I’ve been trying to make money with my creative work for a long time, and it hasn't worked. Why is this different?

I'd hazard a guess that when you've made attempts before, you were probably throwing spaghetti at the wall. Essentially, trying tactics like “post more on Instagram” or “start and email list” that make no sense and no difference if the underlying structure of the business isn’t set up to be profitable. The Incubator focuses on strategy first. And then you’ll choose reasonable, aligned tactics according to what works for you, so that you will see results. There are no guarantees! But changing the underlying system so that it’s designed around meeting your needs is how you set yourself up for success.

I’m super uncomfortable with the whole concept of selling my work. I don’t even know if I feel OK about trying to make more money with my art.

I hear you. I have felt the same way. But making money is how we can take care of ourselves and our people. There is nothing wrong with being paid for the value you provide. We don’t expect a lawyer to write up a contract without being paid. We don’t think it’s weird for a house painter to expect money. Why do we think it’s wrong to be paid for creative work? Just because we like doing it? Or is it because we don’t really believe it’s worth anything…? Feeling that making money with our work is somehow wrong is a form of internalized oppression. It’s OK to have these feelings. We all do. If you’re willing to work on them and take back your power, the Incubator will help you get there.

Are there any prerequisites?

If you’re seeing this sales page, you’ve got what it takes. We’ve already checked the boxes with your application and any follow up. You’re ready and we want you!

I want to join, but I just don’t feel like I have the time.

The Incubator is a time commitment, it’s true. But consider all the extra time you spend side-hustling and grinding out more work for extra cash. The Incubator will help break that cycle, so that after six months you have more time for the stuff you actually want to be doing. Plus, The Incubator is entirely digital, which means you can complete the course lessons from the comfort of your couch or kitchen table, as long as you have an Internet connection! You can access the program from anywhere through our private course portal. And you'll never miss a beat: you can go at your own pace and do the lessons on your schedule.

Does it have to be online? What if I hate social media and want to stay away from email?

Social media is absolutely not required, and in many cases isn’t even recommended. Email, in some form, is likely to necessary, but it doesn’t have to be at the core of your marketing. There are lots of choices about how to promote your business, and when you build your own strategy on a solid framework, you get to be in charge of where your spend your time. That said, In the Incubator, we will assume that you are transacting business using online tools (like sales pages and payment engines, invoicing and tracking sales) and that you will have a website or other online location where you offer your work. Even if you create a physical deliverable, the structure of your business will be built with online tools.

What happens at the end of the six-month program?

For the six months of the program, you'll have full access to all of the course materials and the incredible Autonomous Creative Collective. When that six months ends, you will be eligible to join the Autonomous Creative Collective as an ongoing, alumni member at the end of your six month enrollment, with access to all the community support and monthly content published in the ACC. You’ll also be invited to re-enroll inside the Incubator as a next-level alum, with access to all the materials and coaching calls.

What are the important dates?

Concierge onboarding will occur with live walkthroughs in the week of February 28. We start on March 5-6, 2022 with the Jumpstart Weekend. We will be live 10 am - 4 pm ET. All calls will be recorded and available for replay. The Bootcamp Month (with 3x weekly coaching supports) runs through April 1. The Incubator program Pilot Cohort runs through September 30. You’ll launch your offer to the Autonomous Creative Collective during the month of September!

incubator Archives - Jessica Abel

Thanks for joining the Incubator 6 month coaching program!

By Jessica Abel

I’m so excited to keep working with you! More info about your membership is en route! Until it hits your inbox, please take a second to schedule an individual feedback call with me: Sign up here! Make sure you’ve added contact@jessicaabel.com to your contacts to ensure proper delivery of all your important materials! © 2022…

The Autonomous Creative Incubator | Join us!

By Jessica Abel

The Autonomous Creative Incubator is perfect for every artist, writer, or creative who gets paid for their work. Whether or not you call yourself a business owner. The decisive question in every creative’s career: “Am I going to continue to tolerate teetering on the verge of poverty and burnout, or am I willing to make…

Welcome to the Incubator!

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Welcome to The Autonomous Creative Incubator! You’ve decided that you’re ready to say goodbye to burnout and build a business on purpose. Your registration info is en route to your inbox! Until it gets there, let us know: Loading… Make sure you’ve added contact@jessicaabel.com to your contacts to ensure proper delivery of all your important materials!…

The Autonomous Creative Incubator | Applications are open

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Thanks for checking out The Autonomous Creative Incubator program! Our cohort is currently full, but you’re welcome to apply anyway to be added to the waitlist for our next cohort! Be as proud of your business as you are of your creative work For ambitious self-employed creative pros: design and launch a profitable business you…

Make more money as a creative | Are you underpricing your work?

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Here’s the good news: Once you understand the math, you’ve got choices. You can build a creative business that feeds your soul… and also your body. You can take control of your time, charge more for your work, get paid well, and feel like an actual grownup. But none of that happens the way society…

1,000 True Fans + 1 Elephant in the Room

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Listen to this post: Want to listen to this post (and more) on your fave podcast app? Sign up to get invited to my private audio feed! Send me the private feed! The compelling logic of 1,000 True Fans In 2008, Kevin Kelly (former editor of Wired) proposed the thesis that a working creative doesn’t…

Make more money as a creative | The Income Clarity Calculator

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The Income Clarity Calculator Ready to rip off the band-aid? Let’s go! What is your monthly income goal? This is your goal within the next year or two. The number should be meaningful, in that it would meet your needs, whatever those are. How to arrive at this number: If you don’t know what you…

Why just making more work doesn’t lead to making more money

By Jessica Abel

Listen to this post: Want to listen to this post (and more) on your fave podcast app? Sign up to get invited to my private audio feed! Send me the private feed! When they’re faced with an income plateau, here’s what creatives (artists, designers, writers, whatever) think they need to do to increase their income:…

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Thanks for joining the Incubator 6 month coaching program!

The Autonomous Creative Incubator | Join us!

Welcome to the Incubator!

The Autonomous Creative Incubator | Applications are open

Make more money as a creative | Are you underpricing your work?

1,000 True Fans + 1 Elephant in the Room

Make more money as a creative | The Income Clarity Calculator

Why just making more work doesn’t lead to making more money

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