The Lazy Artist's Way to Wealth
Simple, step-by-step business guide for creative people.
Trust, me making money is a creative process.
It’s a game with well-defined rules and other players (competition). Business is not just spreadsheets and suits. Business is much more suited for you and me, than for some non-creative square. Entrepreneurial spirit is a creative spirit. Entrepreneur is an artist in nature. The only difference is the medium: instead of canvas or clay, they work with ideas, systems, and people.
Let’s break down this business game into small steps that feel natural to you. I understand that you’re intuitive and flow-loving creative.
So, let’s begin with the most important step.
1. Value
Everything starts with value. Value is the core of your business. Every business decision stems from value. And, of course, there’re people who’ll appreciate that value and others who won’t. That’s fine. You want to repel the wrong people and to magnetically attract the right ones. Those are your people. This is your target audience.
So, ask before uncovering those people, ask:
Who is my ideal customer?
What my ideal customer wants?
Where my ideal customer hangs out?
Now, you can focus on generating value for your target audience. More about that in a minute.
Before you do anything, ask yourself: What am I really offering?
Value is not your product. Value is the transformation your audience receives from engaging with your work. It’s the feeling they get, the problem you solve, the joy you bring.
Think like an artist here:
A painting might offer inspiration, beauty, depth.
A logo design might offer clarity, identity, confidence.
A music track might offer motivation, escape, emotion, fun.
Look, if you’re struggling to define your value, answer this:
What change does my work bring to someone’s world?
Why do people really, deep-down want what I create?
What do people thank me for after seeing my work?
You see, business without value can’t exist. But with value, you build meaning… and meaning is what makes a business magnetic. Why? People can’t function without meaning.
Now, that we defined value, we can start crafting an…
2. Offer
You see, for people like you and me, offer is infused with our greatest asset: creativity.
At the highest level of analysis, creativity is the value. In a world of copy-paste solutions, your originality is rare currency. It’s the spark that transforms ordinary into extraordinary. Creativity makes your offer feel alive, memorable, and personal. People don’t just buy a product. They buy a story, a perspective, a one of a kind experience. Your creativity is what turns a simple solution into something brand new. That’s the essence of creativity—building something interesting and new from basic, well-known ingredients.
And that spirit is what keeps people coming back for more.
Creativity isn’t a bonus. It’s the beating heart of your business, just like it’s the beating heart of your personality. When you lead with creativity, you’re inventing new ways to feel, connect, or see the world. And that’s a huge value for the world. And when you package that creativity into something people can hold, use, or engage with, you’ve got a business that doesn’t just make money—it changes the world. I don’t know about you, but here, Apple comes to mind.
Also, your offer is the vessel that delivers the value.
Once you know your more specific value (cool graphics, illustration, logo design, branding, art…), you shape it into something people can’t refuse. Think of your offer like a package—a beautiful, inviting box that makes your value feel tangible and irresistible. Idea is to dimensionalize your value, so people can imagine it, feel it, sense it, smell it…
Good offers do three things:
Clarify what’s being given.
Simplify the decision-making process.
Amplify the perceived value.
For example:
Instead of "I do illustrations," your offer could be "Custom hand-drawn portraits that make unforgettable gifts."
Instead of "I design websites," say "A beautifully branded website that helps creative businesses convert more clients."
Don't overcomplicate it. Start with this formula:
I help [specific person] get [specific result] through [your process].
Artists are often scared of “selling” because it feels like begging. But an offer is a gift for the people who really need it.
After you craft an offer, it’s time to understand…
3. Marketing
I'm gonna share a secret with you. Marketing is the bridge from soul (of your business and your personality) to profit. Here’s where the real magic happens. And yes—it’s 100% creative.
Marketing is how your work reaches people. It’s made of 3 major elements:
Branding
Content creation
Direct marketing and sales
Remember this: all three elements lead toward profit.
Well, you don’t need a huge marketing budget to build a creative business that works. But if you don’t have a brand, content, and some way to make an offer (direct marketing and sales), you’re basically whispering in a noisy room. A strong brand is your megaphone. It’s how people remember you, trust you, and buy from you again and again.
