Support Has Levels


Everybody says they support you… until it’s time to actually support you.


That’s when things get quiet.


People will clap for your ambition.

They’ll tell others how talented you are.

They’ll repost your content.

They’ll call you “inspiring.”

They’ll ask for free advice from you.

They’ll even introduce you to people.


But when it comes time to spend $20, $30, or $50 on something you created?


Suddenly:

“I’ll get it later.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“I’m going through a lot right now.”

“I haven’t had the time.”

And the killer one for me “ Is this one FREE!”

Interesting.


Because support has levels.


Advice is free.  

Connections are effort.  

Purchasing is belief.


And people spend money on what they truly value. Period.


That truth makes people uncomfortable because it forces us to stop hiding behind empty encouragement.


A person can tell you they believe in your dream for years…

…but if they’ve never invested a dollar into what you do, at some point you have to ask yourself whether they believe in your mission — or just enjoy proximity to your ambition.


Now before people get emotional reading this, let’s be clear:

Not everybody can afford to support financially.


That’s real.


But many people who say they “can’t afford” your book, product, service, or event somehow:

- upgrade their phones

- eat out weekly

- buy liquor

- pay for subscriptions they barely use

- spend hours scrolling social media

- support celebrities they’ll never meet


The issue usually isn’t money.


It’s priority.


That’s the part most entrepreneurs, artists, authors, and creators struggle to accept.


People will consume your free content for years while avoiding your paid products because free support feels emotionally safe. Purchasing creates accountability. It says:

“I value this enough to exchange my resources for it.”


That changes the relationship.


And honestly?

Sometimes strangers support you faster than people closest to you.


Why?


Because familiarity often breeds silent disrespect.


The people who watched you struggle have a hard time adjusting to the idea that what came from you now has value. They still see the old version of you. The broke version. The struggling version. The “trying something again” version.


Meanwhile strangers only see the finished product.


That’s why a random person online might buy your book in 5 minutes while someone who has known you 15 years still says:

“I’m gonna check it out.”


Creators need to stop measuring support by compliments and start measuring it by action.


Because applause doesn’t build businesses.

Engagement doesn’t always create income.

Motivational comments don’t pay printing costs, marketing bills, inventory expenses, or platform fees.


Real support requires movement.


Sometimes support is:

- buying the product

- sharing the link

- introducing opportunities

- opening doors

- recommending your work

- placing your books in schools

- getting your name into libraries

- connecting you with decision-makers


Support is action, not adjectives.


And if you are a creator reading this:

Don’t become bitter.


Just become aware.


Not everybody assigned to your life is assigned to your success.


Some people are spectators.

Some are consumers.

Some are critics.

Some are hidden competitors.

And a small few?

Those are the real supporters.


Protect them.

Value them.

Never take them for granted.


Because those people are rare.


And to the people who genuinely support creators:

Never underestimate what your purchase means.


Sometimes buying one book, one ticket, one product, or one service does more than help financially.


It helps emotionally.


It tells the creator:

“Keep going.”

“I see your effort.”

“What you’re building matters.”


In a world full of spectators, that kind of belief is powerful.


— Kerwin Boxill


Author of The Discipline of Emotion  

Available at: Kerwin Boxill Author Store

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