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Another way for you to connect is to contact artists and creative entrepreneurs to find out how they began. Research the backgrounds of artists and creative entrepreneurs that you respect most. Find out how they went about making and shaping their careers. If possible, contact some of these artists or entrepreneurs directly and ask them for advice. Create a list of questions to ask these people before you talk to them.

The best way to initiate contact is to email them your questions. Email eliminates geographical distance and time differences and gives people time to consider your questions, which means that they may answer the questions more thoroughly when you finally talk to them on the telephone.

Ask open-ended questions that will encourage your interviewees to trust you. If they are in a different state, province, or country, they probably won’t see you as competition and you may be able to ask specific questions about their pricing and business strategies. Gauge their comfort level from the length and content of their replies.

Remember to always be professional. For example, if you ask for a certain amount of their time, keep your promise, and arrange another meeting or phone conversation if you need more time. After your interview is completed, thank them for their time with a personal note or by email. Keep the channels open and friendly. By the same token, remember to be there for other people who may approach you for your expertise later in your career.