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Run Studio Run
Run Studio Run is a book that details how to manage and grow a small creative studio.
- GenresDesignBusinessNonfiction
267 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
69 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 23, 2020
I'm so glad this book found me when it did... just as I was leaving a very big corporate job to build something new at a small creative agency.
It's a beautiful package (be sure to buy direct from the author's site to get a free designed poster with the book) - paperback french flaps and black + gold type and design throughout.
Something for creatives... should look and feel creative. Eli has distilled all of the tough lessons and experience he's learned the hard way into very clear, actionable, descriptive takeaways in short consumable chapters sprinkled with relevant quotes and advice from others in the creative field.
The result is me taking photos of page after page, sending them to my small team, until everyone's now bought a copy and we're making it our first 'book club' type book for the leadership team.
It's inspiring, smart, and pushy in the best way on forcing you to re/think about what you offer, how to approach proposals, manage a team, communicate internally, track hours/progress, create and optimize processes, and so much more (just check out the TOC).
Can't recommend this enough for anyone at any level in any client-focused business or agency, whether or not you consider yourself 'creative' in your work. For those in corporate jobs, this may make you want to take the leap yourself, but otherwise will be of limited use.
I could quote the entire book - that's how impressed I was with it. Check it out!
It's a beautiful package (be sure to buy direct from the author's site to get a free designed poster with the book) - paperback french flaps and black + gold type and design throughout.
Something for creatives... should look and feel creative. Eli has distilled all of the tough lessons and experience he's learned the hard way into very clear, actionable, descriptive takeaways in short consumable chapters sprinkled with relevant quotes and advice from others in the creative field.
The result is me taking photos of page after page, sending them to my small team, until everyone's now bought a copy and we're making it our first 'book club' type book for the leadership team.
It's inspiring, smart, and pushy in the best way on forcing you to re/think about what you offer, how to approach proposals, manage a team, communicate internally, track hours/progress, create and optimize processes, and so much more (just check out the TOC).
Can't recommend this enough for anyone at any level in any client-focused business or agency, whether or not you consider yourself 'creative' in your work. For those in corporate jobs, this may make you want to take the leap yourself, but otherwise will be of limited use.
I could quote the entire book - that's how impressed I was with it. Check it out!
September 14, 2019
A very helpful, high-level view regarding the processes and pitfalls involved in running a small creative agency. I read this book because I plan to start my own agency someday, and it has given me much to think about and strategize toward as I head toward that goal. I plan to revisit it several times before I actually start anything, and I'm sure I will find it to be useful at the various stages of foundational planning and growth.
January 25, 2022
Fantastic read for small, service-based creative business owners - cannot recommend enough. Some thoughtful (and concise) advice across a variety of aspects of operating a studio. The use cases, examples, and anecdotes provide immediate clarity - not a lot of fat here! It's basically like a cooking blog, but without the 850 word essay about being on vacation in the south of France before you get to the recipe. And the best part is it feels relevant to my circumstances (which is the whole point).
I've read a number of business books, and while many of them have valuable takeaways (something Altman touches on in this very book) most of them felt a bit nebulous in terms of who they were speaking to. In other cases they are clearly speaking to specific cross sections or fields and don't feel as applicable or relatable. This book niches down and fills that gap - it knows exactly who it's talking to.
My only wish is for some areas to be less brief; the book itself is very digestible and I know I'll find myself returning to sticky-noted pages for reference. However, some of the particularly challenging areas felt a bit light. I realize this will differ from reader to reader and business to business, but things like handling slow periods and hunting down leads and work in an actionable way could use a bit more meat. Perhaps in a future edition, additional surveying to see where the most consistent problem areas lie with small creative shops - particularly after the pandemic - to elaborate on. There's absolutely enough meat to understand (or in many cases, reinforce) the concepts though.
A+! Great way to kick off the year.
I've read a number of business books, and while many of them have valuable takeaways (something Altman touches on in this very book) most of them felt a bit nebulous in terms of who they were speaking to. In other cases they are clearly speaking to specific cross sections or fields and don't feel as applicable or relatable. This book niches down and fills that gap - it knows exactly who it's talking to.