Stay with me. This gets interesting. Let’s start with…
4. Branding
Branding is the soul of your creative business. It’s the story people tell about you when you’re not in the room. Your vibe. Your tone. Your visual language. It makes people know, like, and respect you. A good brand builds trust. And trust leads to more profit.
Ask:
What do I stand for?
What do I not stand for?
How do I want people to think and feel when they experience my work?
Branding is the energy behind your business. Without it, everything else feels… well, empty.
First, you should know your target audience. So, when you try to speak to everyone, no one hears you. Simple. Pick your ideal customer or avatar. Picture them vividly. What do they care about? What are they struggling with? What would make them feel seen, heard, and understood?
Here, authority is not enough. Empathy is equally important. Once you know that, you stop sounding like everyone else, and you start sounding like a one of a kind entity. You show up with power which comes from focus.
Your message becomes a magnet. People recognize themselves in your story. That’s how trust starts. And this is why you should...
Get clear on your message. Your brand should say one thing, really well. Thousands of times. Confused people don’t buy. Clarity is what sells. So, if your message is all over the place, people pass it. The clearer your message, the more good people feel related to your brand. And this builds lasting connection.
Think of your brand as one strong sentence people remember you by.
Also, try to be consistent.
Repetition isn’t boring. Consistency is what defines branding process. The more people see, hear, and feel the same vibe from you, the more they trust you. Use the same colors, tone, graphics. Be the (almost) same everywhere: your website, your socials, your emails.
When you're consistent, you're familiar. And people act on what they recognize.
Look, facts tell and feelings sell. So, make powerful experiences for your people.
What do you want people to experience when they land on your page or hear your name? Safe? Inspired? Empowered? Curious? That special experience is the brand. Powerful, strong experiences beat weak ones.
Your vibe is your brand’s secret sauce. Don’t be afraid to show some personality.
And lastly, be honest human being. Reason why? Because people buy from people, not perfect abstractions, businesses... You don’t need to be the loudest. Or the slickest. You just need to be real. Show your face. Share your journey. Talk like a human. When people connect with you, they stick around for the long game.
And that’s what a brand really is—people choosing you over others. Brand makes you stand out in the crowd. Then, it attracts the right people.
Just look at Michael Jordan. Nike didn’t just sell sneakers. They sold experience of him. The chance to be more like MJ. His story, his struggle, his mindset, his wins and losses. People didn’t just want the shoes, well, they wanted to feel like him. That honest connection between a real human and a brand? It created a multi-billion-dollar movement. Not because it was perfect, but because it was personal.
You don’t need fancy tools or a 50-page brand guide to get started. You need:
clarity
connection
consistency
Start there. Build brick by brick. Show up again tomorrow.
Now little bit about your personal brand. Well, we all have a personal brand. It’s how you show up online or offline. It's how you position yourself in people's minds. Some people build it intentionally. Others let it build itself. They’re like a leaf on the wind. I say, most of us are letting others define it. That's a mistake.
And here’s the thing...
Your personal brand is already working for (or against) you. So why not shape it? Why not be creative with it? We're all actors on this stage called life. Building it doesn't mean being disingenuous. It's a skill of presenting yourself in the best light possible to your target audience. Because, like we said, you're not the best choice for every person out there. But there're lots of people that would love to hear what you have to say.
We hear “personal brand” and instantly think: business and money-making...
But your personal brand isn’t just about landing clients or building an audience. It’s about how you present yourself in the world and the ripple effect that it creates.
The truth is, it’s less about the profit and more about the power. Because money flows where power grows. I know that personal power is a general idea, so let's brake it down into smaller chunks:
Confidence
Clarity
Reputation
Let’s start with…
Confidence:
This is the confidence in how you show up in the world. It's a matter of controlling your own destiny and not letting others define you.
More about that later.
