This week has been one of those weeks. Before I knew it, Wednesday was upon me. When we last left our hero: Modern was getting shaken & stirred, Standard was getting thrown on the barbie, and that new card smell was finally hitting our nostrils. The thing about crazy weeks like this is, what information can I pass onto you that’s going to benefit you for the next 168 hours?
In this column, I want to consistently bring the subject matter that you need to know each and every week. This week, we’re going to take a step back. Making sure your head is in the right place is the key to success. The most important space, is that space between your ears.
So, what do you need?
The number one issue I talk about constantly with other “Financiers” is: _____________________?
If you had to answer that question, what would you fill the blank in with? It took me a long time to really come around to how “head & shoulders” above everything else, one thing is:
Having A Plan
I’ve talked more on this subject than I care to admit, and this last week is no exception. Tapped Out Magic officially has it’s business plan down. It’s no longer thoughts floating in my head on what I think I should do if a scenario arises. This is generally just a good practice because the hardest thing to come by is remembering to treat this like a business.
It’s true. This is a hobby you enjoy. You probably started off as a player and the slow dawning of what this business could offer came to life across your face. That dawn of recognition. That “My mind just got blown” look of satisfaction. I’ve been there. It’s okay. You’re not alone.
Best practices though? No matter the level you are on - you need to have a plan of action. Let’s open the floor, in the comments discuss what your game is. Why are you a part of the finance market and what is your corner of the market?
It’s easy to understand the ebbs & flows of formats. The cyclical deck narrative is a relatively simple progression of acting when markets are cool and benefiting when hot. Still, it’s a pretty simple concept. Hell, even making sure you have the correct positioning on singles is not hard. What IS hard, is having that master plan.
In conjunction with this, this is one of the few industries where the tide raises all ships. The more players that play, the better everyone does. For 20 years, this game has primarily spread through word of mouth. This lesson is hard for a lot of learn, least of all to remember. Too many times have I seen that cagey look of fear in someone’s eyes.
“What does he know that I don’t” Have you ever just tried to stop and ask? “Hey, what DO you know that I don’t?”
What’s one thing that you would share with any other person involved with MTG: Finance?
If they had to know ONE thing. Only one thing. What would it be?
So this week, I’m going to open this column up to discussion. Why are you involved in MTG Finance? What is ONE thing someone either involved or getting into MTG: Finance - what ONE THING should they know, above all else?
My answers:
1) I want to build. Build the community, build the support structure, and give the tools to people who want to live their dream so they too can build.
2) One COMMON misconception about vending, and the reason it’s so rare to see outside vendor’s at closed events: It’s not about selling. That’s nice but it’s all just a bonus. Vendor’s care more about BUYING your cards than selling you theirs.
- Till Next Week