If you are a creative person, you probably know the excitement that comes when inspiration strikes. You have an idea for a new song, an art piece, a dance routine. You probably have a keen eye when if comes to finding beauty or complexity in even the most mundane things. Being a creative person is fun; it makes you the life of the party. It impresses and wows people, and if we’re lucky, it even moves people’s hearts and makes the world a better place.
But raise you’re hand if you’ve ever heard one of these:
“So, what’s you’re back-up plan?”
“Yeah, but you can’t really make money doing that.”
“So, you’re saying you’re going to be flipping burgers for a living?”
Yes, I’ve gotten all of these comments in some form or another. Perhaps one of the hardest things about being a person with creativity is being around people who have none! The world of professional artists must be hard to understand from the outside, but people could at least try, ya know??
While myself and many other actors have learned to brush off comments like these, I can’t help but think about the subconsious messages they are instilling in us:
That artists will never have access to a platform that will allow us to make money.
Creative people aren’t good with planning or logistical sides of operations.
You don’t have any control over the opportunities you are presented with.
Well it’s become my mission to tell you that these things are SIMPLY ARE NOT TRUE. Since becoming a little business nerd, I’ve become CONVINCED that there are many creative skills that convert well to the business world. Frankly, I’m not sure why people aren’t talking more about what valuable assets creative people can be for corporations, let alone how good artists can be at running their own businesses.
If you need some encouragement or convincing that you too can succeed at business and not be doomed to the life of a starving artist, I gotchu!!
Creative People Take Risks
“Make choices!”
This practice was drilled into me as I was training to be an actor. It’s not something people are typical born with the natural tendency to do. People love to make calculations and play it safe. However, sometimes you just need to throw something out there, totally aware that it might fail! Trial and error is one of the best learning tools we have, and artists are more comfortable doing this than anyone.
For actors, making choices on stage was sometimes terrifying. If you suddenly decide your character needs a thick Ukrainian accent, the director could abruptly stop the show to ask you “what the heck?” Sometimes your bold choice to jump on the table in the middle of the scene didn’t pay off, and sometimes it’s exactly what it needs to make the audience burst out laughing.
Being a competent person in business means you need to take risks sometimes. You need to be willing to put yourself out there. This might looks like charging your clients more for your services because you know that’s what your competitors charge. It might look like calling out someone else in your company for not conforming to your company’s ethics. It could look like trying a bold new marketing technique, even though you know if might not work. All of these qualities can help propel a business forward or increase your profitability.
Artists Are Charismatic
When I was interviewing for a college job at the campus rock wall/ropes course program, my boss never actually told me I got the job. I think I realized half-way through our coffee-shop interview that he was speaking in future tense. (i.e. “when you do this…” “I can see you becoming a manager by this time…”)
Now I actually had some ropes course experience under my belt; which he didn’t bring up at all in the interview.
“Oh, I always work with actors whenever I get the chance to. They do really well in this type of job.”
This astounded me. How could I get a job from simply being an actor, rather than my previous relative experience?
It turns out being an actor has a lot of skills that translate well to other jobs. We’re comfortable speaking in front of crowds. We are exceptional improvisors. Actors show up prepared and add their creative flare to what they’re doing. Actors interact with people well.
Not to mention, they have strong communication skills! Something highly sought after in every position out there!
*So there you go- if you’re creative person, you can add “excellent written/verbal communication skills to your resume right now.” Do it!
Natural Storytellers
One way that businesses excel is by connecting a story to their mission. How cool is it when you come across a local company that has a rich history? Or when you discover the humble roots of a large corporation? Human beings love stories; they have been telling them for thousands of years. Having a good story teller on your team who really understands the narrative of a company is a huge asset.
Storytellers love to connect the dots. They love to see to see how all the cogs of a machine work together to create a piece of art. Someone who works for a company while truly understanding their mission, their history, and the ideal client experience will definitely be serving their company well.
Extremely Hard Workers
Say what you want about actors, they are extremely hard working. The ones that are not quickly get burned out, but the ones with a truly exceptional work ethic are worth their weight in gold. While studying to be an actor, I was often putting in 14 hour days- right alongside my classmates too. Sure there was passion for the craft involved, but those days also taught me the discipline of sticking to a craft.
What sets creative people apart from other professionals is that they are accustomed to working in extremely competitive fields and still finding their edge to stand out. A good artist will rise to the challenge of getting a competitive edge in business because it’s what they’ve always had to deal with. Plus, they’ll get that edge with more style, creativity, and ease than their non-artistic counterparts.
If you’ve ever put in hours of unpaid work for your craft, you know what hard work is. Artists have the benefit of knowing what is is to work hard from a place of passion, rather than simply for profit.
Creative people have Critical Thinking Skills
Listen: when you’ve been require to debate the central message of a play that is easily over 2,000 years old with some other angsty 20-somethings, you learn a thing or two about critical thinking.
If you’ve ever had a piece of art you’ve been working on critiqued, you’ve had to expand your mind to include that person’s viewpoint, while still keeping your artistic self-esteem. It’s a hard balancing act! You have to understand other’s personal biases, respect them, and then decide if they serve you, and move on.
I could think of an example for each of the 7 critical thinking skills (observation, analysis, interpretation, reflection, evaluation, inference, explanation, problem solving, and decision making) that I have had to encounter in theatre. If you’re an artist, I bet you can think of how you’ve had to implement these as well.
For me, sometimes it will look like crossing a dimly lit stage at a break-neck pace while staying in character. For other creatives, it may look like designing a piece that is simultaneously relevant, progressive, funny, and inclusive. You get the idea; artists have to tackle the impossible.
Related: How To Stay Creative When You Don’t Know What To Do
Artists Essentially Run Their Own Businesses
If you haven’t realized it by now, being an artist is and can be a lucrative career! Think about the artists in your field you look up to and have inspired you to be in the arts. The very act of being themselves is essentially like running their own business. Sometimes this might look a little more obvious, i.e. running a brick-and-mortar studio or having an online shop. Other times it might be a bit harder to truly see. Actors have to develop their brand just as much as an LLC. They need to know what their niche is, who their ideal audience is, market themselves appropriately, and make connections with other people who have the results they want.
Furthermore, many artists have to proactively pursue their career opportunities, perhaps more than any other profession. They have to know how to hustle and position themselves in the line of fire for opportunities. They understand that if they sit on their hands, their career is going to die. Sure agencies and education are helpful tools, but oftentimes an artist is a true solopreneur.
Related: 15 Side Hustles and Survival Job Ideas For Performers
So what’s Next for Creatives?
So my friend, if you are an artist that is scratching your head about what to do during this time, I just want you to know this: you already have so many of the necessary skills to succeed in business, and probably some bonus ones too!
What should you do with these skills during this time where the future of the arts is in limbo? I’d love to hear your ideas! You can start your own side hustle, or business, or nonprofit. You can start working for a company and enhance your business skills even more. Once your realize that all the skills that make you an artist can be used for any area of life you choose, your options are limitless!
If you’re thinking of diving deeper into the business, please check out these posts here:
8 Resume Tips To Know Before You Start Applying
How To Thrive In Your Survival Job
Don’t forget to pin this on Pinterest to refer to later!
