Walking down memory lane…
The last week or so I have been reviewing all of the videos I have done, since I am trying to determine what should go in the “Vault” library of my new membership group. I came across a fun one from November 7, 2019. It was all about how the phone had stopped ringing, and you, my audience, were worried about NO business, now that the Halloween rush was over. I had no idea, that the upcoming winter would pass, as normal…and then we would settle into the longest SLOWEST SLOW season in history.
In essence that’s what we have: an extension of the slow season, and a future that is uncertain.
In that video, I highlighted an artist who was not only a wonderful teacher and a great artist, but has a keen mind for marketing and sales. Her name is Melina Kilpatrick, and on that day, she was staying at my house in NJ and teaching a fabulous workshop to a small group of face painters. Here is what I said about this remarkable woman:
“I’m dedicating this Thursday afternoon tune up to a fantastic teacher and a good friend named Melina Kilpatrick, who not only is an awesome teacher but somehow manages to combine her fabulous marketing wisdom with an incredible, impeccable painting style for a workshop today that blew our minds and will help a whole bunch of us that took that workshop to make more revenue in the coming year.
Melina is a perfect example of somebody who has persevered until she was able to fine-tune her business so it is nothing but ideal clients who request repeat performances from her and her team; fairs and festivals, where she has exclusivity; and wonderful corporate clients who understand that Melina’s extremely fast style of “wow” painting is going to make them look good to their employees, patrons, customers, and clients.
Melina reminded us today that sometimes we need to stop and think a little bit about the people that helped you get to where you are today. And then you need to spend some time learning 
how to market, not necessarily sell, by putting the problems of your client and customers first before your own. It’s not about why they need to hire you, it’s about what you’re painting or entertaining or whatever creative skill you have is going to do for them. Lastly, the best way to get business is to get out and do the things that are going to help you get more business. Just talking about them, wishing for them or looking at your calendar and hoping, that the phone will ring is not the way to get ‘er done.”
So why am I highlighting Melina? Because even in the midst of the Pandemic lockdown, Melina and her family worked hard to figure out how to provide joy to her raving fans:
- at Easter, they made dozens of drive-by visits as the Easter bunny, to spread joy to families and neighborhoods with children
- she posts frequently about random acts of kindness in her town, and in her extended family, which reminds everyone of human connectivity
- her family delivered 64 buckets of goodness to random workers in groceries, first response teams and service personnel who are sacrificing daily to take. care of essential needs.
Did they do this for income? No, they did it to be kind, to provide smiles, and spread the love for the people who support her business the most. I can guarantee it will be remembered by the recipients of these gifts, as well as the spectators, and the family members who heard all about it after.
What can you do today for your fans, that will be remembered after the Pandemic?
Even now, months into the quarantine, Melina is continuing to make her beautiful “fairy wing bling,” but is also bedazzling her house and nearly anything else, to bring glitter and light to her home, future gifts for patrons and friends, and her environment.
You can find her on Facebook or take a look at her business page by clicking the link.
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