Posts Tagged ‘Indiana Jones’

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In part 1 I gave you the first three tips from Indiana Jones. They went like this:

1. It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you
2. Protect your assets, like a large bobcat protects her cubs
3. Community service as a business asset

Now’s time for the next three!

4. Fight for what you want

This one is similar to #2 (Protect your assets); different in the fact that our goal here is obtaining something we don’t yet have.

It comes into play in a couple of instances:

• The contract/client/project that’s really going to boost your visibility and/or generate leads.
• You need something, anything in order to keep your business afloat

Nothing is ever handed to anyone on a silver platter. That took me a while to find out. I assumed for a while that if I knew my stuff and told some people that I was here (think Horton Hear’s a Who, that’s about how loud I was) then easily without effort I would get some clients that wanted my work.

Boy was I wrong!

If you want something, you have to fight for it. Securing assets you want can be an all-out brawl, Super Smash Brothers style.

5. You can’t do it all alone

And it’d be better if you learned that sooner rather than later!

No one can do everything on their own. If we tried, we’d long ago be extinct (we’re not asexual!) Needing someone else as a part of your enteprise doesn’t mean you’re less capable than someone else.

Behind everyone there are dozens, hundreds, thousands of people supporting the person that you see. Whether that comes in the face of friendships, family, partnerships, or the occasional Indian VA (I want one!)

Often in business it’s much better operating with a partner for a few reasons:

1. If the venture fails, it’s not all on your back. You have someone else to share the good and bad.
2. Secondary perspective. It’s a lot easier to see if the train is going to crash when you’re looking from two different perspectives. Then you also have the aid of the second hand to mend the problem before the trail derails!
3. Two brains are better than one. It’s much easier to work with projects/people when you have the resources of two brilliant minds to utilize.

6. Know what your competition doesn’t

Now this is a general tip, meaning it doesn’t come with any examples. Although I’ve left it as the last tip because Indy most of the time simply knows a lot more than anyone he comes up against.

Whether that be in this case where the Nazi’s staff was too long or when he simply knows more because of experience. He succeeds because of it.

Utilize your knowledge to get an edge up on your competition. We aren’t playing some gentlemanly sport like tennis! Take all the chances you have to get a head up on the competition.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed these useful, maybe entertaining tips. If you have any more that Jones might be able to give post them in the comments below!

Have fun at the movies this weekend!

Disclaimer: The photos are copyright the Indiana Jones people. I’m assuming that specifically means George Lucas himself. So go buy the movies, they’re awesome!

I’m very excited for the new Jones movie, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I’ve re watched the first three, three times over the last week. It might be a little bit of overkill!

As such, I’ve been noticing how much Jones’ work compares to my own as a freelancer. This is part one of the top 6 freelancing tips, courtesy of Indiana Jones.

1. It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you

Jones definitely knows a lot of people, but it’s the people who know him that advance his pursuits. Jones is known for being amazing. He’s a respected archeologist at a North Eastern college and still has time for fun adventures on the side.

How can I be awesome?

It’s called meritocracy. In other words, demonstrated ability. For those wikiphiles:

…responsibilities are given based on demonstrated ability (merit) and talent rather than by wealth family connections…

To get people to know you, you have to make yourself known by what you do. No one’s going to come looking for you so show them yourself!

If you’re a writer, enter a contest and win!

If you’re a designer, land that big project and tell people about it. Or better yet, ask that company to tell about it.

2. Dont screw with the Jones, or protect your assets like a large bobcat protects her cubs

Do you remember the beginning of the Last Crusade? Where “young Jones” finds that golden cross and very soon after has it taken? Damn crooked sheriff!

Then he eventually got it back a couple decades later. Point being, he fought long and hard for that cross. That’s what you as a freelancer have to do with your business.

I’ve learned this principle very well from my dad. He owns a lot of stuff. Although not all of it falls into the business category, he protects all of it like any mother would her cubs.

Why is this important to me?

As a freelancer, we are on our own. Often the goal is to maintain several streams of income but unless those are protected as crucial assets, they can simply walk away.

Take for example the client. Remind them how important you are to them. Send out regular newsletters or simply keep in constant communication with them. Protect them and they’ll keep coming back to you.

3. Community service as a business asset

You’d definitely get noticed as a “do-gooder” if you saved a couple hundred Indian children from slavery. Realistically though, that’s probably not going to happen for most of us.

Community service is integral to building a strong, profitable business. Even if it’s only as a PR measure (would you really not feel better donating some money here or there?) it’s worth it.

And most donations are tax-deductible!

You want to present yourself as good for the client, the industry and the community.

Here’s an idea. Why not start a scholarship for aspiring writers/designers? It could be a yearly $1000, that gets your name out there as a successful professional, widens your audience, and brings you much more than you paid out in new projects/clients.

I’m going to leave you in suspense at this point. Come back on Thursday to read part 2 and get Jones’ next three freelancing tips before you see Kingdom of the Crystal Skull later that night!