One of my first ever summer jobs was way back when I was 18 years old, slinging beer at a local tavern where hardrock miners and blue collar workers hung out.

They were a fun, tough and lively bunch. And they liked to drink. A lot.

So did I. We had that in common. But that’s where the similarities ended.

I was a fish out of water with hair to my shoulders and three inch rock and roll shoes that were popular back in the mid seventies. Think KISS.

What a sight I must have been.

And the guys, when they needed more beer, which was pretty much always, would simply yell out…”hey, hippie, more beer….”

Most of the time all I needed to do was load the tray to capacity with draft beer and get it to their table.

They were happy. So was I.  I liked serving people. I made some good money.

I learned that serving people at this most basic level was humbling.

I had many part time jobs waiting in bars and restaurants since then.

I feel to this day it’s something that all younger folks should do, at least once in their lives.

It teaches us a lot.

Teaches us how to get over ourselves, and help others.

Even when they’re jerks. Which you get a healthy dose of when waiting on tables.

It toughens you up. Not for the easily hurt or offended.

The skills you acquire do come in handy when learning to sell your photography.

And selling is by far one of the BEST skills you can and need to master.

I’ve said it a million times, selling is not something you are born with.
It’s a skill. A muscle,.

It gets stronger and better with practice and use.

Hard at first, easier in time. Like anything else.

Saying you can’t sell or coping out with comments like: “She’s a born salesperson.” are just excuses.

Confidence plays a big role. And confidence is also a muscle. A skill.

I had very, very little confidence. It took me years of pain, struggle, coaching
and persistence to get some.

I seriously believe, if I can do it, anyone can.

And you don’t need beer. Just persistence and confidence in yourself.

One of my favorite sayings goes like this: “Your ability to sell is linked to your ability to not blink when you quote your price.”

In other words, don’t flinch. Be solid, grounded in the belief in yourself and your product.

Don’t flinch. Not even inside. People can pick up those vibes easy!

Growing my photography skills was way easier than growing my confidence.

But growing it was essential to mastering selling, and it helped, in turn, grow my photography.

This my friend, is an inside job.

If you want some serious butt-kicking coaching, no matter what level you’re at, and a huge amount of relevant information and strategies on selling and marketing, join me tomorrow night, Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017 9:00PM EST….

…for our monthly marketing mastermind meeting.

Members go here for registration link.

Not a member? Twenty bucks….peanuts when compared to the returns HERE.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher