"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." ~Lou Holtz, former football coach.
I've never considered myself a salesman. Therefore, I'm not a good salesman. I've never thought of myself as a marketer, therefore I've struggled with the marketing of my paintings. The single most important thing I've done as a marketer of my art is change my attitude!
I've heard artists say, over and over, that they don't market themselves well, or they hate it because it takes away from their creative time, or that they simply don't apply themselves. It pleases me to hear that this little blog has helped some people with those issues!
Everything we do in life depends on our ability, our motivation, and our attitude. There are plenty of books, classes, seminars, videos, and CD's that can tell you how to market anything. But do they motivate you? That depends on your attitude. If you want to be motivated and inspired, then you will be. I fall asleep thinking about selling my art. I wake up wanting to find new ideas. I actually watch commercials and look at ads now. I try to discover what works.
The ideas and techniques you learn can motivate you if you have the right attitude. Trying out new things is fun and exciting if you have the right attitude. Learning to market your art to the world can be a part of your creative process with the right attitude.
I've had to make adjustments to my attitude over the years. I discovered a long time ago that the world would not beat a path to my door just because I paint nice pictures. I've had to beat the path from my door to the world. I've had to start thinking of myself as a marketer. I've allowed the marketing to become part of my creative process.
Lately, I've started to change my mind about being a salesman. That has been the hardest part, and I'm still not there! I have to figure out what's holding me back. My friend Brandon put it best when he said he didn't want to pester people because then they wouldn't like him. That's the kind of attitude and fear I have to conquer.
I have a very motivated, positive attitude. My goal is to be rich and famous before I die. Everything I do with my art is aimed at that goal, while still being true to myself. So I'll end with this quote: "When you reach for the stars, you may not quite get one, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either." ~Leo Burnett
Leo Burnett was an advertising executive!
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