“Who do you think you are to tackle this subject?” “Everyone is going to know that you’re a fraud.” “Who made you the expert?” These are the questions of self-doubt I hear as I prepare to speak to my local arts council on the subject of social media/networking for artists.
As I have been working on my presentation I have found myself questioning my ability to tackle such a subject. What do I have to say that someone can’t find out for themselves through conversation, exploration, time spent on the computer? Wrestling with my level of expertise has opened my eyes to an area of qualification that does not involve knowledge or experience. It is the willingness to share that qualifies me. I’m afraid that all too often we artists become hoarders. We hoard our materials, our sources, our galleries, our techniques, even our successes in fear that any or all might be stolen and another artist could become more successful or popular.
I may not be a social networking guru, but I have gathered a few crumbs and tidbits along the way. A crumb of knowledge. A tidbit of experience. My crumb could be what unlocks a new opportunity for someone. My experience could save another hours of time pursuing something to no avail.
I will gladly share what I’ve learned on my art biz journey. There is, after all, that story where crumbs and tidbits were multiplied to feed thousands. Call it what you will: paying it forward, the law of reaping and sowing, volunteerism, karma, etc.. It’s why you will find me at the county library this Friday morning, sharing what I know and hoping to pick up a few new crumbs and tidbits to add to my basket as the conversation continues beyond my knowledge or experience.