Marketing Your Art

Well, here I am marketing…and marketing…and marketing. I had a conversation with a friend about the necessity of it, but we both admitted it that it was extremely difficult. And I think it’s the total antithesis of what we do that makes it so difficult. Here we are, creating (performance, writing, otherwise) and then we have to put on the business hat and tell complete strangers how good we are and why they should consider our art. So…my question is: what are your experiences conducting business (either cold-calling, prepping publicity, etc) to get the word out there on your art?