Writing causes you to pay more attention to life than the average person does; you never know where inspiration will strike.
What this means in everyday interaction is that you identify how nuanced situations are, you see and hear stories from different points of view, and you are constantly spinning narratives and giving the wittiest responses (this is assuming you share your powerful opinions).
The downside of living like this is that you assume you always know what to say, but you do not! Just because you are a fantastic writer and have gone on to publish a book does not mean you know the first thing about business. Just because you read well does not mean you understand every legal contract you are presented with and its legal implications.
However, you will not ask for help because you are a writer and expect yourself to have a mastery of how society works. Actually, I was first a writer before I became a therapist or even dreamt of doing business. Here’s what I have found out: ignorance is a strong indicator of the areas where I have mastery.
When I walk into a room to negotiate and contracts come up, I don’t know a thing about the fine print yet, but the therapist in me starts to notice if someone is blackmailing, gaslighting, rushing or even belittling me. As my perceived legal ignorance comes to the surface, so does the area of my expertise.
Ignorance is not to be feared but to be listened to. It doesn’t matter how sensitive I am to the power play in the room, at some point, I need to sign those contracts, which means that I get three options:
- Quit
- Get a lawyer (and pay the price)
- Go in blindly and figure out what I am losing in hindsight.
It is not uncommon to find writers who unknowingly signed off the largest part of their royalty to the publishing company. Yes, the publishers were greedy, and yes, the writer was ignorant, but you guessed right; the writer did not listen to their ignorance.
The fear you have when it comes to publishing your work, distributing it globally, repurposing your work, and building a brand out of it has less to do with your incompetence and more to do with your unwillingness to partner with someone whose expertise fills the gap of your ignorance.
In 2016, I was going to launch a podcast, and I didn’t know the first thing about editing, publishing, or distribution. I had met a new friend that day and considered the shame of looking like a fool versus the awareness that I could waste that day going home the same. So, I chose power over ego and told them my problem. This person taught me how to minimise disturbances while recording without a microphone, put my podcast on YouTube, and helped me distribute through Vocaroo.
I could have retained my pride, gone home feeling defeated and powerless about the things I could not control, or I could have simply asked for help and gotten things moving, like I did. When I registered my first business, I had just made my first 100,000 Naira. I remember calling my lawyer immediately after I got the money because when I was cashless, I had met every requirement and knew exactly who to call, having scrutinised my options.
The second thing to confront is time. It is great to admit your ignorance and ask for help, but you must do that on time (ahead of time). Asking for professional help on the spot puts you in a desperate position. Imagine if I had started searching for a lawyer only after I got the money? Imagine how I would likely have paid off the first person to approach me or sound nice?
As a therapist, one of my preferred techniques to help my clients avoid abuse is to help them create their value system and define their boundaries. So, when people begin to access them, they have a solid measuring line and are not driven by the initial excitement.
How many publishing companies have you read about? What scandals have they been involved in? How many of their writers are successful? Do they pay on time according to the contract? Do they randomly truncate contracts? What kind of brand do you need to build to work with Company A or B? What kind of brand do you need to build as an indie author? If you do not have time for this research, have you deliberately found someone to help you out?
Again, you are finally doing the right thing with your ignorance, but you’re doing it at the wrong time (the spot where you need it and are desperate).
Finally, you work your ignorance by being willing to lose. You make a decision to learn on the job, regardless of how much it costs. I really want your first article to blow up the internet and put your name on every magazine in your continent, yet I know that doesn’t happen often.
Create frequently and make a decision to lose some. When working with wellness businesses, I make my clients create different categories of content:
Authoritative content: This type of content showcases what they have mastery of and invites people to see their professional journey. You can do this with your LinkedIn/Medium as a writer. Authoritative content is best shared on public platforms. It is very easy to redistribute and is used to get you collaborative opportunities.
Community content: This type of content is very conversational. This is the one you create and curate for those who are invested in you. This is home, so you are most authentic and adventurous here. Think newsletters, private groups, private social media (even public).
Collaborative content: These are content types and styles you reserve for collaborations. Think live events, projects, etc. These are focused on creating the shock effect around your work and personality. It leaves people wanting more of you and searching for you online.
You are not broke because you are ignorant. You are likely broke because you think every project ought to make you rich. So, you are missing out on opportunities to collaborate, be known, and then get paid.
I hope these tips help you as they have helped me.
Cheers!!! I cannot wait to get your feedback at authors@lizachuma.com
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Read – Saved by Relationships – Affluent Authors Column – Liza Chuma Akunyili
