Friday afternoon we packed the car until the steel began to bend. Once we reached capacity my family and I squeezed into our seats and headed across the state. 

This was the weekend to take our fourteen year old to a special session of choir camp rehearsal.  She will be traveling across Europe this summer and will have a few of these sessions before the spring and early summer is over.

We decided, this time, to stay in a faculty cabin on the campgrounds.  We thought it would be nice to get away from everyday life.   The cabin was small, old and dirty.  But, a fine value for the thirty-five dollars a night we paid.

We are outdoors types and find it a fun challenge roughing it every once in a while. 

I kept in the spirit of the weekend until, late in the evening, I finally pulled my laptop out.  We didn’t have an internet connection in the middle of the woods, but, I knew I could write.

Actually, I didn’t have any good ideas. I wanted to take this opportunity, since it wasn’t an official family vacation, to get ahead.  So, I started writing a list of new topics for future projects, podcasts and blog posts. 

The first ideas where not very good.  But, as I continued to write new thoughts formed.  Headlines popped into my head and great new life changing ideas started to flow. 

I put the computer away for the nature walks.  But, the ideas continued and I raced to the laptop when we got back to the cabin. 

I’m not endorsing the idea of bring work with you on your retreats. (Frankly, at times, I did get the evil eye from my wife).  But, I would recommend you take time to create a long list of new ideas. Use your creativity and imagination.

Write until you break through the bad, boring and cliché. Ignore the first few ideas and keep writing until you’re drained.  Don’t stop until you’ve created a list that will advance your career, set you apart from your competition and change your life.

Rosh

When you listen to our podcasts or read our blogs you will notice a number of themes. Below is a list of some of my favorite Prosperous Artists business and marketing ideas. These ideas are what work for me and I believe they will work for you.

1) Do what works: It’s amazing how many business people continue to do what doesn’t work thinking they will do it better next time rather then try something new.

2) Test: Test your ideas on a small scale to see if they work. This saves a lot of time and money. It’s OK to be wrong. That is how we learn and become better business people.

3) Make it easy to do business: Some business people spend too much time protecting themselves. When barriers are placed in front of prospects and customers, it’s almost impossible to create a win-win relationship.  Remember service is about them.

4) Risk reversal: Put the risk on you not the customer (within reason). This is a
good step in making it easy to do business with you.

5) Learn how to network: Building business is about people.

6) Know your worth: Chances are you undervalue what you do.

7) Focus on the Niche: Creative business people that become the best in a small niche often make many times more then the average, generalist or Jack of all trades.

8 ) It’s OK to make money doing what you love to do: Many new creative entrepreneurs think they are cheating or stealing when they ask people to pay them for something they would love to do for free. It is wrong to think that only physical, boring or complex labor is worthy of pay.  Just because it’s easy to you or you enjoy the task doesn’t mean there is no value in it.

9) Get involved in new/social media: Become an expert in what you do.

10) Never stop trying to do what you do better: To stay ahead of the curve, keep
your skills sharp and be a leader in your field.  You need to continue to study and innovate in your area of expertise.  Never stop learning.   If you’ve learned everything. Quit.