tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1875623548314632128.post3159637368333123144..comments2022-03-26T23:21:20.778-04:00Comments on Bellydance Paladin: Dancers are Businesspeople too.Abigail K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05763562882793369710noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1875623548314632128.post-8932704484068752092008-02-17T08:56:00.000-05:002008-02-17T08:56:00.000-05:00I agree with the points you touched on regarding b...I agree with the points you touched on regarding being a businesswoman. One aspect of Kallisti Tribal and our semi-success in our small little pond is that we do view Kallisti as a busines and I, likewise, see Lyra as a business. We have talks about how to present/market ourselves, which gigs and shows are best for us image-wise and will raise our public profile, we have a standard "brand" to our fliers and business cards that reinforces our style and we always work our hardest to assert our strengths.<BR/><BR/>One interesting thing about this is that I think my experience as a freelance designer has really shaped how I approach bellydance. As a designer, I have to constantly evaluate myself as a commodity. I look at my capabilities, strengths and experience and, from that, decide how to position and market myself as such. I do the same for dance. I look at Kallisti and/or Lyra and jot down strengths (sassiness, good crowd interaction, troupe dynamic, etc.) and all of those items are taken into account when we book shows, I teach classes , etc. I think it's done well so far as I think we've found a place where we are a bit different from what is in our immediate area and we do have something unique to offer.<BR/><BR/>I find that there is also a large amount of selfishness that goes into being a paid artist. And I don't view "selfishness" as a bad quality, per se. You have to know what you've got and own it, then make sure you keep it sell-able, true to your intent and competitive. All of those things together make for a good commodity and continue to grow your career, versus stagnation or self-deprication.<BR/><BR/>There's my two cents! Love this blog :)the ineffable bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12325704896307857163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1875623548314632128.post-56760393259327380322008-02-17T00:06:00.000-05:002008-02-17T00:06:00.000-05:00Frank Ghery...how odd. I recognized that quote imm...Frank Ghery...how odd. I recognized that quote immediately. It's strange to me that you would be familiar with some of the same random, semi-obscure stuff I am.She-burtsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14066649282288404948noreply@blogger.com