My only wish is for some areas to be less brief; the book itself is very digestible and I know I'll find myself returning to sticky-noted pages for reference. However, some of the particularly challenging areas felt a bit light. I realize this will differ from reader to reader and business to business, but things like handling slow periods and hunting down leads and work in an actionable way could use a bit more meat. Perhaps in a future edition, additional surveying to see where the most consistent problem areas lie with small creative shops - particularly after the pandemic - to elaborate on. There's absolutely enough meat to understand (or in many cases, reinforce) the concepts though.
A+! Great way to kick off the year.
August 12, 2018
"Research by Dr. Gail Mattews at Dominican University in California found that you are 42 percent more likely to achieve goals that you write down." – RunStudioRun by Eli Altman
Between its nearly 270 pages are the expert writings of notable industry professionals, including Aaron James Draplin, Brent Couchman, Bobby C. Martin Jr., and author Eli Altman. The guidance and wisdom presented in this book are well worth the purchase and a reread. Even as a senior employee of a creative agency (non-owner), this book has taught me how to be a better leader, team member, and what to expect from our agency's leadership.
Run, don't walk, to get this book now!
See what I did there.
Between its nearly 270 pages are the expert writings of notable industry professionals, including Aaron James Draplin, Brent Couchman, Bobby C. Martin Jr., and author Eli Altman. The guidance and wisdom presented in this book are well worth the purchase and a reread. Even as a senior employee of a creative agency (non-owner), this book has taught me how to be a better leader, team member, and what to expect from our agency's leadership.
Run, don't walk, to get this book now!
See what I did there.
September 14, 2018
There are many business books, and Eli Altman has read most of them in his quest to turn his own studio into a well-oiled machine. Run Studio Run presents both his learned wisdom and that of about a dozen other people at the forefront of (predominantly) the design industry.
As with his first book (Don't Call it that), Altman has written a much-needed book for an underserved niche—in this case, small studios doing creative work. There are notes on why it's important to tighten things up, what aspects to pay attention to, and how to get there.
As with his first book (Don't Call it that), Altman has written a much-needed book for an underserved niche—in this case, small studios doing creative work. There are notes on why it's important to tighten things up, what aspects to pay attention to, and how to get there.
January 27, 2019
Profoundly useful, practical, actionable advice for small-to-medium creative studios. I especially appreciated the level-headed approach to process as the organizing principle for the whole company.
On a personal level, it unburdened me of doubt about instituting and reinforcing process during the invariably painful transition period that comes with changes. A couple of months after, my studio is running more smoothly and efficiently because of it.
And the poster's pretty great, too.
On a personal level, it unburdened me of doubt about instituting and reinforcing process during the invariably painful transition period that comes with changes. A couple of months after, my studio is running more smoothly and efficiently because of it.
And the poster's pretty great, too.
April 14, 2019
Run studio run
A book for the people that want to go rogue and have a creative studio. A great read, pleasant and thought provoking. I especially liked that it hosts the voices of many studio owners, and that’s exactly what I would ask for the second version: a deep dive into different studio cases. There are studios with subscription or shared profit models, remote ones, niche, one-stop-shops... they all deserve a thought to curious designers like me!
A book for the people that want to go rogue and have a creative studio. A great read, pleasant and thought provoking. I especially liked that it hosts the voices of many studio owners, and that’s exactly what I would ask for the second version: a deep dive into different studio cases. There are studios with subscription or shared profit models, remote ones, niche, one-stop-shops... they all deserve a thought to curious designers like me!
October 9, 2023
mega, hat spaß gemacht es zu lesen, sehr gut geschrieben, gut gestaltet, layout, farben, papier, alles perfekt. einiges mitgenomme. hätte mir gewünscht, dass es an manchen stellen noch konkreter wird, mehr beispiele, wie sehen die prozesse aus? aber okay, is so wahrscheinlich langlebiger. was mich überrascht hat, tools sind sehr basic, google sheets. geht also wihl auch so, gut zu wissen. gleich das nächste buch vom autor bestellt, bin schon gespannt.
