The Grueling Path To Success For Creative Entrepreneurs
In my previous article I discussed the double whammy for Creative Entrepreneurs. Not only do we need to hone our craft and artistry, but we also have to be business savvy. We have to find a way to convince others of the value in our art so they will pay us for it.
Not an easy feat.
I highly recommend each and every one of you take advantage of my CreativeLive course Building Your Authority Platform. In this course I give you step-by-step advice for building your following from the ground up.
Let me take you through the process:
- You are in charge of establishing your value. If you don’t know WHY you are different and WHAT you are adding to the lives of others, I have bad news for you—being “discovered” is so 1980. Back then agents we were paid to find new talent and tell others why they matter. Today there is so much talent out there that is now the artist’s responsibility to help others identify the best of the best. That is your job. Tell them why it’s you.
- Being a well-kept artistic secret doesn’t serve anyone, least of all you. Unless, of course, you wholeheartedly enjoy being broke. Make the decision to treat you creative pursuit like a business. Because it is, even if you don’t want to be a “businessperson.”
- Under no circumstances should you try to sell. To artists this feels like selling your soul. Instead, engage in a conversation with potential buyers and make it about THEM. This is the key to success in any business, even creative ones. Once you get this part down you will never have to sell again.
(FYI – The Creative Entrepreneur Rocket Launch will be going live very soon. If you are interested in learning about how to make a living without selling, send me an email and I’ll put you on the waiting list.)
- You must have a point of view. Again, with so much noise bombarding each of us every day, it is imperative you differentiate yourself. Shift your mindset from worrying about alienating potential clients to identifying actual buyers.
- Establish a clear authority building plan and stick with it. From blogging to video, to podcasting, or speaking and writing, there are a number of opportunities for you to get the word out. You need to find three methods that work for you. Do not try to be the master of all social media platforms. It doesn’t work and it takes too much time.
I hope this helps you understand that if you want to make your craft your career, you can’t get around the need to promote yourself.
The great news is the playing field is now completely level. Anyone can get to that next level by their own power. You need to be willing to learn and be okay with failing a few times.
And when something does fail, which it inevitably will, do not beat yourself up about it. Simply say, “Okay this doesn’t work. I will try the next idea.” An exploratory mindset is what made you a creative in the first place. So use it for the business side of things as well.
Please let me know how I can help you to reconcile this most difficult quest of them all—asking for money for something you love doing.
