How likely would you be to utilize a paid GURPS GM, and what would you expect?

[Magic_Octopus]

I think two things must be separated in this discussion: running a game for your friends, and being a professional game master.

We all have fun with our friends, and expect not to pay for that. A successful game means that you all had fun.

But if you love running games so much that you would like to do it as a job? That is completely different. You won't run for friends, but paying customers. You will be in the entertainment/service industry. A successful game means that your customers are happy and will keep paying you, and your own fun is secondary.

Regarding prep: the only way to make it feasible in terms of income and time, you'd have to run in a world that you know inside and out, and you'd have to be very skilled with improvisation. At least that is what I suspect.

In any case, you have to start small, with one group, and maybe after a year of success, start running for another group in the same world, and build from that.

I suspect that in order to make a living out it, you'd have to get wealthy clients (including companies), and diversify into events (like organize a one-shot for a company retreat etc.)