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Business Coaching for Creatives

@autonomouscreative

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Build a profitable business without selling your soul (or your Sundays) 👋 The future belongs to Autonomous Creatives 👇

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Want to have a real creative business that will support you, and not just suck you dry?

And if that sounds out of reach for you, remember: You’ve got the same skill set and expertise that has produced some of the most valuable (as measured by money!) assets of the human race:
Literature! Art! Music!

And yet, you’re told repeatedly that, not only is it basically impossible to get paid for these valuable skills, there’s also something morally suspect about trying.

Dentists do not have this problem.

Microchip manufacturers do not have this problem.

Bankers definitely do not have this problem.

It’s taken for granted that those jobs are all reasonable things to do with your life, and so people pursuing those paths are routinely equipped with the tools and knowledge to make a good living and grow their business over time.

Whereas you’ve been systematically deprived of the basic education and tools you’ve needed to build your own business in a misguided attempt to “protect” your delicate artistic sensibilities from crass commerce.

(Yeah, thanks for that.)

If you’re a seasoned creative who just hasn’t been able to get a foothold with your business, applications to the Autonomous Creative Incubator are open though October 17.

The Incubator is the artist-centered program where self-employed creatives design a sustainable, profitable service-based business rooted in their creative expertise.

If you’ve been struggling to make your creative business work for you—in terms of money, time, and even what you get to spend do with your days and the kind of work you’re able to do, I really encourage you to check it out.

“Learning” isn’t going to fix this mess. DOING is the only true way forward.

It’s time to step up for yourself, and to build a profitable creative business you can be proud of. I can’t wait to hear from you. Go to jessicaabel.com/aci-application and apply now. by @autonomouscreative

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4 years ago

Have you ever wondered where your time and energy is going? Let cartoonist and creative business coach Jessica Abel/ @autonomouscreative show you how to audit your capacity and find out exactly how much you've got to give. This live session is part of the free Write Anyway conference taking place October 5-8. Get your ticket through the link in my bio. Capacity Meter: Find Out Exactly What You've Got to Give so You Can Give It to Your Book

Presenter: Jessica Abel

Write Anyway
Join us October 5-8
A free four-day online event for writers

writeanywaysummit.com by @autonomouscreative

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21 days ago

Most offers don’t fail because they’re bad.

They fail because they require more marketing than the business owner actually wants to do.

If you're feeling stretched thin or constantly second-guessing your marketing strategy, this episode is your reset.

Jessica Abel @autonomouscreative joins me to break down sustainable business models, passive income myths, and why relationship-based marketing still works.

👉🏾Tap the link in my bio to listen. by @autonomouscreative

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a year ago

✴️ The Autonomous Creative Conference KICKS OFF TOMORROW (Tues May 13).

Take a sec and just peep how incredible the speakers are…

And it’s FREE! Get your ticket now!

Build a business as brilliant as you are!

#linkinbio by @autonomouscreative

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a year ago

⚡️💫 Let’s be real: Creative business is great. But it’s the CREATIVE part that gets us excited! That’s why Day 3 of the Autonomous Creative Conference might be my favorite...

Day 3 is all about YOUR CREATIVE LICENSE: designing work that protects and amplifies your creative practice.

This lineup has me grinning from ear to ear:

• @mbs_works on choosing and tackling truly audacious projects that light you up

• @jacunzo showing how your unique voice moves markets (without shouting!)

• @mmaddencomics revealing how (fun! made up!) constraints become rocket fuel for innovation

• @meldeziel teaching how to turn your ideas into frameworks that make your expertise crystal clear

• @tarzan_kay on writing emails people actually want to read (and respond to!)

• @lachelle.barnett showing how to turn your expertise into transformative group programs

I know we’ve been talking business and money all week, but this is where it all comes together: using your creative genius to build something extraordinary.

Join us May 13-15 (free!) to discover how accomplished creative professionals design businesses worthy of their expertise. Link in bio! by @autonomouscreative

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a year ago

😪 I’ve been working late. Cleaning up transcripts and geeking out 🤓 over the Day 2 presentations… I wish I could take a week off and just GO to the Autonomous Creative Conference!

