Aug 12

Stop Chasing Followers: Why Real Influence Comes from Mastery

A graphic for "The Chase Jarvis LIVE Show." The text is displayed in a bold, modern font with "THE" in a small, yellow box at the top left, followed by "CHASE JARVIS LIVE SHOW" stacked vertically, each word in its own yellow box. To the right, there is a stylized silhouette of a person running while holding a mobile device. The person appears to be disintegrating into small particles as they move forward, suggesting a sense of urgency or a digital transformation theme. The background is a light beige or off-white color.
Let's cut through the noise for a second. The term "influencer" gets tossed around so much these days, you'd think amassing a huge following is the only path to success in creative careers. But is that really what we should be chasing? I've been in this game for a while, and I can tell you with absolute certainty: fixating on influence for its own sake is a dead end. The real goal? Creating meaningful work.... read more ›
121 reads
Nov 27

The Myth of the Lone Genius

Let’s tackle a topic that's been a subject of much debate in creative circles: the myth of the lone genius. You know, that age-old belief that the greatest creative works are the brainchildren of solo, exceptionally talented individuals. It's a romantic notion, but frankly, it's overrated and, more importantly, misleading. Why the Lone Genius Myth Is Overrated 1. The Power of Collaboration The idea of a lone genius completely overlooks the immense value of collaboration.... read more ›
413 reads
Aug 14

How to Build a Community for Your Creative Work

When I think of the power of community, I'm reminded of the electrifying experience of watching a megaband like Metallica perform live. While the spotlight shines on James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo, it's easy to forget the army of skilled individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes. From lighting artists to sound engineers, it's a collective effort that brings the magic to life. Similarly, as creators, we often find ourselves in the... read more ›
660 reads
Apr 17

4 Essential Steps for Finding Collaborators and Building a Winning Team

The idea of a solo creator who goes off to a cabin in the woods for a month and returns with a finished masterpiece? Purely a mirage. We desperately need to connect with others: those with both similar and radically different influences and interests, those who love what we do, those who will give us honest feedback. We become more fully ourselves when we are in a community of other creators. Working alone can be... read more ›
698 reads
Mar 27

A Little Known Secret About Creativity

A little-known secret that shouldn’t be one: collaboration is the secret to creativity. It's not just about working with other people, it's about working with the *right* people. I look for collaborators outside my area of expertise, people who bring new kinds of expertise to the table. A designer, a developer, a retoucher—everyone contributes to the vision in a different way. This is how I stretch myself as an artist. The benefits of collaboration go... read more ›
949 reads
Jan 24

The Secret to Success No One Talks About

You’re stuck. You’ve plateaued. You’re making great work but nobody is seeing it and you’re asking yourself “how do I get noticed?” How did the blowout successes of YouTube and Instagram get to their million+ followers? The answer: they created community. Whether you're an individual, a hustler, an artist, a creator, an entrepreneur, or you represent a company, the fundamental principle is that making something great and promoting it is only 50% of the work,... read more ›
4.7K reads
Oct 12

Levi’s Photo Workshop: A Community Photography Collaboration Venue

Levi's recognizes that photography is absolutely a core component of a new era of creativity. Here's proof: check out their newest project, The Levi's Photo Workshop. It's a community photography collaboration venue located in central Manhattan (18 Wooster St. btwn Canal and Grand). Think free studio space, free camera rentals (even vintage), and a collaborative workspace. Levi's Joshua Katz says this project is... "...a way for Levi’s to offer a unique experience based around creativity... read more ›
2.3K reads