This is such a common question I wanted to share it here. Isn’t it cheapening the real process of creating art (music, sculptures, writing, visual art, coaching) if I expect money in return?
Andy asks:
“Dan, I’m an illustrator and my illustration business is doing well, but I’m afraid I’m more passionate about helping other
Can I get paid for my talent – even if I love doing it?
creatives succeed than I am in making art myself!
Here’s my problem: I’m well versed in the strategies used by people like you, Michael Hyatt, and other internet coaches, teachers and speakers on how to monetize this value, BUT I’m afraid that in the commercial art world there may be an aversion to “marketing lingo” aka webinars, masterminds, ebooks, etc.
I am especially afraid of hurting my reputation in the industry where I make my living! Any thoughts?”
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Andy – I don’t think you’ll hurt your reputation by making a living as an artist. I think you’ll explode your credibility and position yourself solidly as an expert and a role model if you are extremely successful financially as an artist. Then you won’t just be one of the masses of starving artists but rather, you’ll be someone ready to lead and inspire others.
I just interviewed Bob Burg who said, “Money is an echo of value.” My good friend Rabbi Daniel Lapin talks about money being the natural exchange of serving people well.
Here are three books I recommend:
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon
Years ago when I changed from just being the nice guy at church who would help you figure out career direction to being a coach, my business exploded. People saw me as a professional and I immediately had a backlog of physicians, dentists, engineers, pastors, etc, who would have never taken me seriously if I were just the free Sunday School teacher. If you believe in your “art” you can thrive in every way, yes while still helping and serving others well.
On May 26-27th we’re bringing back the event we all Innovate. You’ll hear from Joanne and Clara (my wife and granddaughter) as they show the book they wrote together, Deby Dearman as she shares about having to find a new creative voice after losing her singing voice, Ken Davis who took his disruptive gift of humor and turned it into his very successful career, Bob Baker (author of The Empowered Artist), my son Jared Angaza on living the creative life in Nosara, Costa Rica, and me on generating extraordinary income from your creativity.
It’s the lowest priced event we’ve ever done and we’re going to close the event with just 60 participants. If you want to release your “art” on the world and live well while you serve well, reserve your seat now.
Andy, I can certainly relate to your dilemma of balancing the “marketing speak” we hear from various mentors with addressing a creative audience.
I am also an artist who has a passion for helping other artists. Our peeps are certainly more sensitive to money making lingo. I have addressed this issue by reframing it. For example, instead of dollars, I often like to refer to “freedom units”. I also like to tie in to their ultimate goal, which for many creatives isn’t just about money or even fame, it’s about being fulfilled by creating and sharing their art. So then the question to them becomes something like, “How many freedom units does it take to give you the ability to have your creative life on your terms… without having to drive to an unfulfilling job that ‘pays the bills’?”
There are so many ways to use the internet marketing principles we hear about, but reframing them so that the goal is still there, just modified for our audience.
I don’t pull any punches, though, when it comes to weak mindsets that are self-defeating. I address these head-on. For example, the myth that “real art” shouldn’t cost anything and should be given away for free.
Dan’s suggestions are spot-on. Another suggestion for you is Chris Wilson… he’s an illustrator who uses a lot of reframed internet marketing principles in his teaching.
Mike – I love how you’ve reframed the money issue. “Freedom units” makes perfect sense. Thanks for sharing that.