Do not trust people just because they talk big. Ask to see their portfolio, their resume, their track record. Anyone who is inherently trustworthy will do what they can to ensure that you have the proof to trust them.
Your time is precious, so don't trust people who want to fuck with it. People who want to "talk about the project" over beer for weeks on end without any plan to move forward. People who are cavalier with your resources and don't think a second to waste it by having you do silly things like meet up halfway across downtown for twenty minutes when a quick Skype call would do. If they don't respect your time, they don't respect you.
Do not trust people who call you drunk at 3 in the morning to talk about the project. This goes back to the point about respecting your time, but also that they probably don't take the project seriously.
If you're a woman, do not trust those people who use the promise of making you great intertwined with flirtatiousness and flattery. They are thinking with their cock and cocks are usually capricious. It's amazing how when their cock no longer wants you, they think you are dried up, untalented, a hack.
Do not trust people who abhor numbers, estimations, deadlines, and accountability. These are the things that will push your project forward, not big dreams and ambitions.
Do not trust people who are ostentatious about their wealth, because they are trying to sell you on something. That something is their success, trustworthiness, and lifestyle. They are trying to woo and dazzle you so that you aren't thinking clearly. People who are inherently trustworthy do not need to dazzle.
Do not trust people who make promises without contracts.
Do not trust people who throw around lots of big names, or make a big deal out of their "contacts." Yes, contacts are valuable but you make contacts by being good at your job. If they are focused on 'contacts' they don't understand how these things work, and their talent or skill is usually mediocre at best.
Trust your instinct if something feels off.
I'll see it when I believe it is a perfectly valid way to deal with people in the business/art world.
Do not fall victim to the "sunk cost fallacy" and throw resources into a sinking ship.
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The bigger the talk, the more I balk.
This is utterly, totally true and chock full of wisdom. My exact experience; luckily, I dodged a couple of bullets, even though I initially fell for the trap--easy to do when you're young and desperate and feel out of your depths in your industry, as most artists often are at some point!
It's definitely easy to fall for untrustworthy people - especially when you are young and/or inexperienced. They can sometimes overwhelm you with their seniority and "experience." I'm glad you enjoyed the post.
Exaaaaactly!
The difference between authentic and appropriated is a big part of the whole name-dropping and ostentation game. I suppose that appearances are also contrived to a sickening degree on Facebook, etc.
Scammers prey on the gullible. You want to believe in them. They play to your own desires.
You are one sharp as shit chick. I have to say that. Probably was a warrior or a ruler of some sort in another lifetime.
Power on up, Ms. Christian, it's the era of the female starting now!
Thank you @yombo! And I definitely agree, someone who contrives their connections is probably going to be more ostentatious about it in general - because it's the slick appearance that ultimately matters. Authentic connections don't have to survive on mere surface.
i liked in your post dear
may be i reasteam your post