Success Advice
How Creatives Can Survive in the 21st Century
Van Gogh. Everybody has heard his name and seen at least one photo of his paintings online. They probably even know about the yellow paint and the ear thing. But all of that aside, the genius of Van Gogh was that he was a true artist. He painted the world as he saw it and let the viewer experience it too.
Sadly, he wasn’t very good at business. In fact, from what I can tell he was bad at it. It’s reported that he only sold one painting in his entire life. That sucks, but the truth is we probably all know someone like that, or we are someone like that. Talented but lacking the confidence to sell our work and not have to eat ramen every night (or Kraft Dinner if you’re Canadian).
If it makes you feel any better, I found myself in that exact situation. I like writing and I want to make a living from it. I should be out there tapping the keys until someone showers me with cash, right? Instead, I was working every other job you could think of. I was running away from my true calling.
That’s how I found myself spending a Tuesday afternoon in a Zoom meeting watching Chris Do teach a group of people how to scale from zero. I was surprised to see over 700 people, all of whom ran their own business or wanted to start. The advice shared during the hour was practical and immediately applicable.
The takeaway? Most creatives don’t think like business owners, and they need to start.
How To Take Your Creative Business to the Next Level
Obviously, there are artists, creatives, writers, and designers who have all found a way to get paid the big bucks for their work. Just look at Jeff Koons or Yayoi Kusama who have both sold millions of dollars worth of art and worked with huge brands like Louis Vuitton. They weren’t afraid to put their art on display and they also weren’t afraid of making some straight up suit and tie deals either.
When I first met Chris Do, I was nervous and not sure what to expect. On the screen he has an air of mystery. There are moments that he comes across as cold or tough, he certainly isn’t afraid to tell you how it is. Other times he’s telling jokes and making people laugh. The biggest question I had was, why spend all this time teaching others? There are easier ways of making money.
The truth, as I see it, is that Chris is a teacher through and through. Nobody spends hours a day giving people halfway around the world individual time and attention unless it fuels their sense of purpose. Whether we want to admit it or not, we need people like Chriss. Hell, Van Gogh needed someone like Chris, because he knows how to turn an artist into a business owner without killing the creative.
Here’s 11 things I learned from Chris about scaling from zero:
- Make a list of possible services that you can offer someone regardless of how realistic it is
- Rate each service on a scale from 1-10 based on three things: personal fulfillment, value to market, and profitability
- Add each column up with a maximum score of 30. What is the highest rated service?
- Think of your ideal customer. What do they do? What do they need? What do they want?
- Craft a no brainer offer, something so good they can’t refuse. (Godfather style)
- Complete a market audit. Who else is doing the same thing? What is their price? How are you different?
- Get some experience. Gain some social proof. Offer to do a job for free in exchange for a case study.
- Start to pitch your services to others for money.
- Collect client quotes as you go.
- Continue to work your way up in price.
- Under promise and overdeliver.
That’s a pretty quick rundown of how to get started making money from your skills but it works. Most people want to feel like they’re making the right decision when giving someone their dough. It’s your job to ease their anxieties and deliver one hell of a product.
Chances are you’ll probably be a lot happier slinging your talents for cash instead of working a soul sucking call centre job… unless that’s your passion. If it is you might not have a soul to suck.
All jokes aside, I began to see business as art form. “Pricing is a little bit science and a little bit art,” Chris said, before picking up a Batman figurine and giving everyone his best Batman impression. In this modern digital world, it might seem like everyone is living their dreams, making money online, and living on the beach. You might see other creatives and wonder how they’re able to support themselves. Why are you, the starving artist, living in a van down by the river? And why is Chris Farley there with you?
All I know is that the man behind The Futur knows a thing or two about turning art into business and business into art. He helps the dreamers, and he certainly helps the doers. Let this be the mindset shift you need to get started, take action, and become addicted to success.
Success Advice
Why Tesla, Apple and Amazon Prioritize Performance Over Everything Else
What influences winning, making money, or achieving goals? It’s your performance.
Everyone wants to win at the things they’re pursuing. In fact, I don’t know a single person who likes to lose. But what influences winning, making money, or achieving goals? It’s your performance. It’s what you do, not what you want, that determines whether you succeed or fail. (more…)
Success Advice
15 Essential Habits to a Stronger, Healthier, and Happier You
The journey towards transformation is not about perfection but about progress
What habits can truly transform your life? That’s what you’re here to uncover. In our no-nonsense guide, we’ll introduce you to 15 habits to change your life, each with the power to improve your day-to-day existence. (more…)
Success Advice
19 Common Characteristics All Visionary Leaders Have
When you look at business leaders like Bill Gates, Sam Walton, Sir Richard Branson, and philosophers like Bertrand Russell, Martin Heidegger, Ludwig Wittgenstein, David Bohm, C. S. Peirce and inventors like Nikola Tesla, Paolo Soleri, Harvey W. Bailey, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell and Wright brothers and political leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Aung San Suu Kyi, it becomes very clear that they are all connected through one leadership—visionary leadership. (more…)
Success Advice
Wealth Lessons Everyone Should Hear for Every Stage of Your Life
Do you have the courage to rewrite your story?
Do you see what I see? Likely not, as we each see ourselves through the lens of our own story. (more…)
-
Success Advice4 weeks ago
How to Choose the Best Affiliate Programs for Your Blog
-
Success Advice2 weeks ago
Wealth Lessons Everyone Should Hear for Every Stage of Your Life
-
Entrepreneurs3 weeks ago
Build a Strong IT Team with These Smart Hiring Tips
-
Entrepreneurs4 weeks ago
5 Important Legal Tips Every Entrepreneur Should Know
-
Entrepreneurs3 weeks ago
How Entrepreneurs Are Harnessing LLCs to Launch Successful Startups
-
Startups3 weeks ago
How to Manage Your Startup’s Finances More Efficiently
-
Change Your Mindset3 weeks ago
Navigating The Depths Of Self-Love And Relationships With Stefanos Sifandos
-
Success Advice2 weeks ago
15 Essential Habits to a Stronger, Healthier, and Happier You