Marisa, I really appreciated this podcast and the honest questions you put forward. I think its been almost four years since I did the Fish Bowl ecourse and I've had many eye-opening experiences about creating your work authentically online.

I have been the recipient of the "pick your brainers" and truthfully its not an approach that I think is fair to the person who has invested hours in learning and development. On the flip side I've had experiences of working with coaches who charge high fees and some who in my opinion charge too little. Both online and in-person I also find myself questioning the approaches of those who I have entrusted my learning to and weighing it against my own ethical standpoints.

Having had positive experiences and some that have created absolute chaos in my work, I have come to a place of trusting that as you said, what I need to know will come to me in perfect timing in the highest and best way. Being a teacher myself, I know that ultimately teaching is a sacred thing and doing it for the number of social networking followers or to offer what feels like over priced packages for information doesn't sit well with me.

I think that as you said, the fast pace of the internet creates the illusion that any big thing can happen in a flash but ultimately, to create something solid and sustainable AND that truly gives value, evolves over time. Personally, I find myself most inspired by teachers who are aligned with that and I find that it shows in what they give, how they give it and their expectations of what they will receive in return.

XO Ava

I'm on my iPad and cannot access the podcasts. What do I need to do?

I think it's like everything else in our lives... it's about trust. Whether it's because someone is famous or has a large audience or presents himself in a professional manner, in the end you are willing to pay because you trust that he is actually offering you value. Obviously we all have different skills and knowledge in different arenas and I think it can always be potentially valuable to someone out there. If you think about new bloggers, feeling like it's all been done before. But a tutorial on the same thing, might be easier for someone who never got it with existing tutorials. Just as there are a million music teachers or weaving teachers... they might essentially be teaching the same basic skills, but they probably have a style that attracts different people.

Now, obviously there are those who might be peddling without much experience... and that is where the trust part comes in. I totally understand there is an integrity thing when it comes to charging for your knowledge - that you are qualified. But to look at it literally, doesn't it just mean you can charge when someone will pay? Because it means it is of value to someone? Is that too black and white? Is that too much of marketing talk - "whatever the market will bear" kind of thing!

I wonder if in the creative field, sometimes we get a bit wrapped up in the significance, meaning, etc... but if you look at a regular 'ole job / everyone should be paid for their time, even if it's just emptying garbage cans or cleaning toilets or literally just being present some place. Too straightforward view of a complicated topic?

Marketers often say to give something for free to attract an audience... and I think it goes back to the trust thing. Providing samples to show that you know your thing. Obviously free can be an actual product or some knowledge or whatever... it's whatever helps your audience slowly learn to know you and trust you! If you think about it, artists showing their work are doing the same thing / free looking! But if you want it, buy it. Don't you think?

About getting help, I totally understand the not asking for help because you don't want to bother them. I think the hard part is to know when you are bothering someone or not. Some people would love to share their knowledge and help out. Perhaps when it comes to the internet we have to remember common etiquette... do you run into someone's shop and ask them how they make their products from a to z?

In regards to support on the internet... I think there is a saturation point where it's a lot more difficult to get support or I should say, comments in general. Everything has moved to social media and usually we don't bother to comment unless it's really something more than the ordinary or same 'ole. Maybe people are just busier these days? And the like or heart, doesn't really mean much. It's support, but not that real kind, if that makes sense? I don't think people should look towards the internet to replace the support of real friends and peers, you know?

Yes, the internet offers a lot of free knowledge. It can help a lot. But if I want to get know a topic deeper, I prefer to read a book or two about the topic.

I would pay for someones knowledge, but sometimes it feels like, a lot of people on the internet iare offering e-courses and e-books that "will transform my life upside down and I will be happily ever after". I shrink away form these offerings. If the persom appears to be real and authentic, I am much more willing to listen to them (and then buy their e-book or take one of their e-courses). So, yes, this is also about trust.

Hi Rosann, for now, with this audio player you can only play the podcast through your computer. I am working on adding a link to the post so you can download it.

Is the podcast on iTunes, Marisa, I cannot find it. Thank you.

Hi Lucy! Not on ITunes yet, but you are reminding me to look into that option as well. Will keep you posted!

Loving reading your thoughts on this so far, everyone. Thank you for taking the time to share!

'ultimately, to create something solid and sustainable AND that truly gives value, evolves over time. Personally, I find myself most inspired by teachers who are aligned with that and I find that it shows in what they give, how they give it and their expectations of what they will receive in return' I love this Ava. so true.

You bring up a really interesting point about sharing our art online. I have a discussions with artists about how the internet and especially Pinterest, right now may be changing the way customers collect art. Do they really need to buy it? and own it? or does pinning it give them the same effect? Those of who love to collect original art, no that there is no comparison but if that doesn't matter to you as a customer, pinning it might be enough?
Also I agree with you about how online support is moving to likes and hearts :-)

I just added instructions on how to download the MP3 directly from the audio player. Hope this helps and gives you more flexibility for listening!