Art of The Deal

There is an art in everything if you know how to finesse it, the act of doing something in a subtle and delicate manner. That’s why dancers and painter alike use ‘art’ as an exclusive deception to their craft. What justifies their title as ‘Professional’ over Hobbiest is the manner in which they can provide nuance.

What I love about the art of a deal is the creative process in which to sell your ‘art.’ Being able to understand the motivations behind the ‘buyer’s’ decision making gives you a chance to finesse a deal.

Tip 1: Know your audience: How else are you suppose to sell if you don’t know the ‘buyer?’ Are they frivolous or on a budget? Self-serving or high-maintenance? A variety of ways to look at it, but the important thing remains, you have to cater your product to the audience you are presenting to. From the words you use to the images and information you show, you’re one goal is to appeal and land a deal with that audience.

Tip 2: Define the game being played: Control the conversation by deconstructing the topic at hand. Without being untruthful, the definition of what’s being discussed should lean in your favor whenever possible. Staying focused on the silver-lining and a positive attitude.

Tip 3: Include them in the action: Find fun and clever ways to include the ‘buyer’ into the creative process. Don’t forfeit control of the work, but provide small cross-road decisions that they can weight in on which will solidify their emotional investment into the value.

Tip 4: Share your story: People love to hear about the behind-the-scenes of what makes your work come together. Make sure to practice and recognize the key anecdotes people respond to the most. Build an arch of a story from beginning to end that is quick and compelling by reciting what got you to start, what continues to inspire you and what brought you to the point you’re at during the sell.

Tip 5: Mix it up within what you do all the time: Have a go-to script in your mind and a go-to process. Have it so concrete that you can do it in your sleep. When your process is burned into the back of your skull, you’re mind will have the ability to go off script then return smoothly as conversations flow.

Step 3: Maintain leverage: Don’t show all your cards at once. It’s unwise to enter a deal that you don’t have a direct benefit by being in. Understanding the greatest possible end result of your deal as much as the worst possible end result (Pros and Cons) orients your thinking and decision making.

-Busy Brain