I laughed at the comic below and shortly after, I sighed. It almost immediately reminded me of how unbalanced our society is (especially in America.)
The Art at SteemFest events and spending so much time with fellow creatives in Lisbon has my brain swirling with ideas for collaboration and about how valuable creative people will be in the coming decades.
When is the last time a song, a poem, a film, or a piece of art moved you?
It happens to me almost on a weekly basis. The truth is these creative treasures have the power to enrich our lives and impact us so deeply they can actually change you.
We live in a world flush with life altering creative treasures, many of them are accessible for free, 24/7, from any mobile device. The unfortunate thing is a staggeringly small percentage of the creative geniuses who create these great gifts ever reap the benefits of their valuable service to humanity. Thankfully, platforms like Steemit are changing this.
Creative people infuse our world with beauty, positive energy, they even shake us from our apathy and challenge us to think outside the confines of the boxes we create for ourselves. How valuable is this? More importantly, how do you put a price on it?
Determining how much our work is worth is one of the most difficult things for us creatives. Our creative fruits -- art, literature, poetry are all subjective. Work that truly impacts one person may miss the mark with someone else. To add even more layers of complexity, you must make a reasonable name for yourself before most people are willing to spend a dime on your work. The truth is it can’t be done overnight but it can be done. I’m proof.
The First Step
First, you must give yourself permission to be an artist or writer. You must also give yourself permission to ask people to pay a reasonable price for your work. If you work hard and create a quality product that sparks an emotional connection with others you deserve to be compensated…don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Yes, you may have to, occasionally, give some content away for free but you shouldn’t do this for long. Focus more on building your following. Keep honing the skills of your craft, continue to build your confidence, learn to market and network like a boss!
By the same token, if you encounter another creative person whose work moves you and you are in the position to do so, buy it. Become a patron. It feels incredible to support another person’s work. This is the greatest gift you can give someone who is struggling to build their career. It’s not just about the money but more about the validation of their talent.
That item you purchase could be the first sale they’ve had in a week or a month and it will give them the hope they need to keep pursuing their dreams. I know, I’ve been there, far too many of us have.
The age of the starving artist must come to an end. In reality, we are all just one big creative family who wants to do the work that we love as we struggle to find our place in the world. The difference between where you are today and where you want to be is often as simple as merely changing your mindset.
Yours in the chain,
Eric
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It's true that artists are being underpaid, but don't give up. Because without creativity life would be very boring.
You can say that again! Creativity is a large part of what makes us human, I think.
There is only one thing that keeps me from throwing in the day job like you did, my lack of creative talent. There is plenty of great talent in this community, I feel blessed to be able to enjoy the works others produce here. Not everyone can create great work, but everyone can enjoy it.
Until next time,
@sultnpapper
Thanks for your comment! I agree, the amount and quality of content here is incredible!
Loved the article, @eric. It's really all about going out on a limb, I guess... There rarely are certainties in this world. I really value your words. As a young writer, just starting out, they're really helpful. It's all very confusing, but also wonderful in the sense that good or bad, this is what you wanted, you're living the dream, baby.
Awesome comic and so so very true.
Thank you @honeydue! It really is about have the confidence to go out on that limb. I'm glad it was helpful to you! I wish there was something like Steemit around when I was getting my start 20 years ago.
Yes, the life of an artists can be such that you don't have two pennies to rub together.
The life of an inventor is far worse. Usually spending lifetimes on what amounts to one great work. Then having the work stolen and sold by someone else.
Also, I really feel artists shouldn't complain. (to much) Not that long ago, if you wanted to be an artist, you had to find a wealthy person to become your sponsor. The common people were too busy worrying about starving to death to give any care about the art.
Also, being an artist is incredibly rewarding in and of itself. In a way that is no other job can match. So, that is the compensation you are getting.
You could also complain about the disparity in income from one artist to another. Even though, in some cases, they are making the exact same art.
You're so right about inventors. We know one (who is a bonafide genius) and has gotten far less credit/compensation for his work than he should have. This guy is luckier than most too because he, at least, is getting some compensation.
