You are good at what you do, and it should be wonderful to have someone to just ‘deal’with it when it comes to money so that you can focus on what you do best. Or maybe you want to do a lot of the work yourself but want someone to use as a sounding board. Ideally you are setting up a team to help YOU make decisions.
A word of caution: don’t overdo it with advisers. They can end up costing you and eat into any profits you may make.
Choose the right people to help you. Look at it like casting a play. Of course you are the start, but you need a supporting cast. So to fill those roles, hold auditions. The angents get the work, handle the paperwork, negotiate the fees, and collect the money. No fuss, no muss. You can focus on what you do best. You do what you do best and delegate the rest to these competent, trustworthy and smart people. They are probably also creative people themselves who have worked their way up and yet still understand the life of a creative profession. Almost all of them get a percentage of what you get so they don’t nickel – and – dime me to death.
Be Your Own Guru
Don’t walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of may for I may not follow. Don’t walk beside me either. Just leave me the hell alone! That’s how a lot of creative people feel. For good reason. They have had horrible experiences with agents, accountants and advisers and wonder why the hell they pay someone so much money to do next to nothing. Much of the mumbo jumbo language in money mangement circles is there to mystify money and make it seem like it is more complicated than it really is. Why would the industry do that? So you are forced to work with advisers and brokers, that ‘s why.
Nobody cares about you and your money like you do. Only you know your tolerance to risk, fear and worries, as well as your dreams and goals. You can try to convey them to an adviser but it may fall on deaf ears.
QUICK QUIZ
Should you ask for help? Answer these questions and then decide
- I hate negotiating deals and dealing with money.
- I hate reading contracts and the fine print contained in them
- I have no interest in managing my own money
- I am easily intimidated
- I don’t trust myself when it comes to money
One or more ‘yes’ answers, and I think you should at least consider it
The Hero's Journey in London 