Sales and Marketing are... Beautiful?

I have a confession to make…
I’ve been a creative entrepreneur for a long time, but it took me many years to become more effective at sales and marketing. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always had good instincts when it comes to people… but I’ve also had a lot of resistance to traditional sales and marketing techniques.
Since then, I’ve had a huge mindset shift that’s changed my perspective.
Today I love marketing and sales as much as I love every other part of my business… because I’ve gotten good at it. By that I mean I’ve come to understand that there are two sides of sales and marketing. And you have to have a balance between them.
There's value in flowing… staying authentic and following your inspiration… letting things come to you.
But there’s also value in going after things… letting people know what you do… and making people offers that can change their lives. If you don’t help other people understand what you do, show them the value of what you have to offer, and give them an opportunity to participate… you’re actually cheating them.
How’s that for a mindset shift?
I used to think that if I just spent enough time focusing on my “internal” process, that success and wealth would automatically flow to me. I used to believe that I could simply “will” abundance to come to me… through my positive nature and strength of purpose.
I didn’t need marketing. I was above it.
At least that’s what I thought…
Then I started to open myself up to the possibility that there was something more. You’ve heard of a spiritual awakening… this was my “business awakening.” I started to see myself and my business differently.
Maybe I wasn’t learning more about sales and marketing because I was afraid. Maybe I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to do it. Maybe I was holding myself back. Maybe… I could learn something new and do it in a way that would still be authentic to me.
Now sales and marketing is my friend. I’m getting more and more comfortable… and more and more confident. The most important part though, is that I’m becoming a lot more effective. I’m achieving more and more success. And I’m helping more people than ever before.
And no, I haven’t lost any customers because of it (although I’ve certainly raised a few eyebrows).
But I am having a lot more fun…
How about you?!
Action Steps

1. Take a deep breath and open yourself up to a new perspective.
2. If you haven’t already read it, buy the book “Zero-Resistance Selling” by Maxwell Maltz, M.D. and read it before the end of the month (deadlines are fantastic)!
3. Make a commitment to do something new in the month of May. Create a marketing campaign that is unusual and memorable.

© 2010 Ingrid Elfver. All Rights Reserved.