John Scalzi writes:
More to the point, coming to peace with the fact that writing is likely not to make you a lot of money means that you can realistically look at that money going forward, which will put you in a better financial position than someone who just blunders along assuming that any minute now people are going to start tossing money at them for their lovely, lovely writing. These people become bitter and intolerable soon enough. You don’t want to be one of them.
Go read the whole post. Replace writer with podcaster or new media producer and you’ll be all set.
People look at us and hear the big numbers ($100k/ month gross, etc.) and think we must be rich. Ha! We both still live in our same apartments and drive the same cars, wear the same clothes, etc.
Even with a small budget show like Ask A Ninja, there’s still massive amounts of overhead. Lawyers, agents, ad sales peeps, all take their hard earned money.
Don’t get me wrong. We’re doing fine, making upper middle class wages, we’re just being responsible. Paying off our credit cards, getting health insurance, and not buying anything until we can actually afford it.
And if you think you’re different than a lowly freelance writer, you’re a new media superstar, get over yourself.
Things change, especially in new media, and especially in Hollywood. Some will be lucky enough to make it their first job, some will make it a lucrative second job, and for some it will be a hobby. Just like how freelance writers have been living for the last 100 years with the rise of magazines.
Just please, don’t throw your money away trying to impress people. Keep your head down, make what you can, and save enough for a rainy day.
(via)
4 Comments
February 20, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Great post… my sentiment exactly.
Unlike you, though, I’ve actually changed my wardrobe!
It’s because I (a) am female, (b) hate getting photographed in the same clothes every time I go to a conference, and (c) since I quit my day job, I don’t wear suits any more 
Silliness aside, I’m really glad that I started my entertainment career with new media. It has allowed me to keep a level head financially instead of diving into financial difficulties and waiting tables like a regular actor. I just hope I can keep my head level when the dollars increase so that I don’t end up pulling an MC Hammer!
I’m happy you’re out of credit card debt, that’s something to be truly proud of… SUCKS that you had to pay over double of what you purchased 8 years ago!
Here’s to more of a bright future!
C.
February 21, 2008 at 8:23 am
Great post.
February 21, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Great post. Thanks for being so transparent.
May 13, 2009 at 4:06 am
[...] By John Scalzi. Via Kent Nichols. [...]