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  • Most of the Time Talent’s Not Enough

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    You’re a talented writer, designer, speaker, consultant, coach, salesperson, but doors aren’t flying open for you. Why not? Talent, I’m afraid, is assumed – a lot of people have talent. It’s the price to get into the game. Talent, married with creativity, however, is how you get out of the cheap seats. (In fact, creativity will allow you to get places with lesser talent than others – oops, potential self indictment)

    If you want to make your talent pay off than you’ve got to come up with creative ways to show people how your talent can get them more of what they want (Hint: It’s not about your talent)

    If you want to write for a publication, don’t send them your articles, show them how you could help them sell subscriptions, introduce them to potential advertisers and generally bring them more readers – oh, and yes, write a whale of a feature too!

    If you want to speak, don’t send your brilliant DVD, go to an organization and show them how you can put on a workshop that will benefit their clients AND you’ve got another organization that wants to partner with them so it would also be a good way to meet some prospects too.

    If you want partner with a large organization, don’t send them your brochure, do your homework and find a way to help them partner with a non-profit agency in a way that helps everyone.

    If you want another business to refer you, don’t just ask, put the tools in their hands that will allow them take advantage of your talent while getting more of what they want.

    Use your talent to create, teach, develop and distribute information and tools and then give it all away in creative partnership proposals. That’s how you use your talent to get to the front row.

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    Posted by: John Jantsch on Jun 13, 07 | 9:09 pm
    Category: Positioning | Tags:

    Comments
    • Ian
      Hard Work beats Talent, if Talent doesn't Work Hard...
    • yea i see what the point is but i see so may people who are creative and hardworking with out talent that make it. Not many people with loads of talent and no drive do.

      I do aggree with your point though in general i just think often hard work seems to get some people along way supprisingly sometimes.

      I suppose what i'm saying is a differnt angle and probable doens't really cross with what your saying.
    • John, you're so right. I've always said that it's about showing people/companies the benefits in everything you do or propose. Once they see how they will gain from whatever it is you have to offer, their levels of interest increase.
    • I think hard work and perseverance are a good addition to creativity and talent; no doubt. But, hard work and perseverance without creativity is called grinding. This will pay off sometimes, but I agree that adding creativity in the manner John suggests will improve results dramatically.

      Whenever you find that grinding has just become a grind, go for a hike or a run and clear your mind. Then get back to work, but instead of grinding some more spend your time thinking of creative ways to get results. This will likely make all the difference.
    • John Jantsch
      Derek,

      I guess you could add that, but I still think coming up with creative ways to package and promote your talent will beat hard work every day.
    • I don't disagree with you that talent isn't enough most of the time.

      I would say though that instead of
      "Talent, married with creativity, however, is how you get out of the cheap seats."

      "Talent, married with hardwork/perseverance, however, is how you get out of the cheap seats."
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