I feel the tools are available now for artists to make a career more quickly without the need for a benefactor, like the old days. The key is really networking/marketing/audience building on social media.
That is the key @ericvancewalton. I have worked in the product world for games, toys, inventions, creations, etc and met many artists of all walks of life. Nowadays you don't have to hope for the one person to see your work to come sweep you away, there are so many means of doing it yourself. Of course you have to know those means and learn them. Its not easy for everyone, there's a lot to learn, but doable.
~bluerocktalk🖖
Great and keep posting stay blessed
I enjoy reading your posts. Agree that more people will identify art through multi and social media platforms. There are still those that do not recognize beauty or originality in art. Unfortunately. There is so much to learn and appreciate everywhere we turn. Thanks for your post. 🐓🐓
I'm glad! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment!
Thanks for reminding us how important creativity and art is in this world we live in. I agree that a piece of art can move someone and change them. Some great tips especially for young artists.
Thanks!
So true. Hopefully networks like Steemit will change the way artists are paid!
Thanks! I think Steemit is already changing the landscape for the better. I hope it continues!
You’re so right my friend.
I guess I'm abnormal.
I don't listen to what they call 'music'.
very pleasant to read i enjoyed it and you earned an upvote and a follow ;)
Perhaps you can do the same when you are free and take a look at my posts and give me some love back as well :)
Thanks!
This post was very informative thank you for sharing
you have my upvote
@mannyfig1956
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Nicely said buddy and some good points on the profession !
Nice post dear Eric
Great words, my friend, that we are here on Steemit everything as a family, it brings confidence and inspiration. I completely agree with you that you need to constantly show your nature and do not despair, when something does not work out. We must firmly believe and go forward. Thank you for your support and kind words @ericvancewalton :)
Thanks for your comment, @serkagan!
Amen! I am so sick of people telling me that they don't have to pay for my stories or blog posts, because it will be great "exposure". Last time I checked, exposure didn't pay the bills.
another artist friend once said in response to a request for free work for exposure "you can die of exposure". I too am so tired of the lipservice given to valuing creativity but this not matching the actions. May your work be well-compensated and may steemit help all of us!
That is an awesome response, I hope your friend doesn't mind me using it. Yes, Steemit will hopefully help with this.
Yes, use it!! She said it about 20 years ago and loves that other people now say it too.
I love that response, @natureofbeing!
I couldn't agree more! I've seen so many people struggle for decades at their craft because of holding on to that mentality that is hammered into creative people's heads, I was one of them. It took twenty three years of working in a cubicle before I woke up.
Oh my, thank you for putting this often unspoken issue into words so eloquently and clearly!! I have several drafts that say something similar but none nearly so well. We all need to say this and act upon this at every opportunity for some reason it's the reality too rarely acknowledged.
You're welcome, Ruth! I've been around creative people my whole life and feel most of them are indeed old souls. Money isn't important to many of them but it pains me to see how so many struggle needlessly.
Money isn't the reason creative people create but without it, they become depleted, drained and in despair which is lose-lose. Whereas when they are valued it's win-win.
I'd also like to note that somehow when creatives address being paid, valued etc... there's this idea that they are greedy. Lol, it's so ludicrous just as the comic shows. No one becomes a writer or artist for greedy reasons, but without currency, we simply can't continue making it at the level that brings mastery and real value!
So true. I tend to look at money as energy, a means to make dreams physical reality and nothing more.
Creative energy is a state of mind. Enthusiasm is contagious, success is measured by the measure of patience, courage and dedicated work.
Support the poor, the ones without money, support geniuses who do not know how to get to the top. Thanks for amazing post @ericvancewalton
Thank you for reading and for your support @dobartim!
You really are very talented, I believe you will write some good motivational books @ericvancewalton
Beautiful Post well done
Thanks! Much appreciated!
You can contact me on facebook
Note to self: learn to market and network like a boss
@opheliafu....you, my friend, are already a bonafide boss! : )
I will purchase a new desk sign straight away.
I think you should. : )
lol!
amazing post about life ...
thanks for sharing
You're welcome! Thanks for reading!
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