January 10, 2019
Packed with knowledge, Run Studio Run is a guidebook to help you maximize your studio's effectiveness. You'll set goals and develop processes. You'll laugh. You may cry. Running a business is tough, but Eli is always there breaking down the business walls to build bridges to a lucrative creative freedom. It's fast-paced and colloquial. Super easy to read and pretty to look at.
September 6, 2019
The Book I Wish I Read When I Started
I can not recommend this book enough. I own a remote design studio with a couple of subcontractor designers under me. A lot of the questions I’ve been talking with my business coach about have been answered thanks to this book! So excited that this book exists now and will be recommending it to my network!
I can not recommend this book enough. I own a remote design studio with a couple of subcontractor designers under me. A lot of the questions I’ve been talking with my business coach about have been answered thanks to this book! So excited that this book exists now and will be recommending it to my network!
March 6, 2020
I just got this book, and it was incredible!
Seriously, I’ve read a ton of business and self help books, and this one was THE MOST practical to starting/building a small studio. The elements you discuss gave me clear action on what to do next, and I honestly feel that my future would not be the same if I didn’t read your book!
Thank you for writing Run Studio Run. It’s a game changer.
Seriously, I’ve read a ton of business and self help books, and this one was THE MOST practical to starting/building a small studio. The elements you discuss gave me clear action on what to do next, and I honestly feel that my future would not be the same if I didn’t read your book!
Thank you for writing Run Studio Run. It’s a game changer.
March 8, 2021
As a creative who just started its own studio, this has been a guiding light. It’s like getting advice from a friend who already had his share of experience in the creative business (and this friend wrote you 23 chapters and 261 pages of great advice, so you know that's a friend to keep). Thanks, Eli!
May 24, 2024
As a small business owner myself, I find this book very useful!
It presents concisely and clearly the basics of operating a creative studio and the little systems that are very important to consider along the way.
Not only that, but the book's design is beautiful, and it includes a few quotes from other business owners who share similar feelings and thoughts.
I highly recommend it!
It presents concisely and clearly the basics of operating a creative studio and the little systems that are very important to consider along the way.
Not only that, but the book's design is beautiful, and it includes a few quotes from other business owners who share similar feelings and thoughts.
I highly recommend it!
August 14, 2020
A beautiful, comprehensive dive into the ins and outs of running a creative studio. Equal parts strategic and practical in terms of advice and guidance – would highly recommend to any creative entrepreneur in the design or business world!
May 31, 2022
Excellent book for anyone who’s involved in leading or working for a creative studio/agency of any kind! The kind of book that can be read annually and referenced often throughout the year. Comprehensive. Insightful. Practical. Funny. Creative.
January 26, 2023
This is a great book for creative people (not freelancers) who are building their studio. It's not another boring 'How to run your business' book. It goes straight to the point, it's easy to read and it 's also fun. Also, the graphic design makes it a lot better.
November 20, 2023
Very high-level overview of creative studio structure and processes. Insightful but I would recommend it for those who are just starting out. For those who have some experience running a studio, this book is too generalized.
September 28, 2018
Really useful and insightful advice on how to run a small design or creative studio. A pleasure to read and a great reference.
January 11, 2019
I am very tired of books aimed at creatives that posit creatives are terrible at business.
September 11, 2021
As an interior designer with a studio, this book is a valuable asset to growing my business. Excellent advise!
September 24, 2023
I highly recommend it to anyone running a creative studio or planing to.
December 13, 2023
Great, detailed handbook on how to run an agency.
July 17, 2024
fan-fucking-tastic. the bible for any creative looking to build a studio.
April 25, 2025
Nikto by bez prečítania tejto knihy nemal viesť kreatívne štúdio. Ďakujem.
November 4, 2018
Great book
For anyone looking to start their own creative services business of any kind, this is the holy grail. Eli keeps it real and talks through everything you need to know to be successful.
For anyone looking to start their own creative services business of any kind, this is the holy grail. Eli keeps it real and talks through everything you need to know to be successful.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews