What tools or processes stimulate your creative thinking? When you get stuck or blocked, what tactics or products help to get you back into the flow? When you have too many ideas, how do you decide which one to choose? What strategies help you to overcome fear and self-doubt? In our next newsletter, we are going to feature your best ideas and stimulants for the creative process. So send us your actual materials and/or ideas by February 10th, and we will share the top ones with all of you. The top 5 winners will each receive a free book. You can e-mail your ideas to gail@creative success.com or send materials to Gail McMeekin, Creative Success LLC, 675 VFW Parkway, Suite 246, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467. Please note that materials will not be returned.

We want to hear from you, so we have just launched a guestbook for you to post your comments, suggestions, and brainstorms onto our site. We look forward to hearing from you.

It's a new year--a new beginning--and time to take action and protect your creative works. In the past few weeks, I have heard heart-wrenching stories of a novel disappearing on a computer, a fire destroying a lifetime of photographs, paintings that got moldy in a basement, and work that had not been copyrighted showing up in the wrong place. Is your work protected? Are you backing up your computer, making slides, or legally registering your work? Make this year one of self-protection. Your creative ideas are valuable and part of your legacy as well as your business. Don't put this off! For Starters:

1. Face the truth about your situation.
   Do you really back-up your computer regularly or do you need a new plan? Either buy an automatic back-up service (I use AccessGenie) or an external hard-drive to store your files. I keep an extra set of files on a CD in a fireproof safe and when I am writing a book, I keep another duplicate CD in my car--updated daily. If you have art or photography, get it photographed or scanned and keep duplicates in two places. Do it this month.
2. Register your business
   If you are selling creative work, register your business name with your town and look into declaring yourself as a DBA, an LLC, or an Inc. depending on your needs. Set up a business bank account and track all of your expenses and deductions. You may want to consult a business attorney or the SBA for guidance on the options in your state.
3. Invest in your creative potential.
   Give yourself a budget for your creative projects/business. Make your creative work a priority, fund your business account each year, and develop a strategic marketing plan. You must invest in new materials, updated equipment, and the right advisors in order to be successful. Take yourself seriously and honor your creations.
4. Know what you are both earning and spending each quarter so you can make solid financial decisions.
   Are you making enough money? Where is new business coming from? What expenses are really paying off and which ones are duds? Has your target market changed and which services/products are selling well? For many of us creative souls, we have to learn to collect and pay attention to the data in our business.
5. Which ideas do we need to protect and how?

1. Intellectual property pertains to creative work and bringing something new into being. Trademarks protect the brand name. Jean suggests carefully selecting a distinctive, memorable brand name, like Lexus, for example, securing the domain name, and then legally registering it. First, do a Google search to make sure that someone else is not already using a similar name to yours. If someone else is using your name or a similar name already, it may not be worth a legal battle and you may want to select another name.
2. If you write a song or a poem, make it tangible-- put it on a CD or paper. As the creator, you automatically own the copyright, but it's a good idea to put the copyright on your work. If you ever need to enforce your rights, then your work must be legally registered. She recommends that it is a good business practice to copyright all material that you value. It's an easy and an inexpensive process.
3. Be cautious when you give away rights or license your material. Don't sign contracts without understanding the terms. You can do short term rights or licensing until you see how a product sells. Reserve the right to reuse your work in another format in the future as well.
4. Choose your deals carefully and don't agree to anything that does not feel right. Decide carefully about the use of Non Disclosure Agreements as ideas differ from implementation.

Creativity Coaching Certification Program

I am delighted to announce that I will be teaching with Eric Maisel and Diane Reardon in the new online Creativity Coaching Association Certification Program. We have designed a comprehensive and exciting new program for aspiring creativity coaches and I will be teaching the unit called "Success Strategies for Creativity Coaches" this spring. For information about this fabulous new program click on:
http://w ww.creativity- portal.com/cca/programs/certification.html

Great Gift Websites Need artsy, innovative, yet practical gifts? Check out these two wonderful websites: http://www.mum blepeg.com-- Nancy Palmer makes lovely handmade flower pins and other vintage accessories http://stores.ebay.com:80/Purple- Cat-Designs?ssPag--Darlene Adams crafts fabulous fabric and wool pocketbooks and make-up bags and a great tee.

The Vagina Monologues--Concord, MA February 10 and 11 at the Emerson Umbrella Theatre- - Sponsored by The Network for Women's Lives Tickets at 978-287-4089 or online at http:/ / www.networkforwomenslives.org

Coaching Resource My good friend Ginny O'Brien just released her new book Coaching Yourself to Leadership (HRD Press, 2006) which is filled with wisdom and insights on ways for you to become an integrated leader. In this book, Ginny shares five key leadership strategies: authenticity, vision and strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, assertive communication, and strategic relationships. This book lets you take responsibility for your own professional development.

At the request of our readers, we are now offering advertising in this newsletter. For further information and to purchase an ad for our next newsletter, please click on the link below:

www.creativesuccess.com/adsales.html

Creatively yours,
Gail McMeekin
http://www. creativesuccess.com Copyright, 2006. CreativeSuccess, LLC.