Van Gogh. Everyone knows his name. Everybody has at least seen one image of Van Gogh’s paintings online. Most people are familiar with the yellow paint and the ear thing. Van Gogh is a genius because he was an artist. The world was painted by Van Gogh as he saw it, and the viewer could experience it.
Sadly, he wasn’t very good at business. According to what I know, he wasn’t very good at business. It’s reported that he only sold one painting in his entire life. This is a terrible story, but we likely all have someone similar to him.These areYou’d be a great example of someone like this. Talented but lacking the confidence to sell our work and not have to eat ramen every night (or Kraft Dinner if you’re Canadian).
It makes me feel better to be in this exact position. Writing is something I enjoy and one that I would like to be able to earn a living. If I were to be working, I would have been tapping my keys till someone paid me. My job was just one of many. My true calling was being ignored.
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. Surprisingly, I saw over 700 people who owned their businesses or were interested in starting one. Practical and immediate advice was shared throughout the hour.
What is 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
There are many artists, creatives and writers who find a way of getting paid big for their work. Look at Jeff Koons and Yayoi Kusema, who both have sold millions in art and collaborated with major brands such as 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.
Chris Do and I met for the first time in person. At first, I was very nervous. He seems mysterious on the screen. 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. My biggest concern was why do I spend so much time helping others. It’s easier to make money elsewhere.
As I see it Chris is an excellent teacher. If it doesn’t fuel their purpose, no one spends so many hours each day giving attention to people all over the globe. We need Chrisss, whether we like to admit it. Van Gogh had to have someone like Chris because he can turn an artist into business owners without hurting the creator.
Here’s 11 things I learned from Chris about scaling from zero:
- No matter how unrealistic it may seem, make a list with possible services you could offer to someone.
- Each service is rated on a scale of 1-10. It’s based on 3 things: Personal fulfillment, market value, and profitability.
- Each column should be added up to a maximum of 30. Is there a higher-rated service?
- Imagine your ideal client. How do they work? What are they looking for? What should they be looking for?
- Craft a no brainer offer, something so good they can’t refuse. (Godfather style)
- Do a market audit. Do you know of anyone else doing this? How much is it? Which are your strengths?
- Gain some practical experience. Social proof is a great way to get some experience. In exchange for case studies, offer to take on a job.
- Offer your services for money to other people.
- You can collect quotes from clients as you move.
- Keep working your way up in the price.
- Overpromise and underdelivery.
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. It might be because you don’t have the heart to take it.
I came to regard business as an artistic 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. You might feel like everybody is living in the digital age, making their own money and relaxing on the beaches. You might see other creatives and wonder how they’re able to support themselves. You, the hungry artist living in the van by the river, are why? Why is Chris Farley with you?
The Futur’s man knows all about making art and business profitable. He is a dreamer and a doer. You can make this the mindset shift that you need in order to start taking action and becoming addicted to success.
Addicted 2 Success published How Creatives Can Survive the 21st Century.
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