(Real talk: a week off sounds NIIIIIICE around now)

Day 2 of the Autonomous Creative Conference is all about building financial stability and making smart decisions about our pricing, marketing, and resources. We’re talking strategic decisions that actually work for creative businesses.

Check out this absolutely incredible lineup:

- @tara_mcmullin rethinking business models from the ground up (still processing this interview!)
- @sidekickcoo points the way to finding your specific ONE number that can transform your whole business
- @jacquettemtimmons fixing pricing from the inside out
- @michelle.warner aligning your marketing with how you actually work (genius!)
- @ginaknox on going from feast-or-famine to financially “unbothered” (yes please!)
- And I’ll be there showing how to use your real life as the container for your business decisions

I literally stayed up too late last night re-watching these presentations because they’re packed with such actionable insights. Cannot WAIT for you to see them!

Join us May 13-15 (free!) to build a business that actually works. Link in bio! by @autonomouscreative

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a year ago

🎯 I’ve been sitting on this for MONTHS! So glad I can finally get it out in the open!

I am RIDICULOUSLY excited about Day 1 of the Autonomous Creative Conference (and honestly all of it, but let’s focus here...)

We’re kicking off with a LIVE interview with Oliver Burkeman about making space for what matters (yes, really).

Then the brilliant @mariepoulin is showing us how to design workdays that actually work with our creative brains (what a concept!).

@thesusanboles is making calm our North Star (genius!)

@yesandyesblog is helping us get our priorities straight and streamline our marketing

@onlinedrea is helping us through a total social media reset!

And @kaffeen_ldn has two two TWO ways to find those elusive high-value clients without constant content creation!

I’ve been planning this for longer than I care to admit, and these speakers are bringing their A-game.

If you’re tired of your business running you instead of the other way around, join us May 13-15 (completely free!) to build a business as brilliant as you are!

Link in bio to grab your free ticket. Can’t wait to geek out about this with you!

#creativebusiness #businessstrategy #creativeentrepreneur #sustainablebusiness #autonomouscreativeconference by @autonomouscreative

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a year ago

Your creative excellence deserves more than living in survival mode forever.

I see it all too often. So much time doing the work, and nothing left for YOU—your family, your own most meaningful projects, your sanity.

It doesn’t have to be this way!

That’s why we’re hosting the Autonomous Creative Conference, where creative pros can learn how to build both financial stability AND creative freedom.

No 60-hour weeks.

No racing to the bottom on pricing.

No sacrificing your best, most creative work so you can be everything for everyone.

Three focused days, 18 incredible speakers.

One goal: Build a business as brilliant as you are.

The Autonomous Creative Conference

May 13-15, 2025

Free Virtual Event

GET YOUR FREE TICKET: autonomouscreative.com/ac-conference

(48-hour replay access included!)

#creativebusinessowner #linkinbio👈 by @autonomouscreative

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a year ago

What's actually stopping you from finishing your ambitious projects?

Well, have you actually *decided* your next step?

Phase 2 of the Creative Engine is kind of a sleeper hit,

because writers and artists (and let's face it, humans) HATE to decide.

And they mostly skip it!

But the DECIDE phase (phase 2 of the Creative Engine, the 4-part framework that I’m teaching next week…) is probably the MOST IMPORTANT of the four phases!

Yes...

👉 Deciding means committing to one option.

👉 Deciding means saying NO to all the other shiny shiny objects.

👉 Deciding might well mean saying no to other actual humans, and facing their disappointment.

👉 Deciding will—definitely—mean saying no to yourself, to things you wish you could also accomplish.

👆👆 👆 This is the hardest part!

Struggling to Decide?

Join me for **‘4 Simple Steps to Finish Your Ambitious Creative Program or Project’** Thursday at 2 ET #linkinbio

What's next? The Act phase! Reel dropping tomorrow

→ [side note: Yes, I AM dancing in a reel…because I love dancing and also I’m a total ham. #sorrynotsorry ]

#creativeengine #executivefunction #getitdone #getitseen #focusandfinish #creativefocusworkshop #phase2decide #creativeenginephase2decide #couragebeforeconfidence #goals #inspiration #mindset by @autonomouscreative

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2 years ago

Paralyzed by perfectionism?

