to be able to tell a story. The story they tell is about you, the artist.

I’m not suggesting that the conversation be scripted. Conversation is an art, and as an artist you should make it part of your toolkit. I recommend Debra Fine’s, The Art of Small Talk. Her tips will give you the edge you need to invite prospects to become a customer. The added advantage is that these customers you’re creating a relationship with are more likely to buy from you again in

Most artists would rather cut off their right arm then engage in the entrepreneurial dance we call selling. For many, selling seems like a forced an uncomfortable means to an end. Remember, there is a connection between how you sell and how much you sell! If we reframe the selling process we can develop a sales cycle that fits our personality and isn’t offensive to the buyer. The sales cycle consists of the 3 C’s in the artist toolkit: confidence, conversation and community.

Confidence

Confidence is imperative for success. Are you willing to engage in practices that expose you as a person and as an artist and as a solopreneur? On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate your confidence level? It may be best to give yourself a score for each of the following categories and then take an average: Creative Vision; Technical Ability; Sales Skill and Marketing and Promotion. This is the baseline so you can measure your progress. Just think, if you were to increase your score by one in each category what would that look like? How would it manifest when you engage your ideal customer? Keep focused on the fact that you control your confidence level. It needs to be an internal process not something that spins like a weathervane in a windstorm. Become committed to yourself and your art. People are always amazed when you are not only the sales person but the creator of the art. They are in awe, so leave the fear behind; it’s usually the customer who is intimidated by your talent, soak up the good vibes and claim your work and your life as an artrepreneur.

Conversation

How can something as simple as conversation be an effective sales tool? When you come in contact with a potential customer we engage in a relationship ritual, courting. Potential customers want to know you. When they show your work to friends, family and colleagues they like to be able to tell a story. The story they tell is about you, the artist.

I’m not suggesting that the conversation be scripted. Conversation is an art, and as an artist you should make it part of your toolkit. I recommend Debra Fine’s, The Art of Small Talk. Her tips will give you the edge you need to invite prospects to become a customer. The added advantage is that these customers you’re creating a relationship with are more likely to buy from you again in t

ommunity.

Confidence

Confidence is imperative for success. Are you willing to engage in practices that expose you as a person and as an artist and as a solopreneur? On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate your confidence level? It may be best to give yourself a score for each of the following categories and then take an average: Creative Vision; Technical Ability; Sales Skill and Marketing and Promotion. This is the baseline so you can measure your progress. Just think, if you were to increase your score by one in each category what would that look like? How would it manifest when you engage your ideal customer? Keep focused on the fact that you control your confidence level. It needs to be an internal process not something that spins like a weathervane in a windstorm. Become committed to yourself and your art. People are always amazed when you are not only the sales person but the creator of the art. They are in awe, so leave the fear behind; it’s usually the customer who is intimidated by your talent, soak up the good vibes and claim your work and your life as an artrepreneur.

Conversation

How can something as simple as conversation be an effective sales tool? When you come in contact with a potential customer we engage in a relationship ritual, courting. Potential customers want to know you. When they show your work to friends, family and colleagues they like to be able to tell a story. The story they tell is about you, the artist.

I’m not suggesting that the conversation be scripted. Conversation is an art, and as an artist you should make it part of your toolkit. I recommend Debra Fine’s, The Art of Small Talk. Her tips will give you the edge you need to invite prospects to become a customer. The added advantage is that these customers you’re creating a relationship with are more likely to buy from you again in

ess. Just think, if you were to increase your score by one in each category what would that look like? How would it manifest when you engage your ideal customer? Keep focused on the fact that you control your confidence level. It needs to be an internal process not something that spins like a weathervane in a windstorm. Become committed to yourself and your art. People are always amazed when you are not only the sales person but the creator of the art. They are in awe, so leave the fear behind; it’s usually the customer who is intimidated by your talent, soak up the good vibes and claim your work and your life as an artrepreneur.

Conversation

How can something as simple as conversation be an effective sales tool? When you come in contact with a potential customer we engage in a relationship ritual, courting. Potential customers want to know you. When they show your work to friends, family and colleagues they like to be able to tell a story. The story they tell is about you, the artist.

I’m not suggesting that the conversation be scripted. Conversation is an art, and as an artist you should make it part of your toolkit. I recommend Debra Fine’s, The Art of Small Talk. Her tips will give you the edge you need to invite prospects to become a customer. The added advantage is that these customers you’re creating a relationship with are more likely to buy from you again in

n awe, so leave the fear behind; it’s usually the customer who is intimidated by your talent, soak up the good vibes and claim your work and your life as an artrepreneur.

Conversation

How can something as simple as conversation be an effective sales tool? When you come in contact with a potential customer we engage in a relationship ritual, courting. Potential customers want to know you. When they show your work to friends, family and colleagues they like to be able to tell a story. The story they tell is about you, the artist.

I’m not suggesting that the conversation be scripted. Conversation is an art, and as an artist you should make it part of your toolkit. I recommend Debra Fine’s, The Art of Small Talk. Her tips will give you the edge you need to invite prospects to become a customer. The added advantage is that these customers you’re creating a relationship with are more likely to buy from you again in

to be able to tell a story. The story they tell is about you, the artist.

I’m not suggesting that the conversation be scripted. Conversation is an art, and as an artist you should make it part of your toolkit. I recommend Debra Fine’s, The Art of Small Talk. Her tips will give you the edge you need to invite prospects to become a customer. The added advantage is that these customers you’re creating a relationship with are more likely to buy from you again in the future. Think of your sales process and conversation as one ongoing cocktail party. It should be fun for you and them!

Community

Ever wonder why the airlines created club rooms and special lounges for loyal customers? These are the tenets of building community. Customers like to feel as if they are part of your inner circle, so make them feel this way as part of your sales cycle.

Honor your customers as part of your community with personalized invitations to openings and events. Have an annual function for customers only, it doesn’t have to be at the Ritz, invite them to your studio. Inviting them to your studio gives them an opportunity to connect more solidly with you, while being part of a private showing. Customers like to be invited to pass through the velvet ropes, like a VIP lounge.

Sales doesn’t have to be difficult or tedious. You can create a process that fits your personality and your market. You’re art gives people joy…let’s spread the joy!