That means so much to me, Annika. You've touched on exactly what I set out to accomplish with my writing and what you've said makes me feel seen too. I'm so, so glad you're here.
This is that bit. Thanks for shouting it out. Glad it resonated :)
Lots of people ask me why I’m so concerned with people monetizing their work. While I appreciate lots of people just want to write, what I have seen again and again is that, eventually, if you don't make money on something, you will burn out at it.
Heck, you might burn out if you do make money on something, but you are sure to do so if you don't.
This is because passions are often hard and expensive, and laying in bed surrounded by books is easy. It's much easier to zone out and play video games than to do the hard work of this blog, or my podcast, or even writing books.
My podcast, The Complete Creative, ran for 200 episodes and made me a total of $100. I loved that podcast, but eventually, it became impossible to put in the resources required to make it better, because it wasn't making any money.
I couldn’t pay for advertising, I couldn’t pay for a better editor. I couldn’t do anything to make it better.
Since I couldn't improve on it, the show stagnated and became boring.
I've met so many people who had to abandon their dreams because they couldn't grow it effectively. Either they didn't have the money or audience to make it worthwhile.
So, they gave up. Maybe they didn't abandon their dream entirely, but it became a hobby they only did sporadically when they had time, and no longer shared it widely with the world.
Yes, some people took it up as a hobby and then got a job, but most people just abandoned the thing they loved because it became too hard to push that boulder up a hill with no reward.
There are only so many hours in a day, and it's hard to spend the few free hours people have on something that costs a lot of money and doesn't grow at all.
However, when you see growth in something it becomes very easy to invest more time and money into it because all your hard work is paying off.
This is why I think it's so important to learn the marketing side of things; because then you will see growth in your business, and invest more into it. Then, there will be more cool things in the world, and I can buy them all.
Even if you make no money, you will at least find more people to appreciate your work. Many creators say they don’t care about the money. I have never met one who didn’t want to find more people that resonated with their message.
Yes, I thought you were the one who said it! I edited to link to your post; thanks! My mindset was admittedly quite Van Gogh-like in their starving-artist mentality for much of my creative life. I've always thought, "Well, I'll write for myself and if other people enjoy it, that's a nice bonus." It's only recently that I've shifted that to considering my writing as something actually valuable and worth people's money. Turning on paid subscriptions was scary for me, but has been so rewarding and given me a huge confidence boost. For the first time, I have the courage to pursue creative writing as a career, and to devote time and energy into developing my skills and growing as a writer.
Like you said, it's not about the money. But money plays a part in providing freedom for us to produce work that people will enjoy.
Thank you for being part of my journey, Russell! Your posts are absolute gold and have helped encourage the shift in my own perspective.
This is so great, Tiffany. I learned in reading this that you and I may be kindred spirits. ✨
The line:I am more at home among a grove of trees than a crowd of people. Oof - me too!
I especially loved how you incorporated the question: How do you know if you should upgrade to paid? - with some examples of resonance that make upgrading worthwhile. Such a clever and heartfelt approach!
I'm glad to have found this beautiful space and a fellow LOTR nerd. :) I hail from Central Virginia and am seeking to slow down in my days. I want to see the small moments, how they shine.
Thank you so much for quoting me in your recent post about AI! I'm so glad you find my article helpful in gathering your thoughts. ❤ Keep making beautiful magic! (Sorry, I'm new-ish to Substack and couldn't figure out how to comment on the actual post without subscribing.)
Thanks for visiting, Talena! Your article was beautifully written and informative. It gave me new things to think about, and I'm grateful for your voice.
Lovely hero post; I look forward to writing mine in a few months. I hope that after more time on the platform, I, too, will feel at home here. I'm looking forward to reading more of your writing.
Tiffany, I am sitting on a plane, reading your intro post, and weeping. I resonate so deeply with who you are and how you feel, even though I may present differently (I'm probably less guarded since I'm very extroverted). Subscribed today and looking forward to hearing and learning more from you!
Oh wow, I'm just so honoured and moved by what you've said, Heidi. I'm grateful you're here, reading my words, and glad we've miraculously found a connection in this strange and lonely world. Thank you.
That means so much to me, Annika. You've touched on exactly what I set out to accomplish with my writing and what you've said makes me feel seen too. I'm so, so glad you're here.
I definitely wrote about that here. https://www.theauthorstack.com/p/growth-or-something-like-it
This is that bit. Thanks for shouting it out. Glad it resonated :)
Lots of people ask me why I’m so concerned with people monetizing their work. While I appreciate lots of people just want to write, what I have seen again and again is that, eventually, if you don't make money on something, you will burn out at it.
Heck, you might burn out if you do make money on something, but you are sure to do so if you don't.
This is because passions are often hard and expensive, and laying in bed surrounded by books is easy. It's much easier to zone out and play video games than to do the hard work of this blog, or my podcast, or even writing books.
