Client: Tugboat Yards, an alternative revenue model for internet publishers

Project: A blog post on the guilt artists feel about asking for money from supporters

We need to talk about fear and guilt. We’ve heard it quite a bit lately (and frankly, we’re a little concerned): some artists, musicians, writers and other creators would love to ask their audiences for money, but they’re afraid. They’re afraid of backlash. They’re afraid their fans will be indignant or offended. They’re afraid people will revolt against change. They’re afraid they don’t have a “real” right to the money.

This fear — and accompanying guilt — is culturally ingrained. There’s an overwhelming expectation you can’t make money as an artist and creators should prepare themselves for a life of ramen. It’s not a “real job,” despite expecting artists to create on a full-time schedule. Not only that, but any substantial rise to fame and fortune is only accomplished by “selling out.” It’s gotten to the point that almost any reasonable financial stability or accomplishment is perceived as selling out. Let me be clear: merchandising is not selling out. Sponsorship is not selling out. Asking for a few bucks from fans just as a thank-you is not selling out. Selling out is sacrificing your art or most basic values in order to make some cash. Urban Dictionary agrees with me so, you know, there’s your proof.

This concept is actively used (although hopefully unintentionally) to discourage creators from making a buck. While the career path of an artist is challenging, to be sure, the problem with this idea is it sets up the expectation — for artists and fans alike — that the artist isn’t in it for the money. And the problem with that idea is while commitment to the craft is all well and good, you can’t eat a sense of personal fulfillment.

As we’ve discussed before, the money ain’t free. It’s not asking for a handout. It’s about finding a sustainable model of repayment for the work a creator produces. It’s about the support, it’s about the love, it’s about the exchange. As one of our publishers recently learned, audiences are responsive to this. They understand it’s not a demand — it’s a request coming from a place of deep appreciation and respect.

After I contributed $5 to David McCreath for his video podcast, It Might Get Personal, he messaged me to let me know he was able to use the funds he had recently received to upgrade some of his filming equipment. Awesome! I loved hearing what he was doing with the money I gave him. But I gave it to him freely, and trusted him to use it as he saw fit.

Creators: you don’t need to justify your finances to your fans (unless they’re also filing your taxes for you). You buy what you need to do your thing and keep making something wonderful, whether it’s a memory foam mattress so you can sleep better, a supply of pens for your webcomic, new recording equipment or a downpayment for your tour bus. Your loyal fans want to see you succeed! Beyoncé doesn’t hand an expense report over to everyone who buys a concert ticket. No one asks Jennifer Lawrence if she really needs $10 million for a film. Your audience should trust you to make sound judgments about what you need (and if you can’t, maybe you should speak to an accountant or financial planner or a friend who’s good at math).

In short, stop apologizing! What are you apologizing for? If you say you’re sorry for asking for something, it only lends credence to the idea you have something to be sorry for at all. You don’t owe anyone an apology for making a living. You don’t owe anyone an apology for asking for something in return for the work you produce. You don’t owe anyone apology for wanting something to eat, be it off-brand mac and cheese or oysters by the dozen. You worked for it!

To paraphrase the old adage, if you love your fans, let them go; if they love you, they’ll come back with money. If they don’t, they’re probably still pirating your work elsewhere. Or something.

(And if you’re a supporter? Seriously, we totally understand — it’s okay if you don’t have the money or don’t want to contribute. We just hate to see an artist feel guilty for asking.)