“Artist Status”

“Once you are making things of your own, you’re no longer completely in anyone’s shadow. You can be derivative, or you can be trying too hard to distinguish yourself, or you can hope in your heart that the older artist recognizes the way you’re paying homage, but the fact of the matter is that once you start making things, once you take that leap, you have the same status as any other artist. I’m not saying that you’re as good. I’m not saying that you’re as important. But all of a sudden it’s a difference of degree rather than a difference of kind.” 
–Questlove 

When I started my freelance career, there were a few key characters who gave me a chance early on. They hired me, even when I didn’t quite have the relevant experience, and even when they weren’t totally sure if I could deliver. 

For a long time, I felt like I owed them my career. 

I’m not sure where I got this notion, but it led me to a lot of bad habits. I felt like I had to say “yes” to anything they asked me to do. I felt like I always had to pick up the phone, always respond to emails, always make magic happen. 

This kept me overpaid and underworked long after I had already proven myself. 

This quote from Questlove reminded me of a lesson I learned a few years ago. That you don’t get “put on.” You get “put in.” 

In the digital age, gatekeepers don’t have the power to “put you on,” or “make you a big star” anymore. There’s more talent in the first five minutes scrolling TikTok than a scout or a manager could ever find 30 years ago. No one can “put you on” and guarantee success or fame anymore. 

But you do get “put in the game.” And anytime a coach decides to put someone in a game, it’s because they choose to. Either they don’t have other options, or their usual choice isn’t performing, or the stakes of the game are low enough that they want to see what you can do. Either way, it’s their choice, and they can’t control how well you play. Once you get put in the game, it’s up to you to perform and deliver. 

Just by nature of being there, you’ve earned it. This idea is the inspiration for the title of my new book, What Gives You the Right to Freelance? By being the one available, being the one offering a service, you’ve earned it. 

Of course this doesn’t mean you’ll get a call back, or you’ll be successful. But if someone puts you in, you earned that opportunity all by yourself. Whether by guts, or networking, or skill…you’ve earned it. The opportunity is yours. 

The only person you owe something to now, is yourself. You owe it to yourself to make the best work you can with the resources in front of you. 

Welcome to the game.