The worst career advice I ever followed
The worst creative advice I ever followed:
“Real artists don’t care about money.”
I thought charging “too much” meant I wasn’t passionate enough. I thought talking about rates was tacky. I thought if I just loved art hard enough, then the universe would provide me with everything I needed.
So I underpriced everything.
I made entire animated projects for less than the cost of dinner.
And when clients said, “Wow, that’s such a good deal,” I felt proud.
A good deal.
They didn’t like the art. They liked that I was just… affordable.
The worst part wasn’t even the money. It was what it did to my confidence. When you price yourself low, people treat you like you’re low risk. Low investment. Low priority. Notes get sloppier. Boundaries get blurrier. Your time becomes flexible in a way that somehow ONLY benefits them.
I told myself I was being humble.
When I was actually just being scared.
Scared that if I charged more, they’d say no.
Scared that if I valued my work, someone would laugh.
Scared that wanting stability made me less of an artist.
When I finally started charging what my work is worth I learned…
Being paid well does not make you less creative.
It’s what makes the work sustainable.
Money is not the opposite of art.
It’s what gives you the time, space, and energy to keep making it.
You can love your craft and still send an invoice.
You can be passionate AND professional.
You can care deeply and charge accordingly.
“Real artists don’t care about money” sounds poetic.
Real artists who want a long career?
They absolutely do.
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When I first started as an artist, I really believed the myth that "real artists don't care about money." This mindset led me to charge far less than my work was worth, and honestly, it was a huge mistake. Underpricing not only hurt my finances but also damaged how clients perceived me and my art. They saw me as a low-risk option, which meant I wasn’t a priority to them. Feedback tended to be less thoughtful, and boundaries around my time and effort blurred. I used to think that loving my craft was enough, and that if I was truly passionate, the opportunities and payments would come naturally. But the reality is quite different. Charging too little made me feel undervalued and even scared to set boundaries, because I feared rejection or ridicule. It wasn’t until I began charging fair prices that I noticed a big shift—not just in my bank account, but also in my confidence and the quality of my relationships with clients. Being paid well doesn’t stifle creativity; it fuels it. Fair compensation gives you the financial stability and time needed to experiment, refine your skills, and focus on your art without constant stress about making ends meet. I realized money is not the enemy of art; it’s one of its essential supports. You can be passionate and professional simultaneously. For artists struggling with similar fears or holding back on charging what they're worth, I encourage you to rethink your value. Your creativity has power and deserves to be respected and rewarded. By setting clear pricing and boundaries, you attract clients who appreciate your work and your professionalism. Ultimately, valuing your art properly sustains your career and nurtures your passion for the long haul.
