The Profitability Framework: A Creative’s Crash Course in Making Your Work Actually Pay Off
Let’s be real, just finishing your work is hard enough. Add the pressure of “making it profitable,” and suddenly you’re spiraling between Canva mood boards and Googling “how much should I charge for this?”
Good news! There’s a simple tool from the business world that can actually help you make sense of the money side without losing your creative soul. It’s called the profitability framework, and it breaks down profit into a few straightforward buckets so you can stop guessing and start making informed choices.
Let’s unpack it.
Step 1: Profit = Revenue – Costs
Yep, the whole money-making game boils down to this:
If revenue > costs, you’re making money.
If costs > revenue, you’re bleeding money.
For a lot of people, that’s actually so simple that it’s kind of a huge revelation. This basic point should give you clarity. And remember, you can’t fix what you don’t measure.
Step 2: Break Revenue Into Two Levers
Revenue = Price per Unit × Number of Units Sold
That’s it. Just two levers. Ask yourself:
Am I charging enough?
Am I selling enough?
If you’re undercharging, no amount of hustle will fix the math. If you’re not selling enough, no “perfect price” will save you either.
Step 3: Break Costs Into Two Buckets
Costs = Fixed Costs + Variable Costs
Fixed costs = stuff you pay no matter how much you sell (website, studio rent, software subscriptions).
Variable costs = expenses that go up as you produce more (materials, printing, packaging, shipping).
This step is gold because it shows you where your money is actually leaking.
Step 4: Break Variable Costs Down Further
Variable costs = Cost per Unit × Units Produced
Here’s where you ask:
Am I spending too much to create each unit?
Do my materials, time, or processes scale as I grow?
If your “cost per unit” is too close to your “price per unit,” you’re basically working for free. That’s unsustainable for a business, or you trying to stay afloat by selling your works.
Step 5: Play Detective
Now that you’ve got the numbers, the real work begins. Ask yourself:
If I raise my price, will people still buy?
If I sell more units, can I handle the workload?
If I cut fixed costs, what am I giving up?
If I reduce variable costs, am I sacrificing quality?
Once you can clearly answer those questions, you’ve got your map. This is where strategy meets reality. What you do next is up to you.
Why This Matters for You as a Creative
The blunt truth is that you can’t finish or keep working on your projects if you’re broke and burned out. It’s not selling out to be profitable. You need creating a runway for your art to keep existing.
When you understand your numbers, you take the power back. Suddenly, you’re not just a “struggling creative.” You’re a business owner making intentional choices. That’s how you create both freedom and longevity.
Quick Takeaways
Profit is simple math: revenue – costs.
Revenue = price × units.
Costs = fixed + variable.
Variable = cost per unit × units produced.
Once you see the breakdown, you know exactly where to focus.
Your Next Step
Don’t overthink it. Pick one of your projects, do the breakdown, and see what shakes out. The clarity alone will be worth it.
And if you want someone to walk you through it, without spreadsheets-induced tears, I’ve got you. Book a free 30 min sample coaching session with me here: finishit.art/work-with-me.
