Fanu/FatGyver
patreon
Career protips / thoughts
🕑 Added 2023-08-09 12:10:19 +0000 UTCThat subject may be a bit cheesy or whatever, but it serves its purpose!
I haven't done a written post in a while, but I've been meaning to; got many on my notepad ready to go (there are many videos on the way, so trying to keep it a bit varied, too).
One I have had there for the longest is lists of short thoughts relating to one's career/success etc. These could be applied to being an artist, being a freelancer, running one's business, working with labels, etc.
So let's do these bite-size things every once in a while!
These are quite condensed, but I can assure these are true, based on my experience at least.
These are partly based on convos I have had with students / patrons / people I have mentored.
Having been one with a somewhat special skillset, having made my living that way for a good while, and having worked on some of my interests since I was a teenager, here's my stone-cold facts relating to that lifestyle. The older I get, the more I can assure you these are true.
• The more time you spend on what you are good at, the higher the chance that that becomes your living or at least a part of it.
• The better you do what you can do, the higher the chance that the work comes to you instead of you having to look or ask for for it.
• Taking risks is a must to grow and progress. Risks and work don’t always feel comfortable. It often feels "logical" and "safer" to turn down the risky moves that make you shit your pants and stay with what you feel safe with, even though it may not take your any further. Comfort zone may stall your progress.
Example: when I fully wanted to try and expand my audio business (which is now a full-time living, and has been for 8 years), I dropped ALL my other work so I could concentrate on the audio engineering thing fully in many ways (learning, focusing, offering my services).
I was doing a bit of teaching and language work at that time, and I just dropped it.
• Handling one task well may bring a lot more, so always treat every single task with equal respect and handle them as well as you can. The word always goes around, so never forget that.
• People that take more than 2 emails and messages to get back to you are not worth your time.
• Being good at your craft attracts a lot of people who want your expertise but won’t offer you anything in return. Don’t feel bad for not helping those people – time can be a luxury.
• …but on the other hand, helping people may spread a good word about you and earn you projects. Kindness you invest in life comes back to you manyfold.
• Being truly great at something, with a great reputation, beats paying for ads.
• Over the years, you develop a hunch in terms of how people/clients/etc feel when they approach you and who you might want to avoid. Your gut feeling is right most of the time. Every single weird case I have had, I have kind of sensed very early on, and have still accepted the project, sort of against my inner sense that I should probably avoid it...and I have regretted that later on. Listen to that voice.
• Be you. Don't stress it. Those who accept you as you are belong on your path, and those who don't aren't meant to be there.
• You will lose people along the way, but also meet new ones who you vibe with. What you are and represent will attract similar-minded people.
• Focusing fully on what you do may mean your circle of friends isn’t huge and you don’t go out much (I admit I am a total hermit, but I also do not have shame in admitting that!). A few good close people who resonate at your wavelength and who you can feed off of mean more than a large social circle of "empty friends". Don’t feel bad for being a bit of a hermit when it takes you closer to where you want to be. In the end, fulfilment is the goal.
• On the road to success, you must also fail a lot. It is unlikely that you will get successful at what you do unless you try things out, fail at some, win at some. Do not be afraid to get your hands dirty. Do not let the failures discourage you: they are to teach you. One should call them "experience" and not failures, actually.
Like me doing this post, heh: if it gets zero likes and comments, I will consider it a "fail" and not post about such stuff again 😜 But you need to try things out.
I would love to hear any thoughts of your in this vein!
📹 ...got some videos coming soon, so stay tuned, video lovers! Got more Headz walkthrus, bass stuff, Choppin Science etc!
🤔 PS: Should I do a (paid?) Discord server??
🤔 PPS: You may have noticed I am doing a bit of a social detox thing (personal FB, IG, Twitter)...can recommend!
Comments
Janne Hatula
I've been having this thought every now and then over the years, ha! Not sure how well it'd sell hehe :P
Shane Newville
Eventually you should make a book in a similar vibe. If nothing else one of those books with short bits of wisdom and advice for reading on the toilet I'd buy
Shane Newville
Discord is a great way to connect since its real time. Ive been to a few music servers and can confirm, you're definitely going to want some rules and as well as admin/moderators helping to keep it safe. It can get pretty out of hand without. Ive seen it done where its open to public with limited access, but paying patreon members get full access to all channels. That might be something to consider too. Probably going to take some trial and error to figure out the best way. But either way, discord would be cool.
Ben Hill
I know almost nothing about Discord but would be up for trying to help out with admin if you need. Perhaps others would too.
Ben Hill
I've been hanging out in a couple of servers recently and finding them useful. There's been a couple of vids where you've discussed a technique (often with an accompanying break or whatever) - I often have a little go at emulating and playing around with the idea - I thought it might be interesting to share and compare notes with anyone else who's doing the same - Discord could be good for that
Janne Hatula
I'd definitely be there, involved! I guess with the slightly increased time+focus i have gained thru doing socials break has made think again that Discord would be great. But then again, it'd be like replacing one distraction with another, and I know it would prob be one of things needing more of my time and attention. I wish Patreon had its own little chat room type thing!
Shaelibri
Having subscribed to a few patreon/discord combos, my take is that the creators of the best production-related Discord channels spend a lot of time participating in discussion, as opposed to just appearing occasionally to announce new Patreon content. In the absence of the creator, participant-driven discussion tends to dwindle to nothing very quickly. If offering a Discord will take away time from what you already put into your outstanding Patreon content, in my own interests I would argue against it. Oh, and social media sucks.
James Green
Discord could be fun. Would be nice to have a little community to chat about important topics like obscure breaks, renoise geekery and sample choppage. 🙂
Janne Hatula
🤔 PS: Should I do a (paid?) Discord server?? 🤔 PPS: You may have noticed I am doing a bit of a social detox thing (personal FB, IG, Twitter)...can recommend!
