I've learned a couple of things about creative businesses:
1) Never fall too much in love with what you create.
Though your clients may like what you do, they don't see, hear, feel like you.
At the end of the day, if they're paying, they'll want certain things their way.
2) Your work is worth what you think it's worth.
But if potential clients cannot or will not pay that, you have a problem. And you may be tempted to lower your prices.
This depends on you. If you're okay with it, and won't begrudge the lowered amount, then don't let anyone tell you that it's wrong to do so.
3) It will take time for you to be "discovered".
And it will help tremendously if you put yourself out there.
Some creatives may think that they will be sellouts if they go into the "debased" world of marketing, wheeling and dealing instead of coming up with new ideas and art.
But the only person who can truly represent what you do is you. And nobody will know what you're doing, no matter how good it is, if nobody ever sees or hears about it.
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If you're not willing to do the non-creative work or change the way you deal with potential clients, it will be better to keep your creative activities a personal interest or hobby.
That way, you continue to enjoy it for what it is, and never have to worry about "making money" out of it.
And that's fine, too.
Debunking Rubbish Advice on the Internet: Find Three Hobbies You Love
You've probably seen this quote, or some variant of it:
Find three hobbies you love:
One that makes you money,
One to keep you in shape,
One that keeps you creative.
I think this quote is complete and utter rubbish.
Let's have a definition:
A hobby is an activity, usually regular, that is done for enjoyment, typically during leisure times. It's not done professionally, and not for pay.
I didn't come up with this. It's on Wikipedia.
So, first "suggested hobby" first:
Just because you love something, doesn't mean you have to make money from it, much less turn it into a business.
Often, especially if it's a "creative" hobby, having to please a client is a quick way to killing your enthusiasm for it.
I love photography. I got good at it.
I started to get hired to do photography.
I hated being a hired photographer.
I went back to being a hobbyist.
Obviously, some people are going to enjoy the process of making a business out of what they love.
And some people DO make good money out of the things they love.
But to suggest that a hobby should make you money?
That's garbage advice.
Why does everything have to be monetised and tainted with commercialism?
Let people enjoy what they enjoy, and leave them alone.
On to the second "suggested hobby".
There are a few people who love to exercise, but the vast majority of people hate it.
Suggesting that someone should enjoy exercise when they don't doesn't make them want to do it more.
It likely pushes them the other way, into thinking, "Oh, so if I don't enjoy it, maybe I shouldn't do it anymore."
That's counter-productive.
You want more people to stay healthy and fit?
Just be upfront about it. Exercise is hard. It takes effort. It takes energy. But the benefits are tremendous. Push the benefits.
Stop telling people that it should be a hobby - something that they enjoy - when they don't.
Finally, the third "suggested hobby".
Alright, this one is still marginally palatable.
But hey, you can't give three out of three total BS tips, right? One of them has to be something people will generally agree with.
And putting the "most true one" last makes it more likely that people will respond to it and somewhat agree with the other garbage tips.
The best lies always have a kernel of truth in them.
That said, not every hobby has to be a "creative" one.
If I like to watch birds, I'm not exactly creating anything. But it doesn't make it any less of a hobby than, let's say, pottery or sculpting.
So, even though this last point is better than the other two, it's still one-dimensional and pretty rubbish.
What's my point?
Ignore these "productivity gurus" that have to make everything about productivity and money, as if these are the end all and be all's of life.
Life is WAY more than that.
Enjoy your hobbies for what they are, in the exact way that you like them.
Have an excellent week ahead!
