Cartooning as a business - Part 2: List of ideals
Published by Jason December 14th, 2007 in Business TipsHere’s the second instalment in Jason’s series on the business side of cartooning….
I work a day job.
It’s something I am good at but it’s not something I want to do forever. I would love to have enough money so I could draw part time and explore other opportunities in life which didn’t require me to work for someone else. So I am always reading books and attending seminars about succeeding in business and finding
I have a number of books and audio by Robert Kiyosaki, an American investor who has released a number of books and audio on the subject. Robert, (in one of the audio CDs I was listening to whilst drawing cartoons one night) suggested the following list of points when planning on becoming financially free. Now whilst the list certainly works for getting ahead financially, I couldn’t help but notice that the same list of variables could also apply to us as cartoonists.
Control Spending.
This goes without saying.
Control Time.
I think the easiest way to do this is to stay away from the internet. If you draw ‘old school’ (using pencil, pen and paper) like I do, don’t turn on your computer. If you draw using a tablet, keep all web browsers closed. If you’re anything like me you’re easily distracted and big on procrastinating (see point 7) then it doesn’t take much to get away from doing what you do. Schedule time to draw and stick to it.
Always challenge comfort zones.
Post a webcomic (even if you don’t know anything about html). Create merchandise. Send you work to places you normally wouldn’t. What is the worst that could happen?
Think, “How can I?”
Borrow philosophies from successful businesses
Or, in this circumstance, borrow from successful cartoonists. Think, “What do Scott Adams / Gary Larson / Scott Kurtz et al do well and how can I do the same?”
Be hungry to learn - Don’t procrastinate
By far, the biggest killer of motivation / progress. When you begin to procrastinate, think, “What can I be doing instead that will move me forward?”
Accept responsibility.
Don’t blame others. If you send out your work to publications and don’t get used, don’t say,” Well, they obviously don’t get my stuff.” think, “Perhaps my work isn’t good enough / right for that publication, how can I make myself better?”
Take continual action.
Always find ways to get better and improve.
Don’t go it alone.
I think that this is more to do with finding other people who can help your work and make you get better. Who can you turn to, to help you move forward? Who can help with the finances?
Do things differently.
When something isn’t working, try something different. Who knows what may arise. Take your strip in another direction. Try a different technique.
What do you think?
Boy, that IS some great advice! What’s the name of that tape? I’d love to hear it!
Thanks! –Sherm
It is good advice, but nothing particularly new … but the internet part is true. I’ll have to start (or stop) doing some much of that.
Really Matt’s how to on this site gives much the same advice with more specifics for cartooning.
Generally the value of business guru’s is to be a motivational speaker … a cheerleader of sorts generally saying “just do something” pursue your dreams, etc. I think the know two things about human nature … 1) we want people to encourage us to do what we want to do anyway (even if or because we are afraid to take risks) and 2) we will rationalize our decision to be the best one whether we take their advice or not. For example, if we drop everything and pursue our dream … whatever the outcome we did it … good for us. If we decide not to, or something in between, good for us because we are practical and responsible.
Not taking away from the power of positive thinking. There are tapes and messages I like to … but it does often come down to like a generic self-help for dummies book!
BTW - I was 21 years in business consulting before going to “fulltime” freelance cartooning. I made a great decision … [pat, pat]
Hi Sherm,
Sorry for the reply here, but I’ve left your email at home! The list is from one of Robert Kiyosaki’s 12 CDs “Choose to be Rich”. I wrote down the list one night a couple of months ago when I was cartooning and thought that all of the points related to what we do and how we could get ahead as cartoonists. I took the liberty to slightly modify it for our own needs. I don’t remember the exact CD number but it’s definately within the first couple of CDs in the list (I have them on my mp3 player so I don’t recall which one.
Hope this helps. I love the work on your site, it’s fantastic and I love the Spongebob piece you’ve just posted (however I’m a sucker for raw penciled images). By all means stay in touch.
Cheers,
Jason.
Thanks for the info, Jason…sometimes a little motivational wisdom can help me to see the light at the end of a deadline. I’ll check out those tapes, and I really appreciate your kind words, too. I’m subscribed to the feed for Chewing Pencils, so I’ll keep my eye out for your guest articles.
Thanks again… ^_^ Sherm