successful outcome."
  
  Paul Singh (@paulsingh) is an entrepreneur and advisor to startups doing interesting stuff. He blogs at www.resultsjunkies.com/blog
  
  
• "Find out from other freelancers how much things cost and what to expect before diving in. Save up your money for the most necessary. Don't go into debt. Don't pay for the un-necessities. Seek the really good clients by requiring contract and down- payment requirements before beginning. It is easier to keep a good client on by treating them well and doing a great job for them, than to try to get a new one."
  
  Lisa C. Jackson (lisajackson.biz) is owner of a Company Identity Solopreneurship, Lisa Jackson Design, and helps small local businesses to succeed.
  

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