(Even If You Hate Spreadsheets)
Creative talent can take you far, but creative financial literacy is what keeps you in business! Whether you’re a designer, photographer, filmmaker, content creator, agency, producer, performer, or creative entrepreneur, the difference between “busy” and “stable” usually comes down to a few simple numbers you review consistently.
Here’s Moore TT’s monthly checklist you can use all year long. No finance degree required.
1) Total Revenue (by income stream)
Track where money actually comes from: client work, retainers, royalties/licensing, grants, merch, workshops, digital sales. This helps you double down on what’s working.
2) Profit Margin (what you keep, not what you earn)
Revenue is vanity; margin is sanity. Estimate your direct costs (materials, freelancers, studio time, travel, platform fees) so you know what’s truly profitable.
3) Cash on Hand & Cash Runway
How much cash is in the bank today, and how many weeks it can cover your fixed expenses? This is your stress meter.
4) Accounts Receivable (money owed to you)
List invoices outstanding and how long they’ve been unpaid. Late payments quietly kill creative businesses.
5) Monthly Burn (your baseline costs)
What you spend to operate: rent, utilities, software, subscriptions, loan payments, payroll, transport. If you know your burn, you can price and plan confidently.
6) Pipeline Value (work coming next)
Confirmed quotes, signed contracts, and warm leads. This tells you whether your next 60–90 days are secure.
7) Tax & Compliance Reserve
Set aside a fixed percentage monthly for taxes/obligations. Treat it like a non-negotiable bill, not a last-minute scramble.
One simple rule: Review these 7 numbers on the same day each month. You’ll make better decisions, spot leaks early, and build a business that lasts beyond any season.Moore TT supports the Orange Economy with practical tools, guidance, and one-on-one consultations. From bookkeeping and cashflow systems to tax planning, pricing support, and lender-ready reporting.
