Stewart CohenDirector/DP/Photographer, Stewart Cohen Pictures · Director/DP/Photographer @ Stewart Cohen Pictures | Film Production

How Independent Artists Build Strong Client Relationships

21 Sept 2026 · 1 min

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In this interview excerpt, Speaker A asks for techniques to improve client relationships for independent artists. Speaker B emphasizes authenticity, humility, and compassion over ego. He shares personal experience, noting that early in his career he believed a big ego was necessary, but later realized that being approachable, kind, and caring for others leads to stronger, longer-lasting client relationships. The core advice is to be real, avoid a giant ego, and prioritize compassionate, human interaction to advance in the business.

Chapters

I'm curious, as a follow-up on the relationship side, do you have any like kind of techniques or recommendations on that side of things?
Of course, it's just be real, be yourself. But it goes a long way. I say that, you know, and there's some people that like, look, you do a great job for them. And for whatever reason, that's the end of your relationship. The fact that you don't need a giant ego, because there are a lot of egos in our business. You could be nice, you could be approachable. And you don't know that as a 23-year-old. The first guys I worked for, I thought I needed to have a big-ass ego and walk around like I'm the greatest, stuff like that. And it wasn't until later that you realize, no, to be more of a compassionate human being that cares about other people as well, that actually gets you further.