I’ve tried to make money with my creative work for a long time, and it hasn't worked. How is the Incubator approach different?

I'd hazard a guess that when you've made attempts before, you were probably throwing spaghetti at the wall. What I mean is that trying random tactics like “post more on Instagram” or “start an email list” will make little impact on your bottom line if the underlying structure of the business isn’t set up to be profitable. The Incubator focuses on strategy first. You will start by designing a business model that’s set up from its foundations to make you the money you need in the time you have available. And only then will you choose reasonable, aligned tactics according to what works for you, so that you can see results. Of course, there are no guarantees! But if you’re not making enough money with your creative work now, and you've been at this for a while...doesn’t it make sense to try something completely different? Isn't it time to test a brand-new strategy that is designed for success?

When I look at your students, I feel like maybe I don’t have what it takes, and I should study some more or get a certification or publish or show more before I’ll be ready to start. How do I know if I’m ready?

I get it. Our students are legit awesome! And they would also laugh their heads off at the idea that they now look so amazing that other people think they must have some special sauce that made their transformation possible. Quite the contrary: There were many conversations in coaching about impostor syndrome, fears of not being good enough or trained enough, desire to retreat into a certification program. I (gently, firmly) encourage each of them to acknowledge what they already have and know and do, and use that. Our mantra is “imperfect action,” and every Incubator student has had to lean on that mantra, hard, to get where they are today. What you need to succeed in this program is: Experience doing the thing you want to help people with. Not learning about that thing in a grad degree program. Experience in real life. You will use the raw material of your expertise, your experience, and what engages and excites you to design a business where you’re the expert, doing what you do best.

I’m super uncomfortable with the whole concept of trying to make money with my creative work.

I hear you. I have felt the same way. Know this: Making money is how we are able to 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 these feelings and take back your power, the Incubator will help you get there.

I want to join, but I just don’t know if I can commit 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 the hustle-and-grind cycle, so that after six months you have more time for the stuff you actually want to be doing. You can think of it this way: If you’re exhausted and burnt out from what you’re doing now…how different will things be in 6 months if you take no steps to change your life? It’s always hard to make time for a big project. But THIS big project will make time for YOU, in exchange.

Does my business 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 be 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 you 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 the six-month Incubator ends, you’ll be invited to re-enroll inside the Incubator as a next-level alum (a Hatchling!), with access to all the materials, every special event, and weekly coaching calls. If you choose not to re-enroll in the Incubator, you’ll 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 the monthly content published in the ACC, for a small monthly fee.

What are the important dates?

Concierge onboarding will occur with live walkthroughs in the week of October 17. We start on October 22-23, 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 from October 24, 2022 through November 18. The cohort runs through April 14, 2023. You’ll launch your offer to the Autonomous Creative Collective during the month of April!

landing page Archives - Jessica Abel

Guest Workshops with Jessica | Creative Focus

By Jessica Abel

Hi there – I’m Jessica I’m a business strategist for mid-career creatives: I’m committed to helping people finish and get paid for the work they love, the work that is on no one’s schedule but their own. I’m an indie cartoonist and author turned business owner. I founded Autonomous Creative to help other creatives build…

Guest Workshops with Jessica

By Jessica Abel

For community leaders, coaches, creative business owners, and alumni group leaders Guest Workshops with Jessica Abel Working together to support your people Hi there—I’m Jessica I’m a business strategist for mid-career creatives: I’m committed to helping people finish and get paid for the work they love, the work that is on no one’s schedule but…

The Income Clarity Calculator Delivered

By Jessica Abel

Thanks for signing up — Click the button below to get your Income Clarity Calculator right now! GET CLEAR ON MY NUMBERS © 2022 Autonomous Creative. All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy & Terms of Service · Website by ModernTraction.com

The Income Clarity Calculator: Pinpoint your own numbers

By Jessica Abel

Once you’ve got your numbers, you’ve got choices. Pinpoint your own numbers so that you can make the best decisions about your business design. Enter your email to get your own Income Clarity Calculator! Get clarity! © 2022 Autonomous Creative. All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy & Terms of Service · Website by ModernTraction.com

Creative Business Design Lab Sessions | See it again!

By Jessica Abel

The Creative Business Design Lab How to create a multipassionate website that works, with Victoria Lansford 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…

You’re in! | Creative Business Design Lab

By Jessica Abel

Thank you for joining the Creative Business Design Lab! Your link to join the session is on its way to your inbox—if you can’t find it, please check your Promotions and Spam…and then add my address to your Contacts so that future emails land in your inbox! If you’ve already got questions, we want to…

Creative Business Design Lab | Collaborate and Build Together

By Jessica Abel

The Creative Business Design Lab The Creative Business Design Lab is a monthly series of open conversations where we work together to solve real world problems that are part and parcel of running a successful creative business. I’ll bring guests, and we’ll have a topic each month. I’m also open to addressing whatever challenges you…

Three paths to financial sustainability as a creative | Interest

By Jessica Abel

You can have a profitable creative business that you’re proud of The Three Paths to Financial Sustainability replay has expired If you want to be the first to know when we go live with this seminar again, and to hear more about developing a thriving creative business, subscribe below! I WANT TO DISCOVER MY PATH…

The Autonomous Creative Incubator | Application

By Jessica Abel

Thanks for your interest in the Autonomous Creative Incubator! Our next cohort will be in Spring 2023, but in the meantime, we’d love to discover whether we’d be a good fit to work together. Please fill in an application to get on the waitlist! Launch a business you’re proud of in six months with The…

The Autonomous Creative Incubator | Applications are open!

By Jessica Abel

Thanks for your interest in the Autonomous Creative Incubator! Our next cohort will be in Spring 2023, but in the meantime, we’d love to discover whether we’d be a good fit to work together. Please fill in an application to get on the waitlist! FOR CREATIVES WHO WANT TO BUILD A PROFITABLE SERVICE BUSINESS ROOTED…

Posts Tagged ‘landing page’

Guest Workshops with Jessica | Creative Focus

Guest Workshops with Jessica

The Income Clarity Calculator Delivered

The Income Clarity Calculator: Pinpoint your own numbers

Creative Business Design Lab Sessions | See it again!

You’re in! | Creative Business Design Lab

Creative Business Design Lab | Collaborate and Build Together

Three paths to financial sustainability as a creative | Interest

The Autonomous Creative Incubator | Application

The Autonomous Creative Incubator | Applications are open!

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