Embrace Selling Out

The term "sellout" is often used negatively, but making money from your work is necessary and not shameful.

Many great works of art were created for money, and there's no reason to romanticize the "starving artist" stereotype.

Everyone needs to earn a living.

Turn Fans into Patrons

When you have an audience for your work, consider turning them into patrons.

Ask for donations, use crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, or sell your products and services directly.

People who enjoy your work are often willing to support you financially.

Don’t be afraid to charge for your work.

Your time and effort are valuable, and it's okay to expect compensation.

Set fair prices and be confident in the value of what you offer.

Collect email addresses from people interested in your work.

Email is a reliable way to reach your audience directly, unlike social media where posts can be missed.

Use an email newsletter to keep your audience updated and engaged.

Criticism is inevitable when you put your work out there. Learn to take it in stride and use it to improve.

Not all feedback is useful, so focus on the constructive criticism from people who genuinely care about your work.

Say yes to opportunities that align with your goals and help you grow.

It's okay to say no to offers that don’t fit your vision or take you away from the work you love.

Balance being generous with your time and protecting it to get your work done.

When you achieve success, use your platform to support and promote others who have helped you along the way.

This creates a supportive community and helps everyone grow together.

As you become more successful, you'll need to manage your time carefully.

Say no to unnecessary tasks and focus on what’s important.

Consider setting specific times for answering emails or interacting with fans to avoid being overwhelmed.

Ask for Support: Don't be shy about asking your audience for financial support. Add a donation button to your website, run a crowdfunding campaign, or sell your products and services directly.
Charge Fairly for Your Work: Determine a fair price for your work and stick to it. Believe in the value of what you offer and don’t underprice yourself.
Build and Use an Email List: Start collecting email addresses from your audience. Use services like MailChimp to send regular updates and keep your followers engaged with your latest work.
Evaluate and Use Feedback: Learn to distinguish between constructive criticism and unhelpful comments. Use valuable feedback to improve your work, and ignore trolls or negative comments that don’t help you grow.
Say Yes and No Wisely: Be selective with the opportunities you accept. Focus on those that align with your goals and help you do more of the work you love. Learn to say no to tasks that don’t fit your vision.

By following these insights, you can successfully monetize your work, build a supportive audience, and manage your career effectively.

Summary from Book: Show Your Work! 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered