All it takes is to open a creative person's eyes to the possibility of a sustainable career, is one person to do right by them. The experience of having one investor, promoter, client, or patron who respects their work and engages in good, ethical business practices, is eye-opening. One positive experience makes anyone wonder why they settled for anything else.
It should never be a shock or surprise when people honor their obligations, or follow through on promises in a timely, fair manner, but for creatives, it often is.
There is glaring disrespect, and a gross disconnect when it comes to compensating creatives that must be eradicated. Cheating creatives not a simple misunderstanding, an honest mistake, or an unfortunate oversight. It's a deliberate omission--a crime, even--when people steal from anyone who has been employed to provide a service.
I don't know when the notion was formed, but some people really do believe that creatives are the most gullible, unbothered, free spirited, business-hating people on Earth. Some people look at creatives and conclude that they either don't need to be paid, don't need money at all, or are already so financially enriched, that they can afford to, or are obligated to volunteer their services. Somewhere in time, someone decided that creatives exist on air, appreciation and applause, and are so desperate to perform, so fearful of losing support, and so beholden to the purveyors of "opportunities", that they will gladly show up and happily create for little or nothing.
People want good work done, but once they get it, they either develop a strange brand of amnesia, or act as if they did someone a favor by refusing to pay for the product they intend to use. It's a very bad habit. If that bad habit is ever going to stop, creatives have to put their business hats on--and keep them on. There has to be an understanding before the work is done. That warm feeling, as a result of lending a hand, or providing a product is nice, but it doesn't pay a single, solitary bill.
There are those who don't care what you think, how you feel, or what's right and reasonable, they just want what you, as a creative can do to make them look good, further their interests, or line their pockets. They're counting on you to go along and be satisfied with "exposure" or just the thrill of participating (a.k.a. There's money, but it's for everyone except you).
People who solicit your expertise may have overstepped their boundaries, misrepresented you or others, or inflated their role, so you have to deliver the goods or their entire scheme is screwed. Perhaps they're seeking to earn brownie points. Never be surprised if they drop a name. "So-and-so asked me to ask you if you can..."
(Now hear this: Social media has removed pre-existing blocks.
Access is easy. If "so-and-so" is your friend or acquaintance, has your contact information, and wants something from you, they'll ask you themselves.)
Brace yourselves creatives, but there are people with a lot of nerve who think you're a desperate wimp with latent slave tendencies.
They only call on you when they want something for nothing, and apparently think your goal in life is to labor for free.
As long as you're gracious, giving, agreeable, and churning out work, they're fine. The minute you put your foot down, and bring their inconsideration and your requirements to their attention, their true, nasty colors emerge. That's a fantastic, defining moment in the life of a creative individual. Pay close attention to those colors. They're a mix of arrogance, disrespect, hypocrisy, gaslighting, entitlement, manipulation, and greed. They've always been there, and are triggered by your "No". Memorize those colors. Don't be dismayed. Now you're equipped to know how to respond when, and if you see those colors displayed by anyone ever again. It'll save you a lot of time and materials, and will redirect you to those who do value what you have to offer.
Would you really be bothered by the prospect of never being contacted again by stingy, snippy opportunistic people who think nothing of cheating, shortchanging, stiffing, or stealing from you?
Of course not.
Face it. Even if a creative person has been staring at their ceiling since March, the middle of a pandemic is not the time think it's okay to take advantage of anyone's generosity, skill, talent, time, or effort. Want someone to work? Pay them. (Furthermore, never is the time to take advantage of friends.) You don't know how people are faring, or what they need.
If ever there was a time when "time is money", this is it.
If ever there was a time to hire people; to tangibly show how much they are valued (as opposed to using them), this is it.
Perhaps someone won't mind helping or volunteering, but that needs to be clear, especially to them. Sitting at your house concocting work for other people to do because you think they're not busy enough, is a bit presumptuous. Thinking that people don't need, want, or deserve to be paid for the work they do, is ridiculous. Planning to use someone's work, and excluding them from the revenue is simply not cool. Creatives need cash these days, not compliments.
