Pricing confidence for creative businesses, with Miriam Schulman

Pricing isn’t the problem—meaning is. The Dead Pixels Society sits down with author and podcaster Miriam Schulman to unpack the mindset and mechanics behind selling creative work without racing to the bottom. From her journey off Wall Street into a thriving art career, Schulman shares a practical framework for moving past fear, charging premium prices with confidence, and helping buyers answer the real question on their minds: Am I worth this investment?

Schulman explains the belief triad—belief in yourself, in your product, and in your buyer—and why that third piece is the missing ingredient in most pitches. Instead of listing specs, she shows how to sell the destination, not the plane: the captured safari shot you would have missed, the portrait your grandkids will treasure, the brand identity that finally fits. Schulman explains how price signals trust, why “reassuringly expensive” can convert better than discounts, and how to align your personal story with what collectors and clients value.

Sustainability matters as much as the initial win. You’ll learn the four-hour rule for creative genius, what to stop doing immediately, and what to double down on to build a lasting business. She also tackles AI with a clear-eyed take: it’s a powerful car that needs a skilled driver. Use tools that save time—smart prompts, clipping, research assistants—while protecting the original ideas that make your work irreplaceable.