The Power of Vulnerability

[#1]

I want to share a video that inspired me over the weekend: Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability: http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html

You know I'm always encouraging you to make connections – connections with each other, with your buyers. Ms. Brown says, "Yet all too often, connection — in relationships, in classrooms, etc. — is missing. Why? Fear is a big reason why we fail at making connections." I wholeheartedly think success is directly related to our ability to open ourselves up to connections.

I'm curious to hear what you think! Share your thoughts...

[GraniteMountainGems2]

I echo what others have said about being afraid to blog, worrying if your stuff doesn't sell you're not validated, etc. Yes, as artists we really put ourselves out there.

When I blog, or write my profile, or even item descriptions, I struggle with not fitting the "typical artist" image I think others have (but with our diversity, that's truly an oxymoron). I'm not quirky enough, I don't like certain bands or TV shows, I don't live in NYC, or live "close to the land" on a farm off the grid (I kind of wish I did!), I don't have a bunch of cool tattoos, or hang out at the coffee place, not a vegetarian, I don't make whatever the current trend is, I don't invent fantasy stories about my work, I'm not also a writer (or bellydancer or yoga fan), etc. So I fear maybe others won't think I'm a "real" artist (though I've been an artist all my life), and they certainly won't find me or my blog very interesting. That haunts me. And it doesn't help that I don't think I've effectively reached my target market yet (assuming they're even out there), though I occasionally find a customer who really seems to connect with me and my work.

I keep believing that if I do what feels meaningful to me ("from the heart"), something I feel I was made to do, it will find it's place and I will succeed. That keeps me going! But it does require me to be vulnerable, which can be hard.

[Former_Member]

Hi Everyone,

Oh my goodness, I am overwhelmed with gratitude to everyone who responded to my comment. Last night when I posted my 1st comment, I was feeling rather low about my shop's slow start.

I would like to thank everyone who looked at my items and then took the time to critique my shop. Your kind and encouraging words are so uplifting. Suggestions about my photos are especially helpful and I'll certainly replace the main photo for each item. I was attempting to create an interesting vignette to show people that my unusual shaped pillows could fit in their homes.

I also realize the proper tags are critical for the search engines, but how can one know exactly what tag they are looking for at any given time?

Again, thank you for spending your valuable time to help me. Pay-it-forward is my motto, so hopefully I will be in the position to pass some of my time and knowledge onto a newbe Etsy shop owner in the future.

Blessing to All!

[Former_Member]

I'm so glad you guys were inspired by this video! I love to hear a few of you had been linked to the video by other people on the same day - too funny!

JoJo - the best tags to use are ones that describe your work to a T. Remember you're not trying to find as many buyers as possible, but instead, the RIGHT buyers who are looking for your work. Here's an article that can help if you get stuck: http://www.etsy.com/storque/seller-handbook/seller-how-to-tag-o-rama-with-descriptive-keywords-5474/

[Former_Member]

A relevant credo for life as well as on etsy!

[Zehland]

JKistlerStudios, what you said is so true of me sometimes too and I'm sure many others as well. What makes a "real" artist anyway? If you think about it, whatever we are is what creates the definition of an artist.
I found the video so perfect because she talks about connections. I had decided that my WORD for 2011 would be Connections on day one of this year. It's been inspiring me to put myself out there to try to make those connections instead of hiding behind my work which is far more comfortable.
But then, when taking the chance, so many wonderful things happen that would not have happened otherwise.

[Former_Member]

It's so weird because I'm actually a writer, yet most of my descriptions read like a lawnmower manual.

[GraniteMountainGems2]

Zehland, that's a great word for the year! Especially for doing business in a venue like Etsy. I wasn't planning to do that, but toward the end of January as a fave radio station kept talking about it, it hit me that my word for the year was LOVE. And I guess that includes some vulnerability and connection, so there I go! :-)

Here's to a year of making both connections and sales!

[21moons]

Danielle, thank you so much for that video/talk on connection. "Connection" is something I have identified as essential. I love hearing it looked at and critiqued/dissected so closely. I very much appreciate her perspective and the vulnerability she exhibited in her presentation. However,I wonder if others had difficulty with her words about the newborn baby, describing the new baby as "imperfect and wired for struggle". I don't quite see them that way. Perhaps I a misunderstanding... Thank you again for such a moving and meaningful perspective.

[Former_Member]

I <3 this video and have shared it w friends!!!<3 So real and so true ... never quite put it into words before but I believe these are the principals which have guided my decisions and have helped me to move forward w/out fear in launching my line and Etsy site !! A very worthwhile 20 min. that will change ur mindset forever ... whether to validate ur current thoughts or to teach new ones ... listen up and check where ur at ... it is such a helpful and learning piece. I loved this video for the encouragement and validation it gave to just putting yourself out there and proceeding ... completely open to imperfection and growth. Thank you for this piece Etsy !!!

[Former_Member]

Anybody can be vulnerable no matter how strong a person can appear to be. I think we become stronger when we realize that.

[Waterrose]

I love the Ted videos. I get so much out of so many of them. This one ranks right up there with some of the best I've seen.

Being vulnerable or authentic can be very hard in todays society. On one hand we use social networking to connect with people all around the world. On the other hand we see on the news people who are hurt or taken advantage because of social networking. There is certainly a fine line we all have to walk.

[Former_Member]

in response to lauraprentice---I found it easy for vulnerability when I was a paper artist, my art was from such a personal private hurt place.....but with jewelry??? must read more of all your responses....how does one show that to an ONLINE customer?

[Former_Member]

So timely! I was just reading a book today that spoke to our fears and how they lead to procrastination, specifically related to making connections with others. "Courage is a self-inflicted quality that gains momentum every time you try it." Learning to swim or ride a bike is scary at first, but it gets easier the more you do it. (To give credit, the quote came from Jeffrey Gitomer.)

[BabyJivesCo]

I watched the video this morning and then decided to put my fear aside and contact a blogger who I have been reading for a long time whose site I thought would be a good fit for the mobiles I sell on Etsy.

So I carefully crafted a letter and took the plunge to make the connection. 5 minutes later she emailed me back telling me that she loved my work and would be thrilled to feature it on her blog. Wow! I had been waiting almost 6 months to contact her and this video gave me the push to finally reach out. Now for the next letter...

[Former_Member]

Great quote, Kelly!

Babyjives - that is awesome! :D

[Former_Member]

It never occurred to me that vulnerability could be my power, especially in Art. It is so personal and part of who I am. I can see that opening myself up for others to see frees me, my fear so often gets in the way. On Etsy I don't know how to connect yet, I will get better as I continue to learn. * We had our shop for a year before I even listed an item! And that was last week.....Prosperity to All Gratefully Larry & Sue