How To Turn Passion Into A Paycheck - Real World Tips.

Caesar Rondina, Author | Public Speaker
12 minutes ago
5 min read

Blog Promo - Turn A Passion Into A Paycheck

INTRODUCTION:

Greetings. It is my pleasure to post a guest blog by Cody McBride this week. I'm sure you will find it fascinating.

You don’t need another "10 steps to success" listicle or a lecture about why you should “just start.” If you’re a creative—whether that means painting, writing, making beats, shooting film, or something else—you’ve probably already started. You’ve already put in hours. You’ve already created stuff that mattered to you. What you’re really trying to figure out is how to get noticed, get respected, and get paid for it without selling your soul in the process. That’s not about algorithms or overnight virality. It’s about steady visibility, smart positioning, and creating momentum on your own terms. Here are some angles you might not have thought about—but probably should.

LET PEOPLE INTO THE PROCESS, NOT JUST THE PRODUCT:

People love polished work, but they remember the messy middle. If you only show off the final thing—the finished track, the perfect painting, the pristine short film—you’re missing a huge opportunity. Most folks want to feel connected to your journey, not just impressed by the destination. Document the process, the struggle, the pivot—whatever shows that you're human and working at it. That’s what creates fans, not just followers.

SAY YES TO SMALLER PLATFORMS THAT SAY YES TO YOU:

Everyone wants to get featured in the biggest publications or land the biggest podcast interview, but the truth is that the smaller, niche spaces can do more for you. These are the places where people actually pay attention. Say yes to the low-key zines, the tiny newsletters, the under-the-radar interview shows—especially if they speak to your kind of people. Momentum builds when someone cares enough actually to engage, and you won’t always find that in the mainstream.

BE GOOGLEABLE (EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT FAMOUS YET):

You can’t control if someone stumbles across your work. However, you can control what they see if they actively seek it out. Having a simple website, consistent handles, and even a few SEO-friendly posts or tags makes it way easier for someone to find you again after they forget your name. This doesn’t mean becoming a slave to search engines—it just means giving yourself a shot at being found twice. Make it easy to be remembered.

UTILIZE SUPPORTIVE PLATFORMS:

Managing your creative work like a business doesn’t have to be overwhelming when you’ve got the right platform backing you up. Instead of juggling five different tools to get things done, an all-in-one business platform can streamline everything—from how you show up online to how you make sales. Whether you're building a sharp website, adding a shop to sell your products, or even crafting your logo, platforms like ZenBusiness offer comprehensive solutions and genuine support to help your work stand out.

COLLABORATE WITH PEOPLE WHO MATCH YOUR VIBE, NOT JUST YOUR STYLE:

Creative energy is contagious, but only when the chemistry is right. Don’t just collaborate with people because they’re hot right now or because they have a certain number of followers. Work with folks who challenge you, who bring a different flavor to the table, and who respect the craft as much as you do. When the vibe is honest, the output is better, and the audience can feel it. Real connections lead to real opportunities.

STOP WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED (CURATE YOUR OWN STAGE):

The old-school idea of being “discovered” is a trap. Nobody is coming to magically find you while you sit quietly making brilliant work in the shadows. You need to put your work where people can experience it. That might mean hosting your own pop-up show, launching your own web series, publishing your own zine, or creating your own online gallery space. Create your own visibility instead of waiting for permission to be seen.

TEACH A LITTLE:

When you give away bits of what you know, you don’t lose value—you build trust. If you’ve been making for a while, you likely have insights that others could benefit from. Sharing that—through a thread, a video, or a simple tip—shows that you’re not just talented but generous and thoughtful. That kind of energy comes back around. People support people who give without keeping score.

PUT YOUR WORK IN ROOMS WHERE PEOPLE PAY FOR WORK:

There’s a big difference between exposure and opportunity. If you’re only sharing your work in places where nobody’s buying, you’ll burn out fast. Get in the habit of putting your work where money is already moving—art fairs, licensing platforms, grant networks, client pitches, or curated marketplaces. You’re not begging to be paid; you’re placing your work in a culture where payment is a standard expectation—that shift in setting changes how your work is perceived.

IN CLOSING:

Building a creative life you can actually live off of isn’t about becoming famous—it’s about becoming undeniable. Not overnight, but over time. Not by being everywhere, but by being in the right places with the right people. Keep creating, keep showing up, and keep learning how to share your voice in ways that feel real. Visibility isn’t just about being seen—it’s about being remembered for the right reasons.

Visit Caesar Rondina to discover captivating stories and insightful self-help books and explore a world of love, mystery, and crime that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Cody McBride

I hope you enjoyed this week's blog post. Please subscribe to my blog, YouTube channel, or Vimeo Channel, and follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Truth Social, and "X" (Formerly Twitter).

Please feel free to leave a comment. If you would like me to discuss a topic, please email me at crondina@caesarrondinaauthor.com. As always, I accept guest blog posts. If you wish to write about a topic, email your finished draft in Word format to crondina@caesarrondinaauthor.com. I will review it and get back to you. Thank you.