Hello Molly,
I am really enjoying your videos.
As a "recovering co-dependent" I would like to share the following insight. My life changed the day I examined my relationships and realized that co-dependent behavior is, ironically, profoundly disrespectful. It masquerades as "compassionate", "caring", "giving" altruism, BUT it does not honor the strength and wisdom of the "recipient" and is really emotionally manipulative and self-serving. I do not want to be on either side of such a relationship. (As generous and loving people, this distinction can seem to be a fine line, but awareness = clarity and is the energy of healthy relationships.)
Your upfront sales pitch was very refreshing!
Best wishes
Anne

Thank you Molly for this reminder and for asking for the sale. Your words reminded me of all the work I have done and the constant need to stay with it. I especially loved your points about giving clients/customers a choice it was a perspective I have been trying to find while working with my clients,artists, who continually undervalue themselves and in turn deny the world a chance to value the beauty art brings into our lives.

Thank you for being here.

Ouch! It's really hard to look your Achilles heel!
I have compared selling myself to chewing glass.
Thanks Molly, Even from here, you make me squirm in my seat! I've been putting off buying the book. Oh Really? What a surprise!
I have this quote from your ezine that I keep in my studio (Which, by the way, was under a painting)..
You have work to do in the world. Only you can do it. And it's your job to be visible, available,and accessible to people who would love to hire you.(They do exist). Thank you Molly

I just ordered your book. Thank you! I am looking forward to creating and enjoying a healthy Business! Warmly, Robin

Anne: Yes. Co-dependent behavior is profoundly disrespectful. As the oldest of 8 children, I ought to know by now that being the Big Sister is not always the kindest, most supportive way to relate. ;)

I remember saying to one of my sibs, "Mary, I feel so bad that I didn't do more to help you guys after Dad died."

Mary said, dead pan, "I don't remember thinking that Molly should come and save us."

!!

Bill: Thank God for ART and ARTISTS. It was while working as an artist myself that I discovered that business (marketing, sales, the whole catastrophe) was spiritual and psychological boot camp. Of course, I mostly noticed how much the OTHER artists needed help.

What I love most about my work is that it always leads back to me and everything I learn can be a gift to others.

How cool is that?

Susan, Achilles' heels are painful to look at and, as you know, even more painful (and dangerous) to ignore.

And there's something marvelous, I think, in the origins of that fatal flaw: it comes from having been held by the hand of a goddess and dipped into magical waters.

Not a bad way to start one's journey.

Thank you, each and all, for your support and for sharing the journey.

Great insight! I personally have had years of retail sales so don't have much problem asking for money (my stumbling block is trying to have to many prices/options/styles hoping to hit the sellers button), I do know many people do have an issue with this and you put it in easy to grasp form. And yes I am thinking about what you are selling.... a good reminder for me that I was/am interested in buying. Thanks!

Molly, Thank you for another video! Re content: Reminders about co-dependence are good for me. And I appreciate your authenticity and honesty on this important issue/issues. Asking for the order is it, you are so right. I'm retooling right now, but I'm sure there are opportunities to apply this fact of the work-independent life daily. I will watch for them.
Re the delivery method: I love the directness of watching and listening to you rather than reading -- though your ezines are beautiful. We all have so much to read! To be able to sit, and drink tea while watching your video is a wonderful break.

I want to add that your thoughts about asking for the sale was so right on, thinking about the process in those terms,i.e. usurping the customer's power of choice is REALLY important your choice of words couldn't have been better. And I wonder if somewhere deep in that usurpation lies a fear of connection and all the intimacy that goes along with it. Separating "the asking" from connecting turns the whole thing into a transaction about a "thing" which then makes it much easier to blame the customer/consumer for low sales.

Seth Godin in a recent post (http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/02/the-panhandlers-secret.html) made this point only as he can. A transaction is a transaction but a connection can open up many paths that would not have been visible with just a transaction.

BTW my wife is a Newfield Graduate.

Sabrina: Boy, do I know the endless options trap! I joke that I make things so complicated I even confuse myself. This shows up both in selling and in teaching. In sales, I can co-opt the buyer's experience, not only anticipating objections and desires, but bombarding the person with information and options.

In teaching, I sometimes forget that what I love about learning is discovery, not being spoon fed.

Jady: Thank you for commenting (and for commenting at Vimeo last week). I'm so glad you like the video medium. I love that technology has lowered the bar so that video can be informal and intimate.

BTW, I want to see your smiling face in Shaboom County!

Bill: "[S]omewhere deep in that usurpation lies a fear of connection and all the intimacy that goes along with it. Separating 'the asking' from connecting turns the whole thing into a transaction about a 'thing' which then makes it much easier to blame the customer/consumer for low sales."

Brilliant!

And separating asking from connecting also insulates me from "rejection." Except that it doesn't work. When we protect ourselves from "no," we are isolated and alone. Ouch!

It's not the customer declining to buy that hurts; it's foreclosing the possibility of relationship that hurts.

Thank you for your important message, Molly, and especially as expressed via video-- a medium that I believe will become more popular and expected on the Internet :)