Have you ever watched an acting company prepare for a show? It’s a fascinating experience.
First, the actors, director and stage managers sit down for a read-through—just the people and the script—to get a feel for the play. Then rehearsals begin. The director works out the blocking—where he wants the actors to enter and exit, where they should stand and move on the set to convey the right message to the audience.
There are more rehearsals.
The set is built, the lights are hung, the sound guys do their work, the actors adapt to their new environment.
So you’ve had a little time to banish objections and self-made intimidation. This next part is simple—come up with one thing to improve your first impression. One. Here are a few ideas to get you going:
Firm up your handshake
Take a look at your business card (do you have a business card?). Does it feel like you? Is it still fresh, or does it feel stale, or maybe even generic? Are you proud to put it in someone’s hand? Does it fit in with everything else you use to promote your work?
Spruce up your retail or trade show booth (or your studio, storefront or home office). Update the colour of the backdrop, clean up your signage, or think about some new display props. If you’re showing your work on pegboard, this is the year to get rid of it. Pegboard is for hanging tools.
The holidays are over, the leftovers are long gone, the resolutions have been made.
Or not.
Are you unnerved at the thought of either starting a marketing plan, or chewing your nails about polishing your existing image? It can be overwhelming if you look at where you want to be compared with where you are now.
It’s not a big deal. Just start at the beginning.
