Career Damage Control: Lessons for Writers and Entrepreneurs, Courtesy of Charlie Sheen

Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, you’ve heard of the shenanigans, fights, and “fall from grace” of popular comedian and actor, Charlie Sheen.

From his unconventional lifestyle and fast-lane living, to his unorthodox ways of handling his career and his cuties, it seems that he’s been covered everywhere as of late.

And make no mistake about it: I am a big fan. Like millions of other American viewers, I watched his popular sitcom, “Two and a Half Men” weekly,
religiously--for years, in fact.

But contrary to the saying, “there’s no such thing as bad publicity,” his career is proof positive that too much of a good thing can be bad.

So what does this have to do with writing and making money?

I’ll tell you.

In a very similar sense we are “performers” too. As such, it’s all about career management, being in the “public eye”, and protecting our bottom line.

Here are a few pointers to help put this in proper perspective and help you to earn and maintain a profitable living:

1. Showing your __$$ in public can compromise your assets. Sheen shot himself in the foot via interviews and public statements. Sometimes with writers it comes in the form of belittling editors on a blog. Or engaging in battles with publishers or other creative artists in public social media forums like Twitter or Facebook. Either way it can be career suicide. Sheen went from “black tie affairs” to being black balled. Don’t let it happen to you.

2. Humor isn’t always universal. Use it sparingly and in good taste. For example, noted pastor and best-selling author, Joel Osteen, begins his weekly sermons with a joke. It has become part of his branding and his popularity. It works if you work it right!

3. Never bite the hand that feeds you. For writers this means being professional with publishers and being accountable to our readers and people who purchase our products. Don’t cheat them by giving less than your best.

4. Recognize that even “divas” can be dismissed! Even though Charlie was no doubt a huge money-maker for the network that employed him, he perhaps thought that he was indispensable, as evidenced by his words and actions. Bad move. Be careful not to be more trouble than you’re worth.

5. When you make a mistake, own up to it, ask forgiveness, then move forward. It happens to the best of us. You misspell an editor’s name. Or you get a fact wrong in an interview, or your simultaneous submission gets accepted by two different editors simultaneously. Ouch. Fess up and find a way to prevent your faux pas from happening again.

6. Controversy sells, but balance is crucial. In fact, too much can peg you as a bitter grape, a loose cannon, or a creative who’s out of control. Keep this in mind as you create content and craft your career.

Follow these six sage tips to protect your bottom line and to enjoy encore performances with publishers and fans.