Performing for Profit — The Performer's Playbook to Turn Passion into Income

A guide for performers who are ready to get paid

Performing
for Profit

The performer's playbook to turn your passion into real income — whether you're just starting out, making a comeback, or ready to stop being a starving artist.

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Sound familiar?

You've got the talent.
Where's the paycheck?

You dream about performing but you're stuck teaching classes and burning out
You don't think you're "good enough" to charge real money for your art
You have no idea how to book gigs, build a brand, or find clients on your own
You've been told a million times that artists don't make money
You took time off from performing and you're not sure how to come back
You're performing but barely scraping by — working too hard for too little
You want to quit your day job but the leap feels impossible

Meet Merry

She went from burnt-out dance teacher to one of the most booked performers between Atlanta & NYC.

Merry started teaching dance at 13 just to pay for classes. She dreamed of Broadway but didn't think it was realistic — so she spent years in education, burned out, and watched her performing dreams collect dust.

Then she decided to take an audition she didn't think she was ready for. She got in. She started training like a professional. She left a job that drained her, invested in contortion training in Vegas, attended a summer intensive at Steps on Broadway — and everything changed.

In just 3 years, she built a freelance performing career that doubled her teaching income.

Now she performs at corporate events, live productions, and stages from Lexington, KY to New York City — as a dancer, aerialist, contortionist, and singer. This playbook is everything she learned along the way.

50+ Events & shows in 18 months

2x Her teaching income

3 Years to build

What's inside

5 parts. Zero fluff.
All actionable.

Part 1

Mindset

Rewrite the story you've been telling yourself about money and talent. Expand your money mindset, set real goals, and learn the two types of actions that move the needle every day.

Part 2

Leveling Up

Invest in yourself like a pro. Conquer imposter syndrome, build your social media presence, and start putting yourself out there — from community showcases to open calls for Broadway.

Part 3

Build Your Brand

Find your superpower, craft your demo reel, build a website, set up your online profiles, and get the materials that actually book you work.

Part 4

Financial Success

Build multiple income streams, learn to teach smarter (not harder), leverage your transferable skills, and get organized with your finances as a creative entrepreneur.

Part 5

The Work

Worksheets, reflection prompts, goal-setting frameworks, and a 6-month check-in to keep you moving. This isn't a book you read — it's a playbook you use.

Is this for you?

This playbook was written for 3 types of performers.

✨

The Aspiring Performer

You want this but you're not sure where to start. Maybe you got a BFA and took time off, or you've been teaching but haven't been on stage in years. You're ready now.

🔥

The Semi-Pro

You're performing and making a little money, but not enough to quit the day job. You've been on stage but you're tired of the same opportunities and not sure how to level up.

💪

The Starving Artist

You're doing the thing. You're struggling. You're putting yourself out there all the time and you need real strategies to make more money so you can stop burning out.

It took less than a year from the time I decided I wanted to get on stage again to making my first money as a professional performer. It could be even less for you.

— Merry Annette King