What did ancient poets, poets, painters, calligraphers, essayists and novelists earn if they were not officials?

Famous people, there will be dignitaries, wealthy businessmen and even royalty to pay them to attend banquets, poetry parties, or pay them to write poems, paintings, eulogies, etc., and their income is still considerable.

If you are not famous or have a bad temper, you can only help others write documents, couplets, letters, or draw pictures and sell them yourself. Occasionally, some admirers help them, but usually their income is very low or even poor.