Great tip about the keys. 😂 Another tip I might add for those who have social anxiety is to look back at your own successes as a way to get out of the comparison trap, and prioritize comfort (in bold😂). When I get in my head thinking that I need to put on an act/be more extroverted/sit/stand/smile/be more engaging to get more sales, my anxiety gets much much worse. Even seeing this video, I got low key triggered and had to consult my successes list 😅 Setting up your booth and exposing yourself to the general public at the show is HUGE for someone with social anxiety. And if “sitting in the back of the booth” with a gentler approach is an artist’s comfort zone, that’s the best method to achieve sales for them. If you’re comfortable and the work is resonating, you’re golden. If you’re fatigued, losing feeling in your face & hands, saying words just to trap someone there, grumpy, mind going blank because “need to sell but what to say do I even know my native language anymore ARE YOU THERE GOD, ITS ME MARGARET” = not a successful method of existence for a socially anxious person and it sure isn’t sustainable. 😅😅😅 After 14 years of doing this, I’m grateful to now have 14 years of proof that being myself works just fine. Apologies for the novel, this topic gets me going. Haha 😆

@EvanReinheimer

3 ай бұрын

This is PERFECT. I am pinning it to the top of the comments! You’re absolutely correct that what works for one does not work for all and comfort is really the ultimate key to a great show. Even though I push myself in terms of my chatty-ness and whatnot, I’m always genuine in my approach with collectors and other artists. Someone else pointed out that introvert/extrovert is more about how we recharge our social batteries and that’s very true. After a busy show I need quiet alone time for a while where an extrovert may be charged up from so much socializing. Comparing our own “success” to the “success” of others is useless and only leads to bad things most of the time. Sorry for the low key trigger❤️

@jackiemaloney8676

3 ай бұрын

No need to apologize for the low key trigger. It’s a me issue. 😂 It’s also important to note that introversion & social anxiety are two different things. I just happen to deal with both.

@EvanReinheimer

3 ай бұрын

@@jackiemaloney8676 yes, I didn’t mean to imply that they are one in the same. Even though I guess I did use them somewhat interchangeably in the video, I think.

Great topic Evan. A lot of your insight hits home with me as I am a fellow introvert. The best definition of introverted vs. extroverted personalities that I've heard is it's not how we act during the day at our jobs, etc. It's about how we recharge our personality batteries during our down time. Introverts recharge by having "me time" to unwind without other people around. Extroverts on the other hand get their energy from other people. And let's not forget that there are many shades of differentiation between the two types. When I'm at a show, I put my "game face" and personality on (much like your shirt), and I'm joking with customers all day, etc. At the end of the day, I'm exhausted and don't want to see another human being. Johnny Carson was very much an introvert and he hated going to all the Hollywood parties etc. We're in good company!

@EvanReinheimer

3 ай бұрын

You’re absolutely correct! It’s all about how we “recharge.” At the end of a long art festival day an extroverted person may feel more energized than us introverts. This doesn’t mean that we don’t enjoy our time interacting with people at art shows, we do. It’s more that it drains our energy and takes some extra effort, as you said.

SO insightful Evan! @theindependentartistpodcast should host you as a guest! You are not your anxiety, you just have that trait sometimes, and that person you are on the sales floor is just another facet of yourself. Yes many of us have these personality traits that seem to contradict themselves, I think this chameleon effect is due to the desire to want community and not rejection. The sensitivity in our artistry likely comes from bearing our soul and by showing our art we are seeking acceptance and thus are more susceptible to judgment in these mediums. It's really great to bring up this topic for everyone to weigh in on, thanks for always putting out good content!

@EvanReinheimer

3 ай бұрын

Well said! Thank you☺️

Thanks!

@EvanReinheimer

3 ай бұрын

Thank you! 🥳🥳🥳

I think your wife was on point about how you show your inside through your art. Some of my work is bright and cheerful, and some of it is not. It does reflect on how one feels I think. I am an introvert as well, and sometimes it is hard to talk to people unless I am talking about my art.

@EvanReinheimer

3 ай бұрын

My wife is pretty much always on point. It’s almost annoying how right she is sometimes 🤣 She also says I “light up” when talking about my work or about something I’m passionate about. She knows me better than I know myself🥰

So much of this hit home for me as well (fellow introverted muted dresser with colorful artwork)! I wonder too sometimes if I didn't have the veil of anxiety over me all the time how different life would be. I hadn't thought about it in the way you mentioned- that maybe "booth us" is our uninhibited true self. Lately I've been trying to focus on accepting that anxiety is a big part of who I am, and affects my interactions and how I make my art. I'm trying to work with it instead of against it. Anyway, another great video, thanks!

@EvanReinheimer

3 ай бұрын

The real important part that I always think about is: “do you like who you are?” If so, then changing or fighting anxiety isn’t a top priority. The one thing I don’t like is when my anxieties attempt to keep me from doing things that I want to do. That’s when it gets the hardest and I just do whatever I can to push through it. It’s uncomfortable and I don’t like that part, but I just can’t let it stop me from doing things I enjoy. For example, I go through periods where I am extremely anxious about flying on airplanes or travel in general. And I fly and travel A LOT! Sometimes it’s a real extreme struggle to push through those moments, but I just can’t let it stop me from doing things that I love. It may be in these moments that we force ourselves, that we reveal our true inner self. Sorry if that was super long. Thanks for watching 😆

@moonrabbitpress

3 ай бұрын

not too long, and I appreciate everything you're saying- it's also all things I struggle with too!

I think many of us can be both an introvert and extrovert at different times. Overlay that with being an artist and it gets even more complicated. I'm now doing shows but am learning that being "on" for hours at a time is, or can be, a challenge. I am recommending a book for those who might want to delve deeper into this subject. I heard Susan Cain speak at a HOW Design Conference years ago and then read her book. It is helpful to those navigating a world where we are all told to be, or forced to be, extroverts. I won't put a direct link here as I suspect KZread deleted my previous attempt to post it. What I can do is say that the title is "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking." It is available at your favorite book/shopping source.

@EvanReinheimer

3 ай бұрын

Yes, most people are not 100% one or the other. We are a complicated mix of many things. Thanks for the recommendation, I was able to find it on Amazon here for others who may be interested in checking it out as well: www.amazon.com/dp/0307352153/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_P7KF3ESQXXJ450T61P00?linkCode=ml2&tag=evan0dd-20 Thank you!

@davidhoyt671

3 ай бұрын

I really appreciate your videos sir. They are thoughtful and speak to the philosophy, in addition to the nuts and bolts matters, of the working artist. I'm retired from a 33 year career as a graphic designer and art director but am now creating and selling artwork full-time. This business is delightful but not really for the faint-hearted. @@EvanReinheimer

@EvanReinheimer

3 ай бұрын

@@davidhoyt671you said it, it takes a special kind of person😊

@jackiemaloney8676

3 ай бұрын

Ditto on Susan Cain’s book. May I also add “Sensitive: The Hidden Power of The Highly Sensitive Person in a Loud, Fast, Too Much World” by Jenn Granneman. I found it to be very validating.

Always enjoy your videos Evan. Did you decide to keep trying the ads to promote your shows? It has motivated me to try the same here in NC.

@EvanReinheimer

3 ай бұрын

Great question, Stacy! I was just thinking about this as I plan my summer schedule. And yes, I am going to be running some more video ads for some of my summer shows. Not every show, but I have a few specific ones in mind. I’ll talk about them in videos when they come up for sure. I’m eager to hear how they work out for you, keep me updated please!