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I wanna wax poetic about being a content creator and collabs for a bit. I think one of the hardest parts of being a creator/creative is coming to terms with value. Because it seems like something that is objective, but in a lot of creative roles can totally be subjective. (1/?)
Especially since it's always going to be looked at from two perspectives. Yours and the person who you want to work with. Also, if we're being completely honest, your value is either going to be immensely inflated or deflated. With each one having their cross to bear. (2/?)
Creatives with inflated value will believe that they are geniuses in need of their big break. All they need is one shot and they'll take over the whole scene. The benefit of this, makes for a bold creative that takes risks and has no qualms snatching opportunities. (3/?)
However, this can lead to entitlement and a bit of laziness. They'll feel like they're waiting on the opportunity with no need to focus on perfecting the craft. This can also breed impatience with the processes and unnecessary competitiveness with peers.(4/?)
Then there are the creatives who undervalue themselves and never think they're ready enough to go forward with their plans and dreams. However, these folks tend to be perfectionists and can crank out completely polished work because they spend so long getting it "ready". (5/?)
These folks can end up being underpaid or kept from rising above their current position because they'll question if they are ready for it. While I hate speaking in binaries, for the sake of discussion I feel these are the two creative attitudes you typically see. (6/?)
I lay these out so you can find which you identify with, for the self reflection needed to get into the point of my rambling today. Which is, I think everyone should push themselves out of their comfort zone this year. There are a lot of reasons we aren't where we would... (7/?)
..to be, and A LOT of those things are out of our control. The biggest thing that has helped me move forward in my career is focusing on the things I can. You will lose jobs because of petty bullshit and you will lose jobs because you weren't ready. (8/?)
One of those things you can't control, so focus on the things you can. This also goes with trying to collaborate with other creators. Try not to take things personally, cause when you're creating shit can seem so personal and it will end up having nothing to do with you. (9/?)
But, you already went and cussed them out via email or dragged them on Twitter and they don't wanna work with you when the stars do align. This isn't me saying let someone disrespect you. In all of this hypotheticals, we're talking about valid opportunities and rejections.(10/?)
I WILL say, however, sometimes holding off on letting the choppa sang immediately in disrespectful situations, can lead to some major comebacks and just desserts, but I'm gonna let y'all move with your own gut and heart on that one. (11/?)
Now, to the point, sorry I ramble. I want you to be honest with yourself about collabs and opps. Are you trying to collaborate with the people you THINK you should be collaborating with or are you collaborating with the people who WANT to collab with you? Read that again. (12/?)
I've seen people do THE MOST to work with some of these big media companies, finally get that opportunity and take an L cause they weren't ready and never get that chance again. I've seen people work with the biggest names and see no growth whatsoever. (13/?)
I've also seen two small creators blow up together and I've seen smaller folks become so undeniable these media companies have come knocking on their door or asking other folks about them. Other side of the coin though, have you been getting in your own way? (14/?)
Have you been getting emails from these companies you've been dying to work with, but are too afraid to respond because you think you'll fuck it up? Has a creator you adore hit you up to do something and you never followed up? You better claim that shit! (15/?)
I have seen so many dope people convince folks not to pay them/hire them. Some folks are so afraid to fail that they never take the chance and that's the saddest story. Give THEM the chance to make the mistake of not hiring, then don't believe them. (16/?)
You will never be one job away from blowing up, it will be a shit ton of jobs with one stand out that people will attribute it to and you'll be like "nah, I been grinding". You gotta trust in yourself and that's important, but you also gotta fw your peers. (17/?)
There will be people SO SALTY one of their peers are getting burn, will publicly subtweet them, and then wonder why no one wants to work with them. We all see ya tweets and we all know who that subtweet is about. You never are as slick as you think you are! (18/?)
The best thing you can do is be happy when ya homies get some work over you because it will happen often, so it's good to get used to it, not sweat it, and move on to the next opp. I promise it makes it more fun and make you seem like a fun person that friend... (19/?)
...wants to recommend to another gig that they can't do because they already booked the gig you wanted to be salty about. Trust me it makes it so much easier! Lastly, this isn't to say you can't be mad at missed ops or that you shouldn't try to collab up... (20/?)
...this is just to say to not take it personally, and know it's all a part of the painful journey of being a creator. I can add so much more qualifiers, but my content settings will filter out everyone who will try and be intentionally obtuse pedant assholes. (21/21)
