Even your artistic peers. Don't listen to their misguided advice on how to promote and sell yourself as a creative person. Along the way I've also enjoyed conducting creativity workshops, hosting a local cable TV show, doing theatre, dabbling in acrylic painting and helping bands put together press kits. I've been blessed with a good life that revolves around many satisfying creative activities. I've been successful at it because I use the same creative thinking techniques when marketing and promoting myself as I use when crafting my music, art or writing.
Creativity is what counts.
I wasn't born into a wealthy family. I'm certainly not a super salesman, and I don't have a Type A, high-achiever personality. However, it seemed so many people around me felt as if they were victims of circumstance, that life handed them their fate and they were just along for the ride. That wasn't good enough for me. So I came to the conclusion that our lives are simply a reflection of our thoughts.