My podcast, The Complete Creative, ran for 200 episodes and made me a total of $100. I loved that podcast, but eventually, it became impossible to put in the resources required to make it better, because it wasn't making any money.
I couldn’t pay for advertising, I couldn’t pay for a better editor. I couldn’t do anything to make it better.
Since I couldn't improve on it, the show stagnated and became boring.
I've met so many people who had to abandon their dreams because they couldn't grow it effectively. Either they didn't have the money or audience to make it worthwhile.
So, they gave up. Maybe they didn't abandon their dream entirely, but it became a hobby they only did sporadically when they had time, and no longer shared it widely with the world.
Yes, some people took it up as a hobby and then got a job, but most people just abandoned the thing they loved because it became too hard to push that boulder up a hill with no reward.
There are only so many hours in a day, and it's hard to spend the few free hours people have on something that costs a lot of money and doesn't grow at all.
However, when you see growth in something it becomes very easy to invest more time and money into it because all your hard work is paying off.
This is why I think it's so important to learn the marketing side of things; because then you will see growth in your business, and invest more into it. Then, there will be more cool things in the world, and I can buy them all.
Even if you make no money, you will at least find more people to appreciate your work. Many creators say they don’t care about the money. I have never met one who didn’t want to find more people that resonated with their message.
Yes, I thought you were the one who said it! I edited to link to your post; thanks! My mindset was admittedly quite Van Gogh-like in their starving-artist mentality for much of my creative life. I've always thought, "Well, I'll write for myself and if other people enjoy it, that's a nice bonus." It's only recently that I've shifted that to considering my writing as something actually valuable and worth people's money. Turning on paid subscriptions was scary for me, but has been so rewarding and given me a huge confidence boost. For the first time, I have the courage to pursue creative writing as a career, and to devote time and energy into developing my skills and growing as a writer.
Like you said, it's not about the money. But money plays a part in providing freedom for us to produce work that people will enjoy.
Thank you for being part of my journey, Russell! Your posts are absolute gold and have helped encourage the shift in my own perspective.
Glad to play my little part.
This is so true. Writing is the hardest profession and it pays the least. Not even a fraction of the amount of the effort that goes in it.
It really is. If writers got paid hourly, we would all be super rich.
This is so great, Tiffany. I learned in reading this that you and I may be kindred spirits. ✨
The line:I am more at home among a grove of trees than a crowd of people. Oof - me too!
I especially loved how you incorporated the question: How do you know if you should upgrade to paid? - with some examples of resonance that make upgrading worthwhile. Such a clever and heartfelt approach!
Oh I hope we are! Thank you so much for your comment, Allison. I'm still learning as I go, as I'm sure you are too. Cheers to you on your journey too.
I'm glad to have found this beautiful space and a fellow LOTR nerd. :) I hail from Central Virginia and am seeking to slow down in my days. I want to see the small moments, how they shine.
Rebecca, I'm so happy you're here and yes to seeing the small moments. I am trying my best to do that too. And yay for LOTR nerds!!
Thank you so much for quoting me in your recent post about AI! I'm so glad you find my article helpful in gathering your thoughts. ❤ Keep making beautiful magic! (Sorry, I'm new-ish to Substack and couldn't figure out how to comment on the actual post without subscribing.)
Thanks for visiting, Talena! Your article was beautifully written and informative. It gave me new things to think about, and I'm grateful for your voice.
❤
Lovely hero post; I look forward to writing mine in a few months. I hope that after more time on the platform, I, too, will feel at home here. I'm looking forward to reading more of your writing.
Thank you, Jasmine! Best of luck on your own, and welcome. I'm glad you're here. =)
Great summary post Tiffany. I always love seeing a good introductory page 😁
Thanks, Nathan!
Just by reading your words, I can believe that you're a beautiful human being inside-out, Tiffany. Thank you for guiding us home by your words ❤️
Ashi, you are such a kind soul by saying that. Thank you for being here. I'm grateful.
I can relate to so much of this! 💕
So glad you're here.
Thank you. ☺️
Tiffany, I am sitting on a plane, reading your intro post, and weeping. I resonate so deeply with who you are and how you feel, even though I may present differently (I'm probably less guarded since I'm very extroverted). Subscribed today and looking forward to hearing and learning more from you!
Oh wow, I'm just so honoured and moved by what you've said, Heidi. I'm grateful you're here, reading my words, and glad we've miraculously found a connection in this strange and lonely world. Thank you.
True. We continue to write without compensation because writing is our reward.
💛💛💛 This is such a beautiful introduction, Tiffany. I'm cheering for you and your stories.
Evelyn, thank you for your kind words. It means a lot.
Love the tree symbol! The evergreen the always alive symbol of the evergreen spirit. 🌲 Always keeps going!
Thank you, Larry! Pine trees were my son's favourite.