Most creative individuals working today are both the talent and the agent.

Previously, this hasn't been the case. These two roles were once entirely separate; and for good reason. It's very difficult to be both a creative person and a business person at the same time. They call upon separate parts of the brain. I'm not a neuroscientist. But, to make my point, attempt to read and answer email at the same time. It's impossible. While reading isn't necessarily an act of creation, it demands the same level of attention.

David Bowie was notorious for negotiating his own deals. After buying back the rights to his music in 1997 in a clever maneuver that involved issuing "Bowie Bonds", he became increasingly more involved in the business side of his art.

Writers, artists and creatives look down upon agents, entrepreneurs and salesmen, seeing it as a lowly profession. However, if they hope to make a living––and perhaps even a killing––in their vocation, they really should be studying these money-minded individuals. If they can become their own agent, they will earn an additional 20% - 50% on everything they do because they won't be paying out a commission.