10 insights from 10 years of creative entrepreneurship
What I learned as a freelance artist
Depending on how I calculate, I've been self-employed for 10 or more years.
Basically, I've been self-employed for as long as I can remember.
At age 15 I already earned my pocket money with babysitting and tutoring. Later, while I was studying, I wrote my first invoices as a translator and proofreader. In 2014 I finally officially registered with the tax office as a “freelancer” and began my adventure in the cultural sector. Apart from a few episodes in a few part-time jobs, I was never employed anywhere.
Independence was always important to me, even though I was never able to enjoy the advantages of a permanent position. Despite everything, I wouldn't necessarily want to swap. Because the last 10 years have not only been a wild roller coaster ride, but also the most educational of my life.
What follows are 10 insights from the last 10 years as an independent artist and creative worker.
Number 1: You have no clue at the beginning — and that's a good thing
Believe me, even if you think you know what you're getting yourself into when you're just starting out on your own, you don't know sh*t. Would someone travel back in time to retrospectively tell my beginner self what would happen to me, I would probably change my mind… In this respect: it's good that you start motivated and naïve at the beginning. This gives you the strength to try your luck.
Number 2: Nobody cares about you
Yes I know. We think we're the greatest. We think what we have to give to the world is the best thing ever – but only for us. Most people out there don't give a sh*t about you, your art and creative outpourings. Humanity is fundamentally preoccupied with itself.
You will feel this often enough. Building a community, fan base or customer base is hard work. Because no one is interested in you unless you arouse their interest.
Number 3: Clear values and boundaries are essential for survival
If you don't want to remain the plaything of others, then you will have to learn to be worth something to yourself. You will need self-confidence, clear values and boundaries to survive in the business world without being exploited.
Number 4: Failure is part of it
You won't always get everything right. You will make wrong decisions, overestimate yourself and fall flat on your face. This will happen several times. The important thing is that you get up every time and mentally press “reset”. You learn from your mistakes.
Number 5: Less is more
Don't take on too much! Don't try to do everything yourself! I know at the beginning you are motivated and feel like you have endless power, but you will find that a working day only has a maximum of 12–14 hours. You can't take on an infinite number of jobs at the same time, juggle multiple projects at the same time, and deliver the same performance everywhere. Sooner or later, the quality will suffer, and your motivation will decrease. In this respect: go slowly and, above all, concentrate on a few things and do them with care.
Number 6: You alone are responsible
As a self-employed person, you are boss and employee in one person. You are fully responsible for all your decisions and professional development. As a result, in difficult times — and they will come — there is no one who will save you. You have to pull your cart out of the dirt yourself at all times.
Number 7: Risk becomes your new friend
At the latest, after the first financial dry spell, you will find out whether you can cope with the lack of security or not. You will have to learn to deal with uncertainty and risk. You will have to find your way with existential fears and uncertainty. Risk will always accompany you as a self-employed person. As an artist or creative, you never know whether your new idea will take off or fail. But if you don't risk it, you'll never find out.
Number 8: You need the courage to take the gap
No matter how conscientious, careful and perfectionist you are: the day will come when external circumstances, crises, etc. will force you to show the courage to take a gap. Be it the bill that you won't be able to pay on time or other unforeseeable circumstances that will put you to the test. The important thing is that you don't bury your head in the sand and carry on. If you're self-employed, it's better to give up the desire to control everything if you don't want to perish under your own demands.
Number 9: Consistency is a lie
No matter how well your job is going, know that this is only temporary. Don’t assume that this will continue for the next few months (and certainly not years!). If that's the case, then that's nice. But you will be much better off if you acknowledge that the world is constantly changing. The job market is changing rapidly. Assuming consistency is naïve and makes you sluggish and inflexible. Only if you learn to live with change and adapt to change will you be able to survive. Otherwise, others will pass by and you will be left behind.
Number 10: You're always wiser afterward
Everything I know today is the result of the last few years. Today I know many things that were completely unknown to me some time ago. There is no point in regretting past decisions. Of course, there are things I wish I had known earlier. It might have saved me time and trouble, but I just wasn't ready at the time. I have done the best I could at every point in my life.
Don't worry about the person you once were and the mistakes you made from today's perspective. We're all smarter afterward.
You are only as far as you are at that moment. That's okay. Don't go crazy. Enjoy the adventure!
Self-employment is a never-ending learning process. You continue to develop continuously. Depending on your professional focus, you will need to continue your training regularly. Technological progress and digital media really challenge us to deal with the latest tools, platforms, and services. We cannot afford to stand still – especially as creative people. This makes our work an exciting field that never loses its relevance. One thing is certain: we will never be bored.
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