Personal branding gives you a sense of direction. This process is beautiful and it teaches us to ask powerful questions. Also, keep in mind that personal branding is a skill. Confidence comes from competence. As you become better at this, you attach new skills onto personal branding. You start learning in an accelerated way. Sense of progress is what makes you feel good. Overcoming obstacles through learning.
Next one is one of my favorite. It's...
Clarity:
Well, when you work on your personal brand, you’re forced to define what matters to you:
Your values.
Your vision.
Your vibe.
To build a great personal brand, you must understand who you are. You strive to define your purpose in life. You uncover your personality. This kind of laser-focused self-awareness doesn’t just help your audience—it helps you make better choices, faster and with more confidence. It's a virtuous circle. Clarity brings even more clarity!
Beware what I'm gonna reveal to you next. Personal brand process makes you a creator of your own...
Reputation:
Look, your reputation is totally in your hands. I hate when others try to box me in. The only way random people can define us, is when we let them. You see, reputation is an important asset and it's hard to build it up. Sadly, it's much easier to drag it into the mud. Personal branding focuses your attention on positives. It makes you a creator. A powerful creator of your destiny!
Trust me, people are Googling you. Checking you out on social platforms. Scanning your LinkedIn.
If you don’t tell your story, others will fill in the blanks. A personal brand helps you set the narrative before someone else does.
So yeah, your personal brand might bring in more leads. But more than that, it brings you into alignment, flow, and influence. You don’t need a huge audience. You need clarity, consistency, and courage to own your story. And this is where you plant the seed of your future, massive success!
Look now, this is easy.
Personal branding isn’t about creating a fake persona or acting like someone you’re not. It’s about turning up the volume on your real personality, values, and voice. And when you see people respond to that—when your presence starts creating a real impact—it fuels even more confidence. You start walking into rooms, calls, or pitches with that quiet “I’ve got this” energy.
Step in into virtuous circle of success. And you can start today!
You don’t have to be famous. You don’t need a logo. You do need clarity, consistency, and a little courage. Because whether you like it or not, you already have a brand. So, let’s make it work for you.
Now that we have a foundation of your creative business, we can expand on…
5. Content Creation
Content is how you show up in the online arena . It’s how you give value, teach, entertain, or inspire—before someone buys from you. Great content builds relationships. Think of it as your creative playground.
Examples:
Short videos showing your process.
Carousel posts teaching what you’ve learned.
Tweets with micro-truths from your journey.
Blog posts that go deep.
You don’t need to go viral—you need to be valuable.
Speak clearly. Share generously. And always point back to your offer.
Content creation is how your audience gets to experience your value before they ever spend a cent. It's your open gallery, your creative process, your sketchbook in public. Each post, video, or message is a little taste of your creativity. And that’s why your content should never feel forced or fake. It should feel like a natural extension of your energy, your worldview, your art.
If your brand is the soul of your business, content is the voice.
It speaks. It connects. It invites.
Good content is about sharing value in an entertaining and engaging way. People don’t need another guru or another copy-paste brand shouting at them. They crave truth, they want realness.
So, show the behind-the-scenes. Share the lessons you’ve learned (even the painful ones). Let them in on your thinking, your emotional turmoil, your daily actions, your transformation. Feel free to show some uncertainty. We all feel it. Especially, we, the creative ones.
That’s how trust is built. And trust is what turns followers into fans, fans into buyers, and buyers into loyal community. You don’t need a content calendar packed with fluff. You need a rhythm that’s honest and rooted in service.
And remember—everything is content when you start paying attention. That random thought you had in the shower? That’s a hook. That DM someone sent you with a great question? That’s a post’s theme.
The key is to turn your everyday experiences, your creativity, and your values into stories people care about. Give value freely. Connect often. And always, always remind people that you’re here to help—and here to stay.
This is how you open the doors for…
6. Direct Marketing and Sales
Where are the customers?
This is the question. There are two ways you can use for money-making:
Direct marketing
Sales
Those should work together, interchangeably. So, we’ll talk about them in tandem.
And no, most people don’t magically go viral, attract hordes of people, have a waiting list, or any kind of list... If you're starting from zero, like I did... then, read on, because you can design this part of your work to give you desired results. So let’s break it down.