If anyone is going to profit from your work, whatever you do, it should be you.
There's always someone looking out for creatives, though; always spotting red flags, and questioning shenanigans. I LOVE it when people realize that what they've seen, read, or heard about a matter doesn't make sense, and they go directly to the most credible source for clarification. How is it that a person thinks that they AND their friends or associates should profit off of another person's work--in any way-- and the artist should just be cool with it, or quiet about it?
In what part of the brain does logic like that originate?
How does someone cop an attitude, and play dumb about facilitating it?
What kind of Twelve-Years-A-Slave crap is that? How is the worker the bad guy for speaking up and refusing to sit idly by while others cash in?
It's funny how a creative's best effort can go from "amazing", and "wonderful" to "It ain't all that" when people can't get it for free, or use it how they want. They'll learn though, when the next creative they assume is a sucker, requires a hefty, non-refundable deposit before they even leave home or lift a talented finger.
Perhaps it's the nature of creatives to want to contribute that often leaves them lacking. Walking away empty handed gets old quickly. Consumers must graduate to seeing the contributions of creatives as legitimate work. It's unfortunate how much good fails to materialize because people want the arts, but don't mind ripping off artists.
Want to know what REALLY happened?
Are you curious why the thing that was promised, or anticipated fell through? Are you wondering:
Why the project petered out?
Why the doors were closed?
Why the event was cancelled?
Why the merchandise isn't available?
Why the presses stopped?
Why the show didn't go on?
Pay attention to who's handling the business. Notice who is, and isn't engaged in damage control.
Want to know why a good thing turned sour? Ask the creatives.
The truth might be as boring as hell, but at least you'll know it.
Nine times out of ten, the problem involves either an overzealous representative, poor communication, the mishandling of, and unfair, unwise, or non-existent distribution of resources or revenue, or an artist who finally had enough of working for free.
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WHO'S SPEAKING FOR YOU?
There are conscientious representatives, and then there are needy, power-seeking individuals who've finagled their way into, or have been given tasks purely to keep them appeased, loyal, or occupied. The former will be valuable and efficient. They will remember that everything they do and say will be a reflection of their leader or employer's standards and practices. The latter, however, will let their assignments go to their heads, and run amok.
Choosing representatives should be a sober task, not a haphazard, shady one. Poorly chosen reps tend to overstep their boundaries, and develop a sense of superiority. They'll begin to behave and speak as if they ARE their bosses. In their zeal to impress the boss, they forget how to communicate with tact and respect with those upon whom the success of the business depends. They'll twist the tone of requests, foster confusion, sow division, conflict, and competition. They'll be so busy trying to please the boss that they'll offend and mishandle everyone else. Their wishes, perks, and preferences will matter more to them than the will, concerns, and interests of any and everyone else. The number of times they'll drop the boss's name in order to get their way, or intimidate others, increases the longer they're on the job.
If you’re the boss, those who really know you, will soon tire of, be amused by, and even ignore your poorly chosen representatives. They'll understand that you may need help from time to time. They'll feign compliance, but they'll always, ALWAYS take their cues from the person they respect: YOU. As the flunkies engage in busyness to impress you, and make even the simplest things more convoluted than they have to be, everyone else will remain focused on the principal thing. There comes a point when the antics of the reps become a running joke.
Those who DON'T know you, however, will assume that you cosign the arrogance, inconsideration, incompetence, and snark of those who so poorly represent you. After all, you appointed them. Your flunkies may be giving you Dr. Jeckyll, but everyone else gets Mr. Hyde, and you, as the ultimately responsible person, can't turn a blind eye to that. Don't let the immaturity, lack of finesse or strange ethics of those you choose to work for you, wreck your working (or personal) relationships, or sabotage potential, future opportunities.
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