Why do football coaches get paid as well as they do? It is the athletes who are on the field, running, throwing and catching the ball, getting sacked, tackled and physically challenged and attacked on a regular basis.
The coach is safely on the sidelines, yelling into a headset and ordering everyone around.
(I am, of course, being a bit extreme in my analysis and mean no disrespect to any football or other sports coaches!) Why don't the athletes just manage themselves? From what I understand, each position has a certain role to play and job to do so why not self-direct? Groups of children to groups of grown men do it in backyards and fields across the country every day.
What's the difference? One big difference is that professional football teams are businesses and not just a fun way to pass an afternoon.
A business needs direction.
It needs to make money.
It needs to meet the needs of the market.
The coach is the person looking at the big picture - the person with the experience to know how the individuals can best work together to beat the opponent.
Hiring a coach for your art licensing business is a bit like bringing in head coach.
While the artist focuses on the individual "plays" (create art, increase your computer skills, update the website) the coach will have an idea of how those actions should help you move down the field toward the end zone, or, your goals.
An art licensing coach should understand how the industry works and help direct you in ways to build your art and business to get the attention of manufacturers who license art.
Of course, like football, no two artists will get the same results from the same actions.
There is constant motion and changes in the marketplace that will affect the final outcome.
But one thing is for sure, choosing the right coach for you should get you focused, help you determine specific actions to advance your business and build your knowledge and confidence within the industry.