Our Story Is the Bridge

Why Positioning Ourselves Intentionally Matters More Than Ever for Artists and Creatives.

Lately, more and more artists and creatives are coming to me for support with how to position themselves. How to share their work and put themselves out there in a way that opens doors. And I understand why. It’s become increasingly challenging to navigate today’s creative career landscape. Opportunities, funding, and jobs feel harder to access; competition is high, and in some fields, there are simply fewer openings to go around right now.

Standing out and staying true to ourselves feels more difficult.

Over the past year, I’ve found myself working with more and more clients — at every stage of their creative journey — on this very thing. Together, we navigate how to put themselves out there in a way that feels authentic and aligned with who they are, while also reflecting their expertise and ambitions. Whether it’s shaping a website and online presence, preparing funding or job applications, or pursuing new professional opportunities, this work is about much more than visibility. It’s about alignment and connection.

Many of the artists and creatives I coach tell me they dislike the idea of selling themselves or selling their work. I understand that resistance deeply. It can feel uncomfortable or even inauthentic. But when we look at it through the lens of positioning ourselves, the conversation changes. It’s not about selling; it’s about shaping and sharing the story of who we are and what we stand for as creative professionals. That kind of storytelling is deeply generative work. It helps us connect, clarify, and grow. It’s really its own art form.

It’s an art I’ve had to develop myself while building my own creative practice. Learning to tell the story of who I am, not just what I offer. I appreciate that may not come naturally for many of us. Especially introverts like myself. But I’ve come to understand that this kind of storytelling isn’t optional anymore; it’s essential to how we, as artists and creatives, build meaningful and sustainable careers today.

Our story is how we position ourselves. It’s the bridge between who we are and where we want to go. It’s not just what we share, but how we choose to share it that shapes how others experience our work. Every artist and creative has the opportunity to build this bridge with intention through language, tone, imagery and what we choose to shine a light on for others to see.

When we approach storytelling in this way, it stops being about selling and starts being about alignment and connection. Letting ur story reflect the integrity of our practice, professional journey, and the distinct perspective and depth of experience we bring as creative professionals.

In my next piece for paid subscribers to Ways To Be A Creative on Substack, I’ll explore how to align what we offer - and who we are as artists and creatives - with the audiences and opportunities that truly resonate. Practical ways to approach crafting, shaping, and sharing our story so it positions us clearly and powerfully.

Consider becoming a paid subscriber to get access to this next post and more content designed to support your growth as a creative professional.

But for now, I invite you to pause and reflect:

What story are you telling right now — and is it building the bridge you truly want to cross?

Image Credit: Cylla Von Tiedemann