Berlin Design Talk: Gentle Sales
The Berlin Design talks bring experts to Berlin’s creative community via remote talks. We skip the fluff to focus on the essential business skills designers need to thrive, from pricing to client acquisition.
This talk is for designers who hate "selling." We’re ditching pushy tactics for a human-centric approach. You'll learn how to replace rigid scripts with authentic storytelling, making sales feel like a natural extension of your creative process rather than a chore.
What to Expect
Most designers would rather do just about anything but sales. The word brings up images of pushy tactics, awkward networking, and trying to convince people to buy things they might not really want.
So instead, many designers avoid selling altogether. They rely on referrals, hope the next project lands at the right time, and tell themselves things like: “I don’t want to be pushy.” “I hate cold calling.” “Great work should sell itself.”
In this class, Penny will show you a different way to approach sales; one that feels natural, human, and aligned with how you actually want to do business. Instead of scripts or pressure tactics, you’ll learn a simple, proven framework for crafting authentic sales stories that resonate, the mindset shifts that eliminate sleazy selling, and how to win clients through genuine conversations.
In this class, you’ll discover:
A simple, proven framework for crafting authentic sales stories that resonate and stick
The key mindset shifts that remove the fear and sleaze from selling
How to win clients through real conversations — not scripts or pressure tactics
By the end, you’ll see that sales isn’t about being someone you’re not. It’s actually about being more of your wonderful self.
Meet Penny Blackmore
Based in Berlin, Penny is a business specialist and former Olympic gymnast who brings a rare "life-first" perspective to the world of sales. With over a decade of experience working with everyone from tech giants like Twitter to high-performing freelancers, she helps creatives build businesses rooted in integrity rather than just growth for growth's sake. Whether she's writing for The Guardian or leading her Sales for Freelancers program, Penny specializes in making sales skills feel human, accessible, and completely non-negotiable in a competitive market.
Website | Substack | LinkedIn
Berlin Design e.V.
Website | Instagram | LinkedIn
Check out our public community platform BDN or subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to stay updated.
Feel free to reach out at
[email protected]