There are certain aspects to every engagement opportunity that tap into our most common and core human instincts. If you are stuck in the natural habit of using these four words, you will struggle to connect.
And, unfortunately, every kind of connection is damaged. It might be during phone calls, in-person selling, email marketing, or creating a website or descriptions of your art or even your artist statement. All engagements benefit by leaving out the Four Dirty Little Words as much as possible.
It’s not easy for most of us. It takes very “purposeful and intentional sharing strategies” to overcome these words. You may need to give this some deep thought to really conquer the instinct and normal tendency to use these words.
But you will reap great benefits, both in your professional life and personal life, as you start to lessen your use of the Four Dirty Little Words.
Be honest with yourself and heed the warnings. Is this something that you need to improve on in your world? I look forward to your comments!
Mckenna
Hey… If you really want to “pay me back” for my helpful podcasts – go to iTunes and leave me a review! Mahalo!
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As you spoke the words from the Beatles song, “I me mine,” kept running through my head. What you and the boys said requires an entirely different mindset as well as a change of pronouns–but so important. Thank you!
You are so very welcome, Hannah. Thanks for your ongoing engagement here. Love it! Hope you can find a few minutes to leave a review over on iTunes, too! Thanks!
Interesting! You raise an important psychological perspective on interacting with the art viewer. I have a tendency to chit chat with the viewer about them, but then berate myself for deflecting the topic away from my art. I’m going to take your advice and write some possible ways of interacting using you/your instead of I/me/my, while still keeping focused on the art. It is more than likely that I/me/my are used too often when I am talking
Glad this hit the spot for you, Susan. I surely do want to be hitting some important perspectives on interacting. If you have listened to all the podcast episode to this point, you will see a pattern develop: I want you to sell more art!
So, if you think you are likely doing too much chit-chatting… you probably are. (wink-wink-LOL)
I will be addressing directly the “chit-chat” conundrum in a future podcast, but here’s taste of that issue in a blog post I wrote back in 2016: https://mygoldenwords.com/the-neutral-zone-trap/
It’s short but sweet. Enjoy!
As always …great advice!
Thanks, Conda! Hope it helps you find loving homes for your art!
McKenna,
As always, time listening or reading your thoughts, was well spent. You really made me reflect on the language I use (or don’t use) on my website. When I am physically with someone, it is easier to focus on them. I know I am a well trained “caregiver” but I am not a “salesperson”. I still have so much room for improvement.
I read your piece on the ” neutral zone” and realized that it is difficult for me to find the right timing to move from chit-chat to a more focused conversation that leads to a purchase.
Thanks again for your thought provoking work.
A word about i-tunes. I am an android/pc user. If I do anything on i-tunes, it seems to try and take over my computer so I avoid it. So glad you have direct links from your website. Thank you.
Aha… that’s interesting. iTunes is a bully! Ha! I have always used it PC days and beyond. I should be available on many other players – Spotify for example.
Back to my podcast: you are very welcome, Michele. Maybe this will help: It’s all about “recommending” your favorite dish at your favorite restaurant. Consider yourself an advisor/server. You help them through the menu. You help them get the best meal for their wants and needs. You answer questions to help discover if they have any preferences or special diet requirements (think size or budget) and simply serve them their final desires.
And one thing that I might talk about in the future is how to “return to the art”. Hint: It’s as easy as asking, “Curious about your thoughts on this piece. It’s the first time I have shown it to the public.” (Assuming that is true) Or just about any question that directs them to your collection. Or… just straight up say something like, “I better give you some space to look through my collection. It would be too easy to just chat with you all day! Please, let me know if you have any questions.” And just walk away.
The one thing that I know after almost 50 years in sales is: Being authentically engaged and assuming they are there primarily to give your art consideration is your key to finding loving homes for your art. Just don’t forget how important your job as an artist is. Your art is the rainbow moment that never fades. You change people’s lives forever.