From time to time we get an email, or a comment on Facebook, questioning whether monetizing your creativity is selling out. Often people speak about art and creativity as if it is something too precious to ‘sell’, and in limited supply. But I ask you this – what other talent can you think of that, if you shined brightly enough, you wouldn’t happily turn into a source of income, or the basis of a job? Professional-level sporting ability, economics genius, a flair for science, a way with teaching? So why is art and creativity any different?
When someone asks me if selling art is selling out my response is an unequivocal, “No”. In fact, I usually go on to say “If you are blessed with a creative gift so potent and true that people are willing to pay for access to it, in whatever form, why not share it? If it can support your lifestyle and family, allowing you to do what you love, why wouldn’t you do it?” Besides, every day our lives are enhanced by beautiful paintings, smart design, stirring words, gorgeous music, powerful journalism, striking photography and more. We are surrounded by creativity every day that, in more cases than most, has been paid for. If the creative behind each of these things weren’t paid for it, they’d probably have to get a ‘normal’ job and the world would be a duller, less inspiring place as a result.
So remember this: The world needs you to shine your creative light and do your thing, and the world might just be willing to pay for it.
The same goes for business. As Steve Jobs said, “Creativity is just connecting things.” Connect your talent to income possibilities and see what happens. Unleash your creativity and don’t be shy of making profits that you are proud of.
