When you need help, it’s only a matter of asking for it 😉.

It's okay to admit that you don't always have the solutions to your problems.

Reaching out to others who do will almost always work in your favour.

Rely on those around you more – outputs of creativity tend to be at their best when extra hands have chipped in where extra hands are needed 🫴🏽🫴🏾🫴🏿.

Remember, before there was a Beyoncé there was first a Destiny’s Child. That should tell you that greatness is, more often than not, cultivated amongst great peers 💫.

With there being no time like the present, here are a few of our favourite ways to efficiently ask for help and get it over at New Comma…

1. Let Them Know You’ve Already Made an Effort to Help Yourself 🫠

Understandably, no one likes to feel like they’re being taken for granted.

Let the person you’re reaching out to know your process, how you got to this point, where exactly you’re having difficulty, and what more you anticipate you have left ✖️➗➕➖

By explaining what you’ve already attempted and detailing your approach, you make it easier for them to figure out how to go about creating a solution to your problem.

Also, by demonstrating the method behind your approach, you let those supporting you know that they are not simply being taken advantage of.

This shows how your process either did not work or did not take you as far as you would have wanted, allowing them to see where they can fit in and what is needed of them, rather than feeling like you are taking advantage and relying on them completely🫤.

1. Consider The Timing Of Your Request ⏳

In approaching a person for help, make it your number one priority to ask if it’s even a good time for them and to also decipher how much time of theirs it would require to resolve.

That way:

1. You are sincerely considering another creative’s capacity before you dump on them,

b. They can communicate when they can realistically get it done,

c. You are more likely to receive the help that you need when those you reach out to see how transparent and reliable you are🫡.

1. Don’t Over Compliment The Person You Need Help From 🫣🫣🫣

Yes, flattery helps… but in moderation.

Don’t become manipulative in an attempt to cover your own back 😶.

Be genuine and transparent about what you need, without adding the extra embellishments in an attempt to guilt-trip people into helping you.

You're more likely to get them to help if they believe they can trust you and your words hold weight ✅.

Being genuine never left a person feeling regretful.

Be honest and sincere in everything you do as a creative, even in asking for help…

1. Be Clear on What You Need Help With 🫵🏿

Don’t make it harder any harder than it has to be.

Time is money and money is time⏱.

All that extra time they’ll spend trying to get to grips with what exactly the issue is and where they fit in won’t be good for any future relations between you.

When asking for help, make sure the person knows exactly what you want.

It’s not up to them to make sense of your process, they’re simply here to nudge your project forwards with their expertise, so make it easy for them to do just that.

Keep it plain and simple, so you don’t leave them guessing.

1. Be Willing to Accept the Help You’re About To Receive 🤲🏽🤲🏾🤲🏿

Yes, your creative endeavours feel so personal that it’s as if it’s your baby 👶🏽👶🏾👶🏿.

All creatives know that feeling.

But don’t let that charming bond you have with your project get in the way of the BIGGER PICTURE just for the sake of having it uniquely touched and influenced by you.

The key is to remain open-minded 😀. Don't ask for help only to immediately reject the solutions you receive from others.

It just might be that outside influence that gives your project that perfect finishing touch.

P. S This project is still very much your baby but as the African proverb goes ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ ;)

1. Show That You Have Previously Used Their Advice 🦻🏽👂🏾👂🏿

No one likes to feel like their efforts have gone to waste ❌❌❌.

If you’ve formerly worked together or collaborated with the person you are turning to, even if their solution didn't work the last time, it always helps to hint at the fact that you at least tried it.

This translates to “I respect your artistic choices and processes and have found them useful in guiding my own.”

Tell us, who wouldn’t respond well to that?

1. Extend A Helping Hand 🥹🥹🥹

Don’t expect to come into the creative industry and solely line your pockets with the advice, guidance, and tips of others without considering how you may also return the favour and be a revered figure within your networks🎖.

Sometimes it is the element of reciprocity which makes it easier to ask for help as there is a shared understanding that both parties benefit from it.

Others are more inclined to help you when they know that doing so will prove mutually beneficial, even if it is some time down the line.

As a ✨Creative Genius✨, pride yourself on being an asset to your creative community, largely just for the sake of it.

1. You Have To Actually Ask… 😅

No twiddling your fingers or wallowing in your despair when there is the option to ask for help😳.

Asking for help is not the end of the world, arguably it’s the beginning of a communal one where you cement real relations with your community.

Consider this a gentle reminder that closed mouths don’t get fed 🍽.

Part of learning to be a greater creative is remembering to not get in your own way 🫵🏾🫵🏿.

Fears and woes of reaching beyond yourself to your network, to a mentor, to a friend, or even a budding creative relationship can cloud your better judgement.

More often than not, it’s those external forces which will nudge your work that little bit closer to your vision ☄️.

It’s up to you to decipher when you need help and how to actually get it.

These tips should get you started. Now go be great with your lavender… 💐

For more hard-hitting tips and posts tailored specifically for our Creative Geniuses be sure to head over to the New Comma page on Instagram @new.comma 🫶🏿🫶🏾🫶🏽

If you’ve come this far but have yet to sign up to New Comma what are you doing?🤯

Get into it and sign up over on the New Comma site to become the latest newcomer at New Comma

(See what we did there!😉😉😉)