Reading Update #3: Network or else…

Another Wednesday, another reading update.

I didn’t finish reading Part two but I did get to page 79 which is about half through part two (woot woot*small celebration*).

So far I have learned to that in order to be in a position where your art makes a difference in this world, you need to have an editor. Someone you can trust to give you solid feedback on your work.

Seth Godin explains that “being really good is merely the first step. In order to earn word of mouth, you need to make [your product] safe, fun, and worthwhile to overcome the social hurdles to spread the word.”

My dilemma is my current network and people I surround myself with do not have much experience in the creative world. It is easier for me to procrastinate and not take my creative work serious because I do not have any friend or mentor that can give me relatable feedback that helps me improve because. Their perspective is also limited because they do not have experience in growing a creative business.

The approach I am taking to fix this dilemma is buying my way into a different network. I have paid to be a part of the Bonnie Christine Immerssion Study Group, paid to take Background Design and Drawing at Austin Community College with professor and dean of department, Linda Smarzik and paid for Bumble Premium to try out their Bumble Bizz option . All these different approaches will hopefully get me a mentor and friends that understand what I am trying to grow and be a part of.

Simply buying access isn’t going to fix my problem of growing a creative business but it will give me better tools and access to information that I can learn to implement into my business.

Another quote from Perennial Seller that helped me make this decision to invest in my network is from Neil Gaiman.

“Remember: When people tell you something’s wrong or doesn’t work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.”

I am realizing I am missing the opportunity for growth by not having a mentor and/or editor that can help me improve my work. I believe nothing good will happen if I don’t grow my network and implement what I learn.

Reibert-Anthony