Sigh.... a star is born. Just don't forget us little folk when you're rich and famous. Lord I hope you don't become a member of the paparazzi.

"Yeah, I knew Sheila back when she was posting oranges and pears on Renderosity".

Hey... can you introduce me to Rod Stewart???

Message edited on: 01/27/2005 10:10

I am an ex business owner turned very amateur photographer who can hopefully offer something to this topic. I was in the computer software business for thirty years and enjoyed a fair level of success. If you will forgive the license, I might suggest the analogy of investing one's self in a software idea to creating a work of art. In both cases there is often the fear of rejection when attempting to market it. In both cases you are putting your creativity and expertise on the line. First, don't hide behind that crap about "selling yourself out" by trying to make money from your art. You're not. You are offering your creativity for just compensation and there's nothing wrong with that. Next, accept this: There will be rejection. Period. Accept it, live with it and go on. The best advice short of a B school course is TRY THINGS. Put the same CREATIVITY and QUALITY that's reflected in your work to selling it. Some, probably most, things you try won't work. Each failed effort contains a lesson, learn from it then try something else. Odds are you will find something that works. Yes it can be "work", but you are doing it for you, not someone else, and it can even be fun at times. You will be using your creativity, albeit in a different way, have the opportunity to meet people, receive feedback... all-in-all a worthwhile experience. The generally accepted method for selling is to use the popular models, i.e. that which other people have done successfully. Don't constrain yourself by that mentality. Think outside the box. Again, TRY THINGS. I found great success by finding niches either ignored or unthought of by others in my profession. This all might sound a trifle simplistic... but it does work. We tend to allow things of which we are unfamiliar to loom out of proportion, fueled by our ignorance and fears. Don't let that be an obstacle. JUST DO IT. b2amphot