“Collect” is the name I gave to the wonderful, exploratory phase of a creative project where we learn and absorb all kinds of new skills and information from the world around us.

We get to be students, researchers, explorers.

It's amazing (and necessary)!

The only problem with Collect?

Getting TRAPPED there.

If you've found yourself thinking

- I just need to practice more.
- Who am I to tell this story?
- Everyone will hate this/me unless I get everything perfect
- Should I go back to grad school?

You might be trapped in Collect.

You're trapped because the next phase is Decide... and you're probably skipping that part.

Good news: I’m running a free class all about how to navigate the 4 phases of finishing amazing, ambitiouss creative projects, and you’re invited!

Link in bio: **‘4 Simple Steps to Finish Your Ambitious Creative Program or Project’**

(This is the first of 4 reels I made back in 2021…they’re too much fun to leave in retirement forever… so I’ll be posting each over the next few days.)

The free class is for you if…

✅ You have **big ideas for your business** but struggle to bring them to life

✅ You‘re committed to generating income WITHOUT sacrificing your creative dreams.

✅ You're **drowning in client work** instead of building your own programs

✅ You've **tried every productivity hack** but they are impossible to follow…if not downright gaslighting.

✅ You want to create a business that's both **financially rewarding** and **creatively fulfilling**

✅ You're ready to finish projects that **build your dream future, not just your to-do list**

Click SIGN UP to snag your spot now, or visit jessicaabel.com/cfw for more details.

(Don't worry if you can't attend live - a replay will be available!)

#creativeengine #executivefunction #getitdone #getitseen #focusandfinish #creativefocusworkshop #phase1collect #creativeenginephase1collect #couragebeforeconfidence #goals #inspiration #mindset by @autonomouscreative

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2 years ago

Dropping tomorrow!

My long out-of-print classic vampire romcom graphic novel Life Sucks is being rereleased by Fantagraphics Books!

Life Sucks is a collab between me, Gabe Soria @bitchinville , and @warrenpleece , and it’s super fun. YA-appropriate (also fun for grownups). No swear words or nudity or S-E-X. One bloody scene. Kinda Buffy-meets-Clerks?

It’s a fab gift idea for anyone on your list who’s into vampires, romance, comedy, or comic books (i.e. everyone! Right???).

order at fantagraphics.com find the link in bio @fantagraphics

Here’s the rundown -

“I’m psyched. I’m totally psyched. I’m not a loser… Who the hell am I kidding?”

Life sucks for Dave Miller — he’s broke, girlfriendless, and stuck in a dead-end job. Really dead-end: Dave is the night manager at the Last Stop, LA’s finest vampire-owned and operated, all-night convenience store. Facing an eternity of turning hot dogs and restocking blood broth for his crappy boss and Vampire Master, the future looks about as appealing as the sunrise. It’s bad enough that Dave is clinging to his days as a vegetarian and refusing to feed off humans, leaving him weak as a kitten. But when he finds himself competing with psychotic surfer-vamp Wes for the affections of Rosa, a beautiful mortal flirting with the dark side, unlife gets about as sucky as it possibly can.

Originally published in 2008, Fantagraphics is proud to bring this YA classic back into print with a new edition. Veteran comics creators Jessica Abel (Trish Trash: Rollergirl of Mars), Gabe Soria (Batman ’66), and Warren Pleece (Incognegro) have crafted a timeless goth love triangle/coming-of-age story that garnered awards and accolades when initially published, including the 2009 YALSA Top Ten Graphic Novels for Teens list. by @autonomouscreative

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2 years ago

Ever feel like your to-do list is plotting against you? 🤯

Philadelphians, join me LIVE this Wednesday at 5pm for a free talk: ‘Flow. And How to Get Into It.’

3️⃣ steps to break free from the aspirational planning trap and find your Flow.

💪✨ Free! Drexel University URBN Annex. 3401 Filbert Street, Philadelphia

Be there!

p.s. Catch the amazing Philly Comics Now exhibition after the talk, right across the hall!

#Creativity #flow #productivity #timemanagement #DrexelUniversity by @autonomouscreative

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2 years ago