Hunting Down the Elusive Dollar

There's always someone between you and what you want. (Quote from me)

It's simple and it's basic. If you want a new car, you need a salesman, you want a job, you need an employer, you want a house, you need a real estate agent, you want a baby...well, I think you know.

So, when I attract people to me that say they want money for their project...I say, "who is between you and the money you want," because what you really want is to get to the right person with the money.

Funny...people tend to be very clear when they are focusing on the money. "I need $1.5 million, $250,000 up front, the rest can come in installments over the course of a year..." When the goal is a need, we can crystallize our thoughts faster than the darting tongue of a viper.

We need to remember that everything we want to accomplish takes another human...or 2...or 3.

So, instead of needing x dollars, what we really need is an investor or organization with a proven interest in our subject. If we focus on that, then we can begin to get clear on what type of person or organization could help us, and where we might find them.

The trick is to keep from "selling" the project, and bring to the surface what is going to interest the right party to provide what is desired. It all comes down to relationship-building. And, we don't build relationships with things or projects...we build them with people.

Recently, I've been in the position to help someone find an investor for a creative project. I don't usually engage in such tasks, but this opportunity attracted my interest. A huge plus was that the project already had solid legs, but, I felt there was opportunity for me to strengthen some relationships and, perhaps, in the end, create something bigger than the project. First step was to review my contacts in all the places that I keep them.

What I like about having such a diverse network is that I have resource-relationships in many areas and at all levels. One of those relationships is a huge supporter of entrepreneurs with well-organized projects (focus on IT). With a giving-back spirit, this young man (who has done well with his own businesses) personally selects entrepreneurs to introduce to investors in an annual conference he coordinates each year. What a guy!

I've shared with you before that I like hearing people's stories, because you can often find in a person's story reasons to develop a relationship more compelling than just their occupation. Had I glanced past this guy's occupation on Twitter and ignored a gut feeling about connecting with him, I would have missed what a wonderful resource and human being he is...for me...and for my clients.

The point is that people will always exist between us and that which we want. It's important that we get away from centering our thoughts too much on ourselves and what we want/need...and more on our network of resources.

For us creative sorts, our projects are clearly our babies. We devote every waking hour getting things just right. We're so invested that we are often over-invested. If we could take some of that energy and put it into developing people resources, imagine how much easier our lives would become.

There are so many outlets out there for your use in relationship-building, that it's crazy not to be using them. On Linkedin, people will actually identify themselves as investors. There are investor, angel investor, venture cap, grant writer and entrepreneur resource groups. On Twitter, there are almost 12,000 people in the "investor" category. Find them on http://www.twellow.com. Once you find them, engage, and develop relationships that will serve you now and in the future. And, of course, always ask for their story.