Selling your talent is tough. It may even be distasteful, especially if you don’t believe in yourself. Many creative heroines defend their inability to sell as an unwillingness to sell out. Get off your high horse. I am not the devil because I believe you have to get your story out.

As a creative heroine, you are always pitching your story, wherever you are, whomever  you are talking to. You pitch people you want to work for, and those you want to work for you. Your style is a pitch of its own, a demonstration of your uniqueness.

To get paid, to make a living, you have to sell. You don’t have to lie, cheat, deceive, or wear polyester suits and gaudy ties. To sell effectively, you must help people, heal them, entertain them, fill their needs. These are good things.

Don’t treat selling as if it were beneath you. If you don’t think you can do it, then you cannot. The sooner you accept that you have to do it, the better. Everyone sells something: ideas, information, talent, skills, products, dreams, energy, art. If you have something to offer, and you want to earn money for it, you sell.

That does not mean you can’t have fun with it. Some tips.

Try to get some intelligence on your client. People like to do business with those who know what the hell they are talking about. They will test you. You need them to say yes to your plan, project, movie, script etcera. You must motivate them. Find out what it will take to get them to say yes.

People want what they can’t have. Sold out. Standing room only. For a limited time. I am booked solid through July, but I think I could squeeze you in the first week of August.

Shut up and listen. Ask questions and let them do the talking. Don’t ever ask a question to which they can answer ‘no’.

Trust your gut.  Use your intuition to judge the situation and react.

Be passionate. Being pumped will influence people more than what you actually say.

Don’t be dull!  Don’t be desperate. Interject some humor, an anecdote, a personal story, an example. Make it real. Entertain, personalize it with your wit. Relax and have some fun.

Be ready to pitch on a moment’s notice. Have your verbal brochure ready to go. It should be so well rehearsed that it does not sound rehearsed.

Lead with your best stuff. And keep it short. Be clear and concise about what you are selling. One to two minutes is a good pitch.

Sincerity sells. Don’t be a phony. Be yourself.

Persistence pays off.

Set realistic sales goals. Make three calls today.

Always have something to give.  A demo, brochure, column, video.  Carry them with you at all times.

No matter what you are selling, stress the benefits.  People are influenced by WIIFM (what is in it for me). Tap into that. What is their dream, their desire? Sell them on it.

Be reliable so that they will want to  hire you again. Never miss a deadline.

If they say no, ask for a referral to someone else who might like what you have to offer

Don’t handicap yourself by saying “I am not a salesperson”.  You can be whatever you want to be.

What is your bottom line? Ask them what theirs is. What will it take to close this deal? Find ways other than money to negotiate. Let them make the offer first.

Recognize a poor fit when you see one and back down gracefully.