Comments on: How I Screwed Up My Pitch and What You Can Learn From My Colossal Error

By: Ann Scott

Sat, 27 Dec 2014 21:27:10 +0000

This is such a super helpful blog post! I have a question though…would a handwritten note be even better than an email if time allowed? I worry that emails get automatically tossed into the spam folder.

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By: Frances Vettergreen

Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:54:15 +0000

It’s hard to comment without knowing exactly what you edited out of the first conversation, but though the “what’s in it for us” response is both rude and off-putting, I wonder why you didn’t answer the implied question. How WOULD your project benefit the gallery? And then you got another opening when she (he?) told you you needed to explain more — I think it would have been appropriate to respond with “I’m sorry, you’re right; here’s more detail…” especially in an email exchange. They don’t have to read it. On the phone you could say something like “I’m sorry, you’re right; I know you are busy but if you are interested I could send you an email with the details”. Either you get shut down or you get a chance to salvage the situation. Even if you don’t win this time, by acknowledging their response and addressing the deficit in your pitch, you may preserve the relationship for the next time. Despite what they say about first impressions, it’s been my experience that most people are in fact quite civilized.
The message I’m taking away here is obviously to introduce my project up front, but also to be prepared with a response should the person I’m speaking to respond negatively or I realize that my approach has been clumsy. A door left open — however snarkily — is still a door.

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By: JR

Thu, 11 Dec 2014 20:19:43 +0000

Seems the other person was defensive because you teach artists how to market themselves and how to best deal with galleries and marketplaces, as that was the only information you had volunteered at that time. Perhaps that tells you something about how this gallery owner (or whomever) treats artists if he/she was threatened and, in turn, rude.

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By: Martha Farias

Sun, 23 Nov 2014 04:40:50 +0000

Looking at this drawing i can see how the mood can go from confusion to sadness, looks like the artist was going for a variety of colors to make the people look as different from each other as possible. Although you can see all the different diversities in this painting they also share the same facial expression. im not sure if the artist was going for a sad mood or if the colors and patterns in the peoples faces just demonstrate the appearance of sadness. Other then those confusions color tones. i love how the artist shows a person in every different color. She also emphasizes the different races and cultures. Which is white amazing. This picture shows how cultures come together and all though we are different in skin tone, we can all definitely portrait the same face expressions. Something else that caught my attention when looking at this painting was how the artist used people of all ages. You can see the elderly and the younger generations mixed together. Which also makes the painting quite interesting when looked from that perspective of age combinations.

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By: kayo

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 01:37:02 +0000

In reply to Alyson Stanfield.

Everyone has bad days. Thanks for sharing this, and thanks for the TED talk recommendations. I appreciate that Alyson shared this embarrassing goof up!

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By: Holly Irwin

Thu, 13 Nov 2014 16:33:37 +0000

Thanks for sharing this Alyson! We all get really busy and it’s easy to forget these things sometimes. I appreciate all the great information that you always give us!

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By: Rebekah Tesone

Thu, 13 Nov 2014 14:44:28 +0000

As I read this email I was perplexed and read the encounter several times. Yes I understand the version of the do over on the right approach which you obviously have thought threw. (Thanks for the lesson) I for one also have overly jumped on sales people at times and have felt horrible afterwards. They have interrupted me when I was in a bad place. After they left I felt bad. It seems as if you still care because of living in similar areas. All personalities are different in responding and response’s. At this point I would write a note and apologize and know you offered the branch of peace and let it go. Then wonder if she saw this post! 🙂

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By: Abby

Tue, 11 Nov 2014 21:56:37 +0000

In reply to Thya Merz.

It is good to be thoughtful, but it is also good to be tolerant. Not everyone has had the privilege of attending finishing school, and many who lack the skills to charm and impress are genuine, well intended individuals with something of value to offer.

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By: Thya Merz

Tue, 11 Nov 2014 20:51:15 +0000

I second Ian’s appreciation. It is good to be reminded that regardless of our expertise we need to continue to be thoughtful and fully present in our business practices

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By: Ian

Tue, 11 Nov 2014 20:28:36 +0000

I appreciate you sharing a real world example. It’s not always easy when you don’t come out looking like a winner. Of course, your example makes us all the better.
Thanks for the insight.
Ian.

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