If you’re reading this, chances are good you support individual creators, be they writers, painters, dancers, or musicians. You probably buy things on etsy, at indie bookstores, or try to buy local when you can. You understand the value of supporting independent business people and artisans.
But you also probably have a household spending plan and there are usually more small and independent creators that you’d like to support than your dollars can support. Here, then are three easy ways to help support creators that don’t cost you a cent:
1. Upvote or like their work. If you’re reading on a forum that provides likes, claps, or other indicators of popularity, click it. These elements drive algorithms that fuel the platform. Sometimes, the likes will propel the creator’s content into a bigger distribution channel. Sometimes it drives page views, which in turn drives dollars to your creator. It takes just a few extra seconds, but it makes a huge difference to your creator.
2. Share their work. If it’s a retweet, forwarding an email newsletter, sharing an update on a social network or “regramming” something on instagram.
BONUS POINTS: when you share, amplify it even further by giving it some context—let your friends know why this particular artist’s message is important to you. “I love reading _________’s posts, because they always brighten my day. This post talks about the power of laughter, and we could all use that! <tag the creator >”
EXTRA BONUS POINTS: use any appropriate hashtags that can leave digital breadcrumbs for others to find your creator’s work.
3. Refer them to PAID gigs. Believe me, creators are already inundated with offers to provide their work “for exposure.” Without meaning to sound ungrateful, exposure doesn’t pay the rent. Many creators *already* provide their work for free to causes they support—they may design logos for nonprofits, play at fundraisers for free, or serve on boards. When you refer a creator for an opportunity, make sure that it pays them.
4. Buy their work. Technically, this one costs you something, but I’ve provided three above which do not. If you read someone’s content more than four times a month, consider subscribing to their Patreon. Buy their album. Buy their book (if you buy a bunch of their books for distribution to your workplace, that’s really awesome). Buy a ticket to their performance.
Most creators would work for free. They’re almost compelled by an invisible force to bring their creativity out of some inner wellspring of inspiration. But things like paint, brushes, rent, microphones, canvas, pens, paper, coffee and internet access cost money. When you draw from their well of creativity and don’t put money back into the proverbial tip jar, an imbalance is created, and they can’t continue to exist.
P.S. Every Sunday, I publish a free weekly newsletter called the 3 Minute Reset, which includes life lessons, life hacks and treats. To subscribe, click here.
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