Here are 3 ways entrepreneurs actually get their first paying customers. No fluff, no unicorn dust, just proven, battle-tested, practical moves.
Start with your inner circle:
Your first customers are often already in your world. Old clients, family members, friends... Almost every person has more than 1000 people in their social circle. And no, we're not talking about the most close family and friends. The most important people are the so-called weak ties. Those are the ones that can help you the most. I think I've read this in Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (Fine book, by the way...).
Your goal is to take massive amount of action. Stir the boat. Be brave to show yourself. Be proud of your offer. Let people talk.
Truth is this: finding clients (like most things in life) is the numbers game. You want to make yourself lucky, to open as much doors as possible. So, you're the one with a power to open new opportunities. There's no need to not believe in yourself.
One more thing.
Send a personal, friendly, message. Not pushy. Just plain honesty. Don’t overthink it. Explain what you’re offering and how it can help. Maybe they have someone in need of your assistance. People trust people they know and the fastest “yes” often comes from your own contacts.
Go where your people already hang out:
Really, there's no need to reinvent the wheel. Your future customers are already somewhere—online forums, LinkedIn, Instagram, specific Facebook groups, local events. They can be online or offline. Actually, there is no difference between the two. Your goal should be to focus on finding your people in the most natural and easy way possible.
So, jump in and give value first. Answer questions, share insights, show you know your stuff. LinkedIn thought me this: if you want more engagement, you must be engaging and engage with people. It's that simple. Idea is to communicate daily, to understand the people and the territory you're trying to inhabit. Well, understanding leads to good market positioning.
After you do this, then you can make your offer naturally. People buy from those who show up consistently and help.
And lastly...
Offer something irresistible:
Well, people are more likely to take a chance if there’s little to no risk. Your job? Make the offer so good, so clear so beneficial, and so results-driven that they’d feel silly saying no.
To craft what Alex Hormozi calls a Grand Slam Offer, make sure you nail these four parts:
A clear dream outcome they really want (not vague results—tangible wins)
A fast timeline to get it (how quickly can they get a win?)
A no-brainer price (either low enough, or backed by enough value)
A strong guarantee (money-back, results-based, or pay-later)
Look, you’re not devaluing your work here. You’re building momentum. And momentum is a powerful force of nature. Here, your first goal is to showcase proof: that your offer solves a real problem, that people will pay for it, and that you can deliver on your promise.
That’s when the real growth kicks in!
The most important thing is to ask. Lots of people. Rejection is only a feedback. Millions in the bank are the feedback. Zero dollars in the bank is feedback. Everything is fine. Whatever your results... the important thing is that you're in the game. You're trying. You're improving, brand builder.
The biggest mistake? Waiting to feel ready. Clarity comes from action. Customers come from conversations.
I love direct marketing.
This is the quiet weapon most creatives skip.
Direct marketing means talking directly to people who would love your work. It could be:
DMs
Emails
Comment replies
Personalized reach-outs
It's not spam. It's care.
It's you saying: “Hey, I think this could really help you.”
The more specific you are, the more effective you’ll be. This is how you get early clients, build referrals, and grow sustainably.
One more thing.
Sales is not manipulation—it’s guidance.
You’re simply helping someone make a decision that’s good for them. Sales is the moment of connection where value meets money.
Artists often avoid sales because they associate it with pressure. But think about it: when you recommend a movie you love to a friend, you’re “selling” it. With joy.
Same energy here:
Ask great questions.
Listen deeply.
Explain clearly.
Show the path.
Make it easy to say “yes.”
Sales isn't where the art ends—it's where the art lands.
Finally, all roads lead toward profit
Profit is proof of alignment.
When you:
Know your value,
Craft a clear offer,
Build a magnetic brand,
Share through content,
Reach out with care, and
Close with confidence...
...you earn money. Consistently.
And money, for a creative person, means freedom.
Freedom to experiment, to rest, to invest in yourself. Profit is not dirty. It’s sacred. It’s energy flowing in your direction—because you created something that matters.