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

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 teaches us.

It doesn’t happen because you’re amazing at what you do (even though you are).

It doesn’t happen because you followed the rules and got good grades and paid your dues (even though you did).

It doesn’t happen because you have passion or you’re willing to put in the hours (even though you do).

We all learn, growing up, that if you want to make a professional life as a creative person, all that’s required is passion, hard work, and talent.

That’s crap.

And if you believed that crap for a very long time?

Hey, join the club.

So did just about everyone. It's time to bust some myths, and in their place, implement functional, straightforward, artist-centered strategies so that you can earn a stable and sustaining income with your amazing work!

There are three paths out of this mess

One of them involves doing more (but different things).

The other two are all about doing LESS.

1) You can sell more

Devote yourself to getting really really good at mass marketing (meaning something like becoming a YouTuber and/or Instagram influencer, combined with other approaches), and probably eventually use ads to reach ever-larger audiences.

2) You can charge more

…So you don’t have to have as many customers or clients.

That might mean raising prices on what you have, or deleting less-profitable products or services, or possibly changing the structure of your offer to make it more valuable and profitable.

3) Or, you can not need to make as much money from your creative work…

…And build the fanbase that feels right to you. (Meaning, get a day job, or lean on a generous partner, and take the pressure off your work to pay for itself.) This is a totally legit option.

The biggest danger of learning this math is that you’ll feel helpless and hopeless

That’s NOT what I want. The point is that the math is there whether you’re looking at it or not, and once you understand it, choice is in your hands.

Until you choose to know your numbers, and act on them, these hidden dynamics control you.

Let's figure out which path is right for you.

I’m launching a new program called the Autonomous Creative Incubator, designed to help creative professionals build a real business so that they can make a great living and stop constantly courting burnout.

Incubator applications are currently closed!

Our pilot cohort is currently full, and we are incredibly excited to run this program. If you'd like to be the first to hear about the next cohort, you can still sign up for the waitlist by applying anyway.

We won't be able to accept you for the pilot program, but I'd love to hear more about your creative business plans!

I’m Jessica Abel

I’m a cartoonist/ author/ teacher/ editor/ illustrator turned creative business owner.

I know what it’s like to be doing everything “right,” and realize that people on the outside think I’ve got it all nailed, yet working insane hours and still not making ends meet.

My own story is why I’m totally committed to my mission to help as many artists, writers, and other creatives take control of their careers as I possibly can.

I believe that every professional creative needs to equip themself with powerful, effective strategy so that they can build businesses that meet their needs. Strategy—which includes getting a handle on the numbers—is the key that unlocks powerful decisions that will allow artists to live and work as they choose.

We (the big We—the world) need you to be successful because we need you to have the freedom and support to bring your work to the world for the rest of us to experience!

I’m Jessica Abel

I’m a cartoonist/ author/ teacher/ editor/ illustrator turned creative business owner.

I know what it’s like to be doing everything “right,” and realize that people on the outside think I’ve got it all nailed, yet working insane hours and still not making ends meet.

My own story is why I’m totally committed to my mission to help as many artists, writers, and other creatives take control of their careers as I possibly can.

We (the big We—the world) need you to be successful because we need you to have the freedom and support to bring your work to the world for the rest of us to experience!