I’ve been collaborating with a couple of recording studios for a while now, and as of a couple days ago, I will (hopefully) be adding a third to the roster.
These collaborations aren’t earning me anything financially – COVID is too much of a bastard, and I’m too new at this – but it’s gaining me something that I believe will be even more valuable in the long run.
Check the title if you haven’t figured it out yet.
These days and especially in the arts, degrees aren’t worth nearly as much as experience – because as most of us discovered after graduating, there’s a world of difference between learning how to do something, and actually DOING it.
But there’s a Catch-22 here, because to get experience, you need to work, which means you need experience, etc.
Fortunately, the biggest reservation most people have at taking on someone is the necessity of paying them. Well, and the risk that they will bungle up something important. Which brings me to my current strategy: Exchanging services.
For example, I know very little about running a recording studio. But I DO know a decent amount about blog writing, social media, SEO, online marketing, and so on.
So when I call people, I don’t say ‘hey, I’m a dude who doesn’t know anything about studio production in the middle of a pandemic, hire me!’ Instead, I ask them what they need and, if what they’re looking for matches something I can give, I offer to help them in return for some free training.
The big upside of this is you’re offering something, rather than taking away. In the first scenario, the manager is likely going to see helping me as a big waste of time and money, while the second one sees an opportunity to have someone handle parts of the job they don’t like – for free.
Obviously we want to earn mo’ money ASAP. Exchanging services can get us there more quickly, through the following ways:
- If a position opens up in future, they already know you and are much more likely to pick you for the job.
- You can get connected to others in the business who may be looking to hire.
- You’re building your skillset, which you can then brag about it to potential employers.
- By demonstrating that you are prepared to earn trust before you earn money, you are demonstrating patience; a rare gift from our (easily distractible) generation.
And by the way, everyone has something they can offer – or if they don’t, it’s easy enough to learn some basics online. Most of the marketing and social media stuff I picked up was through Lynda, (now LinkedIn Learning). Even Uncle YouTube can help out if you’re willing to wade through the crap.
If you really have your heart set on a particular industry, call up a few HR managers and ask them about the skills they’re looking for – or just check the job boards for related work and see if some of the requested skills can be picked up for cheap or free.
Finally, try to connect with smaller businesses, at least to start. The newer entrepreneurs get much fewer resumes, and have to wear a lot more hats. Maybe a few of them will fit better on your head than theirs.
Credits:
‘Cheerful expressive woman dancing in beige studio’ by Alex Green from Pexels
‘Group of Persons Wearing Yellow Safety Helmet during Daytime’ by Pixabay from Pexels
‘Man Holding a Stick with Perched Bird’ by julie aagaard from Pexels
‘Man in Blue and White Stripe Dress Shirt Holding Black Smartphone’ by Mister Mister from Pexels
‘Money Profit Finance’ by nattanan23 on Pixabay