… when you freely share your work with the world using Creative Commons, you have to see your content as an engine that powers some other way of making money. In some cases, it fuels sales of your physical books. In others, it encourages people to come to your live shows, or to hire you to provide customized services to them. Your content produces value for others right away, but the value to you is unpredictable in timing and effect.

It’s like planting a seed that you aren’t sure will grow. If it does blossom, it can be a beautiful thing, resulting in new and unexpected collaborations, opportunities, and transformations to your original work.

Like any big change, it comes with a risk. You close the door to immediate payment for your content, but you open a larger door to the world.

Sarah Hinchliff Pearson.