If You Create Anything (Online or Otherwise), You Must Read This
March 4th, 2008 by Alec McNayrPosted in Business, Content, Online, Strategy, Viral |
Kevin Kelly writes about making a living from creative work. Genius. Go read it write now. No, wait, read my thoughts, then go read it. On second thought, go for it.
Between the mega-celebrity and the average day-job worker, especially here in Los Angeles, is a entire continuum of
semi-proquasi-professional artists and creative-types. Struggling for the “big opportunity.” Hoping that one day, Hollywood (or Wall Street, or whoever) will call their name and elevate them to riches and fame.But until that time, everyone struggles to make a living. From producers to writers, actors to painters. And if art is subjective and if being lucky is just as important as being talented, it can be very easy to pack up shop when the riches never seem to come.
Kevin talks about a threshold for making a living. 1,000 True Fans. If you can nurture relationships with 1,000 people, who, in some way, will give you money for what you do, you can make a living.
It’s almost simple math: 1,000 x $X.XX = a sustainable living.
These are passionate fans, mind you:
They will drive 200 miles to see you sing. They will buy the super deluxe re-issued hi-res box set of your stuff even though they have the low-res version. They have a Google Alert set for your name. They bookmark the eBay page where your out-of-print editions show up. They come to your openings. They have you sign their copies. They buy the t-shirt, and the mug, and the hat. They can’t wait till you issue your next work.
For me, it is a goal worth striving for — not some unattainable mirage. I can get there by doing my work, remaining passionate, and bringing people closer to my inner circle.
Instead of trying to reach the narrow and unlikely peaks of platinum hits, bestseller blockbusters, and celebrity status, they can aim for direct connection with 1,000 True Fans. It’s a much saner destination to hope for. You make a living instead of a fortune. You are surrounded not by fad and fashionable infatuation, but by True Fans. And you are much more likely to actually arrive there.
Build your audience. Kevin just built his with this post: +1 (Alec McNayr)
2 Responses to “If You Create Anything (Online or Otherwise), You Must Read This”
By Ken on Mar 4, 2008
This is a fantastic post and everyone that is looking to create a product or build a fan base should memorize these thoughts. Nurture, nurture, nurture…don’t take your relationships or networks, or fan base for granted.
By Melissa on Mar 7, 2008
Yes, yes, yes! This makes the daunting seem possible. Brilliant.