Comments on: Has Social Media Cheapened Creative Talent? http://momblebee.com/blog/2009/11/19/has-social-media-cheapened-creative-talent/ Just another WordPress weblog Sun, 05 Sep 2010 22:56:35 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Cheryl Andonian aka Momblebee http://momblebee.com/blog/2009/11/19/has-social-media-cheapened-creative-talent/comment-page-1/#comment-382 Cheryl Andonian aka Momblebee Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:13:28 +0000 http://momblebee.com/blog/?p=441#comment-382 Jim, Thanks for adding your thoughts on the subject. I agree with you...I guess one thing I do fear is that these sites like elance and guru.com are beginning to set a new standard based on price. They reach the global market and I have concern that creative providers in developing countries (ones that actually do have skills and talent), can work for much less than those of us who live and work in industrialized countries. So it may not be just about low end talent at all, it might be that a very talented writer in India can afford to write for a significantly lower fee than I can. Is creative talent going the way of manufacturing? Jim,
Thanks for adding your thoughts on the subject. I agree with you…I guess one thing I do fear is that these sites like elance and guru.com are beginning to set a new standard based on price. They reach the global market and I have concern that creative providers in developing countries (ones that actually do have skills and talent), can work for much less than those of us who live and work in industrialized countries. So it may not be just about low end talent at all, it might be that a very talented writer in India can afford to write for a significantly lower fee than I can. Is creative talent going the way of manufacturing?

]]> By: Jim O'Connor http://momblebee.com/blog/2009/11/19/has-social-media-cheapened-creative-talent/comment-page-1/#comment-381 Jim O'Connor Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:12:44 +0000 http://momblebee.com/blog/?p=441#comment-381 You've identified a real problem and I agree with all that's been said by you and other contributors. I've been encouraged to bid for work on sites like elance and peoplebythehour. Never got one project. As you say, people want to pay peanuts - but they get monkeys! Actually, I don't think it's a problem (it's only a problem if you chase this kind of work, then agree to do it). The best strategy is to concentrate on producing quality work, but for people who appreciate the value of it. Finding those people is not always easy, but you need to have the self belief and discipline to politely pass up "offers" from people who will suck your brains out for nothing! It's not always easy to spot these mental vampires - around my way (south west England)there are some quite well respected design agencies who are good at asking "favours" that are never repaid. Also, I guess social media make it easier for these guys to land on the unsuspecting. As I said on your amazing linked in discussion (does an idea have value?) there are those who have ideas (and value them) and those who don't have ideas (and don't value them). I think that is just a fact of life, and it isn't going to change. The only thing we have control over is ourselves! You’ve identified a real problem and I agree with all that’s been said by you and other contributors.
I’ve been encouraged to bid for work on sites like elance and peoplebythehour. Never got one project. As you say, people want to pay peanuts – but they get monkeys!
Actually, I don’t think it’s a problem (it’s only a problem if you chase this kind of work, then agree to do it).
The best strategy is to concentrate on producing quality work, but for people who appreciate the value of it. Finding those people is not always easy, but you need to have the self belief and discipline to politely pass up “offers” from people who will suck your brains out for nothing!
It’s not always easy to spot these mental vampires – around my way (south west England)there are some quite well respected design agencies who are good at asking “favours” that are never repaid.
Also, I guess social media make it easier for these guys to land on the unsuspecting.
As I said on your amazing linked in discussion (does an idea have value?) there are those who have ideas (and value them) and those who don’t have ideas (and don’t value them). I think that is just a fact of life, and it isn’t going to change. The only thing we have control over is ourselves!

]]> By: Cheryl Andonian aka Momblebee http://momblebee.com/blog/2009/11/19/has-social-media-cheapened-creative-talent/comment-page-1/#comment-311 Cheryl Andonian aka Momblebee Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:15:19 +0000 http://momblebee.com/blog/?p=441#comment-311 Terry- I know exactly how you feel. It is a right brain, left brain thing. You see or you don't, simple as that. I've used this analogy before, but it's like one of those tone deaf people auditioning for American Idol really thinking and believing that they sound just like Whitney Houston. They just can't HEAR the difference. But don't go ordering your glue gun bag of popsicle sticks just yet. There is a market for quality creative work, it just takes more work to find it. You may not be able to convert the ones who cannot see, but if the talent is there, it won't take much to convince those that can see...just gotta find them. Terry-
I know exactly how you feel. It is a right brain, left brain thing. You see or you don’t, simple as that. I’ve used this analogy before, but it’s like one of those tone deaf people auditioning for American Idol really thinking and believing that they sound just like Whitney Houston. They just can’t HEAR the difference. But don’t go ordering your glue gun bag of popsicle sticks just yet. There is a market for quality creative work, it just takes more work to find it. You may not be able to convert the ones who cannot see, but if the talent is there, it won’t take much to convince those that can see…just gotta find them.

]]> By: TerryR http://momblebee.com/blog/2009/11/19/has-social-media-cheapened-creative-talent/comment-page-1/#comment-310 TerryR Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:47:42 +0000 http://momblebee.com/blog/?p=441#comment-310 "...The problem here lies in when businesses don’t see or know the difference between professional quality work and low level work..." Cheryl,this one statement is the crux and cornerstone of the problem. It is not new, and has been a continuing struggle in not only my own career, but pops up in discussions with copywriters, marketers, photographers, designers, illustrators and all the "content providers" I've known, (there's a nice devaluing phrase!) And the problem always seems to be exacerbated during rough economic downturns. There are those who "see" the value of well thought out creative, and those who don't >> right brain vs. left brain--it will never go away. After all this time, I really don't know how to combat it but to give up and go do crafts in my garage!! “…The problem here lies in when businesses don’t see or know the difference between professional quality work and low level work…”

Cheryl,this one statement is the crux and cornerstone of the problem. It is not new, and has been a continuing struggle in not only my own career, but pops up in discussions with copywriters, marketers, photographers, designers, illustrators and all the “content providers” I’ve known, (there’s a nice devaluing phrase!) And the problem always seems to be exacerbated during rough economic downturns.

There are those who “see” the value of well thought out creative, and those who don’t >> right brain vs. left brain–it will never go away. After all this time, I really don’t know how to combat it but to give up and go do crafts in my garage!!

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