People skills.

I talk a lot to Artists about building their Art Business and the need to learn new skills in a day of constant change. I do believe it is necessary for Artists of today to be their best salesperson, to be their best marketer and to be a good public speaker and we are fortunate enough today to live in a time when most of these skills can be learned for free on the internet, it is just a matter of searching for your desired subject.

But I think probably the most import trait that an Artist needs is simply to be a nice person.

To understand when you are dealing with the public that there are a lot of people walking around out there with big problems and often their frustration can be taken out on an Artists or a crafts person sitting in a Fair just trying to sell their Art.

Dealing with difficult people can be very hard, so here are I few skills I employ when faced with an aggressive, critical person, who most likely will not buy.

First smile and be nice, a soft answer turns away anger.

If they will not stop after my soft answer and smile, I then reflect back what they are saying, still smiling and no anger.

They say, “ A child could paint that.”

You, “ Oh, a child could paint this?”

“ Yes, my grand daughter can paint better than that.”

“Oh, you have a granddaughter who paints?”

“ Well not really but she could paint better than that.”

“Oh, so she doesn't paint, but could paint better?”

“ Well, you know what I mean.”

“ No Sir I am sorry I don't know what you mean, please tell me?”

“ I mean this looks like kids painting, hey?.”

“ Kids painting?”

“ Yes you know its like how kids paint.”

“Do you know any children who paint like this?”

and keep reflecting back.

I learned to do this through bitter experience.

I know what I wrote is very simplistic but the key to seeing off difficult people is not argue with them or try and explain your work, it will just keep the argument going.

You need to reflect back what they are saying and make them explain what they mean. Most have no idea why they are being so difficult and it frustrates them when you do not argue but just reflect back what they are saying as questions.

They will not understand you or what you are doing and they will find you frustrating and walk away.

You are left not upset and at least uninjured from the experience and you will find each time you do it you will get better at smiling, being friendly and reflecting back what they are saying and seeing them off.

Most people who see you doing it will remark what a nice person you are and how well you dealt with that rude person.

Most Artists are really nice people so please learn good people skills to protect yourself and know how to deal with difficult people.