This site is focused primarily on helping artists and the creative industries. And in all those instances, you need to think long and hard before accepting commissions or projects.
Why?
Some clients are assholes to work with
They’ll do things like pay you late and use that as a control mechanism over you. Others are dull people and have a dull commission or project. You might get paid, but you’ll hate every moment of it. And you’ll never create your best work for assholes.
Your name, or brand, connected to subpar, uncreative work will lose you future opportunities and damage your reputation.
Some clients are wonderful
They’ll give you creative freedom, to do your very best work. They’ll remember they hired you because you’re the creative soul they need. They will pay you fairly, treat you well and you’ll be inspired to produce exceptional art.
Your name, or brand, connected with outstanding work will win you your next client, and the next, and the next… so long as you avoid working for assholes.
da Vinci learned the hard way
Apparently, Leonardo da Vinci said, ‘The Medici created and destroyed me’. They sponsored him, but for whatever reason, he also thought they destroyed him. That’s what working for assholes does.
Yes, if you’re 90-days away from defaulting on your bills, of course you should accept the commission or project, regardless.
My point is to learn how to identify the assholes and avoid them. Because if you work for a consecutive number of wonderful clients, you’ll never have to work for assholes again.
- There will be a body of your best work out there, made with creative freedom.
- Your best work will motivate your clients to tell everyone about you and your work.
- That’s the type of word-of-mouth recommendation that opens doors for you.
- It also hands you opportunities, which set your trajectory north, fast!
I learned all this the hard way, so you don’t need to. If you know anyone who might find this advice useful, be a friend. Share it with them.
Photo by Goh Rhy Yan