In order to have the freedom to create, you must build a successful business. To build a successful business, you must build some sort of buzz story with your PR and promotion. I am not saying you have to take off your clothes to promote yourself or your work, but the naked truth is that you may have to go to extreme measures to get people to pay attention to you.

This is a weak area for many talented and creative people, yet what separates the haves (creative people with deals, money, fame) and the have-nots (starving artists struggling to get by) is simply the story you tell yourself. Embrace the fact that you have to publicize yourself. There are specific things you can do, many of which are free, to get the word yout, but you must take action. Every word – of – mouth promotion requires some action on your part.

Most creative heroines are overly protective of their ideas. Sure, you should take precautions to keep your ideas from being stolen, but if people are going to come forward to help you, you must at least give them an inkling of what you have got brewing. They may have the missing ingredients to make it a success. I find that very few people possess the ability, resources, desire or malice to steal your ideas. On the flip side, there are a great many people who know something, or someone, who can help further your idea and career.

Just Do It 

Why is it so hard to promote yourself? You might be able to do it for others, but when it comes to marketing your own talents, you freeze up.

Do you resent the fact that you have to do publicity? Could it be because you are not confident enough? It helps to have a clear, focused vision. Many people are afraid even to say what they want, let alone shout it out. It gets easier with practice, though, so practice saying who you are and what you want.

If you believe in yourself and what you do, say so. Don expect people to figure it out for themselves. To be brutally honest, people just aren that smart. Tailor your self promotion to your own personality and product and it will be stronger and more memorable. Use your creative genius.

3-5% 

An advertising rule of thumb is that you should spend 3 to 5 percent of your gross income on promotion. Even if your business is successful, continual promotion will keep it successful, keep new customers coming in, and keep old customers aware of what you offer. Whether you work for yourself, in somebody’s else office, or in  a big corporation, the same idea holds true – you must invest in promoting yourself to be successful in the long term. As a creative heroine, you can invest more time and less money for the biggest payoffs of all.  The first step is to think outside the box, vow to be an original and keep an open mind.