The Difference Between Selling and Sharing http://ift.tt/1l3aoWz @jeffgoins #blogging

There’s a difference, you know.

Between hawking a product at an disinterested group and telling your friends about a movie they can’t miss.

Between spamming everyone you know and passionately proclaiming good news you can’t keep inside.

Between manipulating people to buy something and just simply sharing something you’ve created.

But some people don’t understand this. Some people think that if you have anything to sell — ever — you’re instantly a fake, a charlatan, a scammer. And these people will never be satisfied. They will always criticize and find reasons to tell you what you’re doing is wrong.

And you should ignore them.

Don’t be afraid

Someone recently asked me:

“Do creative people have trouble getting paid for their work?”

Indeed, I think they do. In fact, I believe this applies to anyone with remarkable skills they take for granted.

Many gifted people don’t understand the value of their gifts. They minimize them, dismiss them, and sabotage their work. But why?

Because, they reason, why should I get paid for something I enjoy? It’s easy. Fun. Effortless. But not for everyone. Just for you. Which only makes what you do even more valuable.

Here’s a challenge: Stop apologizing for your art, and embrace the fact you have something valuable to share. Something that’s — dare I say it? — worth money.

How to not sell out

This isn’t license to sell out and turn every word you write, picture you take, and painting you paint into a paid product.

No. That’s not the point at all. The point is this: You can be your own patron.

In an age when artists don’t have to be at the bottom of the food chain, dependent on the generosity of others, the only thing holding creative people back from success is themselves.

Don’t mistake me here. If you don’t want to make money off your art, don’t do it. But don’t use lack of finances as an excuse to not create. Because you no longer have that excuse.

The world values your work. Do you?

Bonus: I’m teaching a free training series to help you find your 1000 true fans and get paid to share your message. I’ll share how I grew an audience of 100,000 people in 18 months and what I learned. Sign up for free here.

What’s a gift you’re undervaluing that you should be sharing with the world? Share in the comments.

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