Beware the backlash
It’s an ironic and saddening human characteristic that many creatives face - Backlash.
You receive a lot of support and encouragement to develop, achieve, succeed and then face (sometimes) the same people and their green-eyed monster.
To put this into further context, while the backlash can come from anywhere it’s unlikely to come from anyone who truly cares about you. That being stated, you also must realize how very special you and your abilities are (while staying humble, of course!)
It’s truly rare, given the grand scheme of things, to find someone who a) Knows what they want to do with their life; b) Actually sets out to achieve it and; c) Achieves it! To meet someone who’s “living the dream” can sit uneasy with many who haven’t discerned the above.
The backlashers probably won’t actively undermine your career like some arch-enemy in a comic book, but they won’t necessarily sing your praises either. If they were once your biggest fan, they may start to realize that they’ve been living vicariously through you and that they haven’t amounted to a hill of beans. Such an epiphany is shocking.
The backlash could come from your competition as well - this speaks to business ethics which, sadly, not enough people or corporations follow.
So how to deal?
1) Stay the course: Obviously your clients like you and what you represent. Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.
2) Educate your clients on your abilities, any new developments or products. They may be looking for “something different” and just not know you do that too.
3) Treat every good client like you would your own family. Develop loyalty and compassion. When you’re able to forge even a quasi-personal relationship, clients will be less likely to want to change.
4) Be sensitive to budgets when necessary. Sometimes the decision is out of the hands of your relationship - even long-standing. Sometimes contacts change. Turnover is inevitable. If they’re all about “who can do it the cheapest” though, they’ll always look for a way to low-ball you - you don’t need clients like that. Some day they’ll learn you always get what you pay for.
5) Keep walking the high path: Always say the nicest (honest) thing you can about anyone you may be associated with. You never know who-knows-who and how they may be judging your character. If your reputation is strong, anyone who tries to tarnish you will only do themselves the dirt.
I like to be ideal and dismiss the notion that anyone would fail to see the big picture - there’s plenty for everyone (especially in our society) and there’s room for all sorts of styles, talents, abilities, and skills. However this is sadly not the case. Lean on your support network, keep your focus strong and your conscience clear.
Against backlashers, success is the best revenge anyway.
Tags: advice, Art, business, Life