1. Build a following. The creative sector is filled with temp jobs and freelance gigs. There’s no such thing as getting hired at a huge company and being able to stay there for the rest of your life anymore. All things come to an end, even your high paying gigs, but that won't be an issue if you’ve built a following. When you have a following, every time you have time on your calendar, you can make an announcement on your social media accounts to let people know you are available. All it takes is one person to set you up with you next gig. I wish I knew this starting off. Instead, I was too focused on the work to go out and build relationships.
   

2. It’s okay to show incomplete work. In fact, it might even be better to show your failures and disasters. One thing I’ve learned from my many years of studying storytelling is that people love seeing the process. And what makes the process interesting is seeing all the hiccups and failures. People like to be included in the adventure. Give it to them. You have nothing to lose.
   

3. Your first few years as an artist should be focused on building relationships, not making money. I’ve turned down a lot of gigs because I felt they were too low-paying. But I realize now that that was very stupid. Because when it comes to trying to make a name for yourself as an artist, the best thing you can do for yourself is to create as much work as possible and that happens by doing as much work as possible with as many people as possible. But I did the opposite. Nobody ever paid me the rate I wanted. And when I did get a gig I'd just complain about how I'm not making enough. I think I could’ve handled this better if I knew this going into my creative career.
   

4. Your style will change drastically. Embrace it. What you were really into last year will be totally different from what you’re into this year. As a result, you will probably have to rebrand yourself multiple times throughout your career. This is normal. Every time I felt like I’ve hit on something that truly defined me, just a couple months down the line, I’d realize I had to change everything again. Some people find this a rather daunting task. I used to. But I realize now that it really doesn’t matter. Your fan-base won’t go away because they don’t like your new branding / logo / color way. What they care about is you, and if your work is good, you can transform as many times as you want.
   

5. If it’s a hit, keep at it. Once in a blue moon, you’ll hit on something that people really like. If you find this, keep at it. For example, people really liked the Chinese snacks that I photographed against a bright colored background. I didn’t keep at it though. I just moved to the next thing. What I could’ve done was continue riding that wave to build up my fan base. Another lesson learned. Now I know. Don't make the same mistake I made.
   

6. If it’s not a hit, switch. Insanity is constantly doing the same thing and expecting different results. I’m all for maintaining your artistic integrity, so if you’re dead set on sticking to just one style, so be it. However, I also believe that successful artists create art that can connect with their audiences. It’s a bit like music. Some of our favorite musicians, Prince, Michael Jackson, and the Beatles, sang from their heart and stayed true to themselves, but they also did so in a way that other people could connect with. So I guess when I say switch, I mean to find another way to connect with your audience and to not waste your time with the ones that don’t. Learn from each project and keep at it until something becomes a hit, then keep riding that wave for as long as it’s fun.
   

7. The most successful artists aren’t the best artists, they are the ones confident enough to put themselves out there. This was a tough lesson for me to learn. I constantly doubted myself thinking that because I haven’t been published in a big magazine, that I am not “good enough" yet. As a result, I didn't market myself. I stayed in my studio and kept working until I created a masterpiece I can feel proud about showcasing to the world. But you know what happens? These “masterpieces” just end up going unseen because I spent all my time working instead of building relationships (Refer back to Point #1). The most successful artists aren’t those who have the best work, it’s those who have the tenacity to go from door to door and show their work to others regardless of imperfections. The most successful artists go to the people while the rest stay locked up in their lairs waiting to be discovered. Newsflash. That’s never going to happen. So get out there.
   

8. Think about the 3rd sale. The reason why I say it’s absolutely okay to take free or low-paying jobs is because early on in your career what you want to do is to establish the relationship. By doing a good first job with a new client you are ensuring yourself a safety net that this person will come back again. But when you reject every new client, you’re immediately closing a door that will become immensely harder for you to open back up again in the future.
   

9. It’s not over till you say it’s over. The creative journey is much longer than I expected it to be. It’s definitely one of a lifetime. I’ve had so many more failures and rejections than I’d like to admit, and I’ve also had many times when I would’ve wanted to quit. But here’s the thing, it’s not over till you say it’s over. Nobody gets to decide when you quit. Only you have the authority to do that. You also have the authority to continue waking up every morning and creating. Nobody can ever stop you. No matter how many job rejections, failed negotiations, and disappointed clients, you get to decide whether or not you keep going. More often than not, that is what separates artists who just dabble and end up pursuing something else, and those who continue on to be at the top of the game.
   

10. Stay true to your voice. I’ve given a lot of advice about developing relationships and putting yourself out there. All of which actually sounds a lot like having to kiss up to people and do work that you might possibly not really enjoy doing. But that is also the road of a working artist. Sometimes you will be commissioned to do work you don’t want to do. But these are decisions you have to make. If it will truly make you miserable to take on that job, then don’t do it. The are tips I'm offering are things I feel could've been helpful to my younger self, but at the end of the day, it’s about staying true to who you are. And nobody can do that better than you. Often times, maybe having less money in the bank and a smaller following is worth it.

by Jason Lam