What Does The Coronavirus Mean For Creatives?
Creatives are used to adapting to change. Heck, we’re one of the main driving forces behind the change. But for many creatives, and many sane people too, the recent promotion of self-isolation and the potential enforced lockdown is presenting massive challenges. And that’s not just the challenge to get toilet paper.
Who’s got it best?
Not all creatives are affected equally. Bloggers can’t go to their favourite hip coffee shop anymore, but they can still write from the comfort of their bed, and wildlife photographers are going to have just as many birds to take photos of as before (with fewer people around to scare them off). Many other kinds of content can, of course, be made at home: from podcasts held over skype or recorded with anybody else you’re isolating with, to vlogs about your isolation experience and surviving without toilet paper.
For hobbyist photographers, there are plenty of tutorial videos about creating mini home studios for product or macro photography. Challenge your creativity by seeing how interesting you can make household items (this is a lot easier if you have some Lego laying around) and using this time to learn the settings of your camera better, ready for when you’re allowed back into the outside world.
It’s a bad time to be a people person
Anyone who works with other people will be hit worst in this lockdown, as the government instructs us to practice social distancing. For example, videographers creating things like music videos, and their entourage of actors, sound crew, and hair and makeup artists, will be missing out on major revenue as group settings have become a big no-no.
However, a portrait photographer friend of mine did joke that he’ll keep shooting, as his 85mm lens means that he’s a couple of metres away at all times.
Events? I don’t think so
From major sports events to weddings to birthday parties, events are dropping like flies. This does put a group of creatives in a very difficult position. You sure can’t do much sports photography at home, and best of look practising those beautiful bridal shots without any brides.
But you don’t have to just sit there twiddling your thumbs, you can do some research into what new lens you should buy, or look at content from other creators and draw inspiration to put in your own work.
How can creatives make money during this?
Digital assets - It requires no human contact or leaving the house to sell your photography presets or create an eBook about your genre of content. Perhaps you can even create a complete online course with the knowledge and experience which you’ve collected over the years.
Consulting - perhaps you’re a confident instructor. Host webinars or one-to-one skype calls (eventually with a fee attached) and pass on some of your expertise to the newer wave of creatives coming through. Teaching is also a great way of learning, as your pupils pose questions about your subject which you’ve never noticed before, and it will force you to do more research into these areas and expand your own knowledge base.
Sponsors - Now, this works best if you have a decent following, be that on your social media (like Instagram influencers) or you get a significant amount of readers on your blog. Find brands related to your niche, ask them to directly sponsor your next podcast episode, or for an affiliate link so that when your readers buy their product thanks to your recommendation, you get a cut.
On a finishing note: stay safe.
