A positive professional reputation in any line of work is hard won and important to keep.
Artists already have it tough sometimes, considering the pervasive and often comical stereotypes floating around out in the ether that are hard to dispel. Artists are often pigeonholed as weirdly eccentric, difficult, or simply unable to communicate effectively; of course this isn’t true of most artists- some of us, sure- not most though. How do you ensure that you aren’t heaped in with those artists that don’t observe the most basic professional guidelines for running their business? Let me share a story with you.
I recently took an artist workshop recently and loved it. The artist who taught it was from another city and had been invited into town to teach. The artist expressed a desire to teach more workshops in the city but needed a place to teach. I loved this workshop so much that I told the artist I’d be more than happy to look for a venue if they contacted me with potential dates for another course. I’d help facilitate things. Also, this artist planned to do a follow up online meeting with the original attendees of the initial workshop I attended. An email was sent out to the group and a time was set for 5pm the following Saturday for the online streaming session.
I was very excited for the session. I put it on my schedule, moved other things out of the way to make myself available and was where I needed to be by 5pm. As I sat in front of my computer ready, five o’clock came and went. 5:15. 5:20. 5:30. At this point, I checked my email to make sure there wasn’t an email I missed to reschedule the session, make sure I had the right day and right time. It just never happened. Over the course of the next couple days I waited for a follow up message and explanation to come; it didn’t. For something to be posted somewhere; it wasn’t. I wrote an email to the artist to ask what happened it wasn’t answered. It wasn’t until I sent a message through a social media network that there was a response: the artist had decided last minute to accept a work offer which conflicted with the follow up session time, so the session and the 13 students got kicked to the curb. The artist felt no excuses needed and therefore none were given. No apology. Nada. Just didn’t show up for what was essentially a business meeting with 13 clients, a week passed and there was no follow up communication of any kind.
I decided right then that it would not be a smart idea to enter into any future agreement with this individual. Why? Number one: Rudeness, but several other reasons loom large: this person wasn’t professional, not trustworthy, and valued their time more than anyone else’s. I will never suggest this artist’s services to anyone. Am I interested in subjecting someone else to that type of inconsiderate treatment and having them come back to me to share that they had this type of experience? Nope. Absolutely not.
This is a cautionary tale though. Don’t jeopardize your business, your brand, and relationships unnecessarily when just basic practices could ensure success when it comes to interacting with clients, patrons, and your tribe. Just a little consideration of others goes a very long way.
Here are four very easy ways to maintain your sense of professionalism under almost any circumstances as well as establish great working relationships from the start:
1. Treat clients and supporters with respect.
As an artist or creative entrepreneur your clients, supporters, patrons, and fans are your tribe. They are the people who love you and love your work. They already know you, so this is by far the easiest rule to observe. Treat your tribe and your crew with respect. Simply stated: don’t be a jerk. Be considerate when you meet them in person. Be decent when you interact online. There’s nothing wrong with being honest and truthful; it is possible to show respect and be honest. Being respectful is a whole lot easier than being the opposite.
2. Everyone’s time is valuable, not just yours.
For whatever reason, some individuals believe their time is more important than anyone else’s on the planet; time passes faster for these individuals and is somehow made of gold. Totally not possible and definitely not true. We are all human. Time is important to all of us in some way. That said: if you have an appointment, get there at least 5 minutes early. You have a deadline over estimate how much time you might need to ensure you finish on time if necessary. I know most would advise observing these practices because you potentially jeopardize future business, I advise these practices because they are considerate of other people and we should all endeavor to be so…at least most of the time.
3. Communicate.
One major problem with most humans is that they are silent when they most should speak and speak when they should remain silent. When someone sends you an email or leaves you a voicemail asking you to show your fabulous artwork, dance your amazing dance, or do whatever makes you fantastic and be handsomely compensated, now isn’t the time to be uncommunicative. Respond to the email, call people back. It takes just a few minutes. Communicating also extends to social media. The point is to be social. It offers the opportunity to connect with people anywhere in the world. If fans post on your page, are excited about your new work, or congratulate you on your new collaboration, take a moment to acknowledge them.
4. Follow Through.
This is one of the most important components to being an artist for hire/artist entrepreneur/creative professional and a practice that some artists have a tough time with. What you produce is your business. Your art and your creativity are your products. If you don’t fulfill a client/customer contract or if you aren’t dependable when it comes to a commission or delivery of a piece, this is a problem. Clients might feel that they can’t trust you; if you don’t have trust, it’s kind of difficult to move forward from there. Adhere to contract times, deliver work according to agreed upon schedules or come up with alternative solutions to issues if necessary.