Writer’s block, blank canvas, not hearing the music, call it what you’d like, but without inspiration creative professionals are simply losing money. Artists in business for themselves cannot wait for the proverbial muse to sit on their shoulder. Creative professionals such as writers, musicians or photographers, need to be proactive in finding ways to get back on track and to stay profitable.

Many say collaborating with other artists is key to finding new insights. Others take a few minutes a day to look at other artwork or to listen to music to stay focused.

PhotoShelter, for example, recently launched its School of Stock (http://blog.photoshelter.com/school/) online guide to help commercial photographers understand what image buyers are looking for and how to get those great shots. Besides having a logo that would look great on a T-shirt, the School of Stock is amassing a huge amount of real-world tips on photo technique and content from hundreds of image buyers.

What do other creative professionals do to get motivated? How do they stay inspired? How do you balance finding the spark of creativity with running a business?