Recently Sylvester Stallone was quoted about his Rocky movies.<\/p>\n
And, specifically, how he has zero ownership in them.<\/p>\n
Doesn’t get even a single percentage of its ticket, merchandise, or other sales.<\/p>\n
This, even though he created the characters, wrote and directed almost all the Rocky movie scripts, and was responsible for the franchise and its two Creed spin-off\u2019s existing at all, and the nearly $2 billion in gross profits the movies have amassed over nearly 50 years.<\/p>\n
As he put it:<\/p>\n
“Who knew Rocky would go on for another 45 years?\u201d Stallone asked rhetorically. \u201cI\u2019ve never used one [line of dialogue] from anyone else \u2014 and the irony is that I don\u2019t own any of it. The people who have done literally nothing, control it.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
I don\u2019t want to say it\u2019s exactly the same as freelance copywriting.<\/p>\n
The typical copywriter is nowhere near as important to their client\u2019s businesses as Stallone was to the Rocky franchise. But I do wonder if, for example, copywriters like the guy who wrote that famous 17-year control for The Wall Street Journal secured royalties for himself or not\u2026 and if not, if he ever felt the way Stallone does about Rocky.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve said it before, I\u2019ll keep saying it:<\/p>\n
Copywriters with genuine talent and skill should be their own clients.<\/p>\n
Or at least have some kind of asset they own, that they can grow, keep all the money from, and pour their hearts and talents into to give themselves and their families a lifestyle and security, instead of putting it all into their clients\u2019 businesses to give them and their families a lifestyle.<\/p>\n
Not saying not to do freelance work.<\/p>\n
Just saying to also work yourself into the client rotation.<\/p>\n
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