So what's an 'entrepren-artist'? Fair question, and here's the fair answer: it's the only kind of artist that will exist going into the future. I truly believe that if you're not on this planet providing products and/or service to ?others - if you're one of the many artists, entrepreneurs or even employees who walk around feeling like the world owes you something because you're so great - you're on your way to poverty. I guarantee that if you don't seek to become valuable in some way to the people you value, you WILL lose them. And who wants to be a loser?

Hustlin' is usually a nickname for sales of some sort and as we all know, sales is the number-one talent needed to amass wealth (please don't confuse this with "trappin," since crack and dope sells itself - real hustlin' may force you to sell ice to the Eskimo). What is the first thing everyone sells everyday? Themselves! Have you ever walked in a restaurant or a store and had someone blow your vibe enough that you just walked out? This salesperson was so bad, they couldn't even close a sale the customer wanted to make! You first sell yourself to the customer or you will sell nothing at all. Here are my top 10 tips:

1. Image- No one likes a loser. How do you look? Honestly? Do you look like the fifth member of D4L who didn't get a check? Why? If it's always better to stand out, do you? Or do you look like a Lil Wayne clone?

2. Speaking Ability- Practice, practice, practice. Stop talking like you chewin' on a Black & Mild. Write a sales pitch and practice that. Few skills will serve you as well, especially as an artist.

3. Your Attitude- It really does determine your altitude. People respond to enthusiasm. Go in knowing that if you think you can, or if you think you can't, you're absolutely right.

4. Rapport- It's the connection, the bond you form, the common ground you find with the prospect. How warm a vibe do you create? Can you make a potential customer smile? We all know when you first meet, the prospect is usually thinking, "Who the hell are you and why should I care?" That's normal. If you walk away and they're STILL thinking that, it's a problem.

5. Product/Audience Knowledge- Might sound simple, but you can't be convincing if you don't know your product. It also helps incredibly when you know exactly who you're selling to. How well you know each determines how much of a genius - or an idiot - you appear to be.

6. Preparedness- This what you're doing right now, for instance, by reading this. Preparation builds confidence when you've done it - or destroys it when you haven't. Have you ever heard that most don't plan to fail, they just fail to plan?

7. Creativity- How do you make certain you stand out from your competition? How do you follow up with contacts in a way that doesn't just beg for the sale?

8. Reputation- Your credibility, street or otherwise, says a lot about you. The way your rep precedes you can definitely open doors - or close them.

9. Swagger- How do you put all the elements together to form your package? ?Do you exude confidence or do you move around like a nerd? Do you come off like you really belong in prison and just ain't been caught yet? If so, it could be hurtin' your sales a little.

10. Desire to Help- This is last because it's the most important of them all. This goes back to the opening statement doesn't it? We're all on this big ball of dirt to serve mankind. Your desire to truly help others shines through all the other bullshit you may not be as sharp with. Does your desire-to-help side outweigh your greedy side?

HaZiQ aLi is a top-selling, motivational hip-hop artist/speaker as well as a branding consultant who has worked with everyone from Yung Joc to T-Pain. Find him at uCanDOitmusic@gmail.com, Twitter and www.HaziqAli.wordpress.com.