It’s been one of those weeks. I have been dealing with trying to break down what I call ‘Makers Arrogance’.
I am not sure, honestly, if it is even possible to do. I have run into it on numerous occasions and found it largely impenetrable.
But I am not giving up on all of you just yet. Although you have given me cause to. I am just as stubborn- but less narrow minded- than you. (insert my smiling face.)
You see makers- technologists- software creators- coders-clarinet makers- often share a trait in common. They think because they have a technical skill that they can show you; through their lines of code or the amazing clarinet they make–BECAUSE they MAKE SOMETHING others can tangible see, and you don’t, that they are smarter and know better than you. Sales and Marketing is easy. Anyone can do that.
I use my mind, my judgement, my values and ethics to help the right people- my target market- FEEL SOMETHING. But for some odd reason they don’t see that their knowledge and experience does not trump my own. We are equals and equally needed.
Do you know of any successful business who ever created enormous wealth, prestige and fame that was not properly branded, well positioned in its marketplace and loved so much people bought it over and over and over and over again? You see these things go together. Together they represent alignment. And you don’t have to look any farther than Apple versus Dell to realize who won the love $race$.
And to all you creatives who shut down when you see $$ signs, you need to get over it. You need to realize that when people pay you they are showing you how much they value, respect and love what you do. Money only flows when they do. So if you love your art making more than getting others to love it as much as you do, why are you doing it? Isn’t that the purpose of your art? To engage others? If its become a self-centered mission of who will, or could, ever be greater than you, take a look in the mirror. What greater good do you serve?
Sales and Marketing build brands. Great products certainly help but do not whatsoever sell themselves. Nobody needs a better widget. They need products and services that make them feel better about themselves because they are motivated to use them.
There’s a saying: “If you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door.” That saying is bullshit.
To your highest purpose and best self friends.
To learn more about me go to LisaCanning.com, Lisa’s Clarinet Shop, Royal Musical Instruments, iaeou.me or Crowdfund Capital Advisors.
Do you know a woman who is making change happen in her community? Like my Facebook page, Women Making Change Happen, and tell me who she is.
