Maybe making money isn’t your highest priority, but if you don’t earn something from somewhere it becomes difficult to sustain yourself, and the dream dies. So force yourself to think about money and how to get paid.

Money made easily is just as valuable as hard – earned income. There is no need to feel guilty. Most people don’t realize that ‘easy money’ is usually the result of hard word and sacrifice over a long period of time. It took time to develop the talent to be able to command a high fee.

It takes plenty of hard work to make money in the creative business. Many times it comes down to the dilemma of whether it is worth it or not. How hungry are you? Are you doing all you can? Really?  There are many examples of people who had to put up with so much crap before they started making real money with their creative business. They were relentless. They were determined. They would not be denied – no matter how long it took. I say: Good for them – they deserve it. We see them as a success but many times fail to recognize what it took for them to make it.

There is the up and down career of a creative person. So if you start to feel sorry for yourself because you aren’t making enough money or getting the big break you want so badly, remember that we all go through the same cycles, and those who make it keep our heads held high, put in the extra effort, do the undesirable things that need to be done to keep the dream alive, and it eventually pays off.

Even if you don’t have any money set aside, you can still outhustle and outwork others who have more money. Creativity and resourcefulness can overcome a lack of financial resources.

What actions can you take to create more money? Most books do not sell themselves. It is the author who makes it happen You have go to work your butt off. Having too much money can make you stupid and lazy.  When you don’t have money for promotion you use innovative ideas that usually work really well. Not many people put in the consistent and persistent effort it takes to make it. They have some fantasy of it all just happening for them somehow. There is no secret to success. You have gotta just put in the time and effort to do it. And when you finally make it, you have to keep at it. That ‘s why creative professionals have to continue to seek positive publicity and continue to promote themselves. How high you want to go and how much you want to make it are in direct proportion to how hard you are willing to work.

To reach your dreams may take time.  I realize you want it to happen ‘like yesterday’, but I just don’t want you to be unrealistic about what it takes to make your money dreams come true. Don’t freak out (and abandon your goals) if it doesn’t happen for you right away. And please don’t say, ‘It will never happen’. You won’t be stuck in a lousy life forever, I promise. So sit back and enjoy the journey, because it may be a long one. That doesn’t mean don’t do anything. Far from it. If you don’t work it, then it won’t work out. Patience and persistence, that’s the formula I’m talking about. Few creative people start earning money right away.  The point I was going to make is that even if you aren’t making much money and the market for your work hasn’t developed (yet), it does not mean you aren’t talented. Hang in there.

You could use some support. Support can come in many forms, from money to advice to a helping hand and from many sources: a friend, family member, mentor or your partner. There is another angle to consider. Support can come from your label, publisher, employer, gallery, agent, manager and anyone who has a stake in your success. Get them to give you tools, time or money. Sometimes sharing your financial frustrations with other creative people can be helpful.