Identity confusion

Somebody recently commented that they wanted to be an artist and not a salesperson. Unfortunately, in today's world, you have to be both, unless, of course, you are wealthy enough to hire somebody to sell for you. With that said, let's talk about why people might not want to be seen as a salesperson.

Some people think that being in sales is beneath them. What they are failing to recognize is that we are all salespeople. We might not make money from it, but we are selling ourselves, our beliefs, and who we are every day.

Some people think that it is a dishonest profession. It's true there are some professions where being in sales has such connotations; however, for the most part, it is as honorable a profession as any other. If, as a salesperson, you act with integrity and honesty, then that is who you are.

Some people believe they aren't cut out to be salespeople. I would argue that it is a mental block: they already know how to sell; they just don't want to.

But what does a salesperson do? They sell a product or a service that people either want or need. Nobody needs to buy art, so the artist is dealing with people who want what they have created. If the artist doesn't sell their work, they eventually have to stop being an artist, for they cannot afford to be one. The artist who sells fills an emotional vacuum for the buyer and gets money so that they can continue creating. Both sides win. The corollary is also true. When the artist fails to sell their art to someone who really wants it, both sides lose.

Now, here's what I want you to think about. You're the artist, and you've sold a piece to somebody who fell in love with it. You've made some money, and they have a piece of art. How long will the money you've just made last you? How long will that piece give the buyer pleasure? I guarantee you that you, the artist, will have spent the money long before they fall out of love with that piece.

#artsales