Creating with intention
In three seconds, your story has to align with my needs.
The only reason a person who doesn’t know you is interested in you is because they’re interested in themselves, and they want to know how you will help them.
Your proof is your obsession. Your work shows me whether or not you care.
I can guarantee it WILL change the life of others.
For the next 48 hours, I’m offering a special incentive. Those who donate a minimum of $100 to the Light Campaign will receive a free one hour phone session with yours truly.
Things we can talk about:
You can stalk my LinkedIn profile to see other skills and endorsements I’ve received from clients I’ve worked with.
At the risk of sounding like a marketer, I will tell you this IS a special offer, worth far more in value. You have the opportunity to help yourself, help a community, and feel good about it.
You have until Friday, March 7 at 2pm EST to take advantage. I can’t guarantee I’ll do this again, but I thought it would be a fun way to get the solar project the help it needs. To get started, pledge a minimum of $100 on the indiegogo page, and you’ll be contacted for scheduling. Your free call is good through April 8, 2014, so let’s get moving.
I hope to speak with many of you.
You can have the best concept in the world, but if it’s delivered in the wrong way, there’s a good chance it will end up going nowhere. When you align your message and the way you communicate, you increase your odds that the right people will receive your words at the right time — and do something. This “something” is your desired outcome: buy, share, discuss, donate, publish, apply, act, whatever.
I’ve realized the difference between message and voice can be confusing, as I’ve found myself explaining it to several clients. Here’s a quick refresh on what you say vs. how you say it (and why it matters):
Your message is the underlying concept you’re trying to get across. It’s your idea. Messages direct what you communicate with your audience. Without a clear understanding of your message, your words will fall flat and most likely fail to reach the people you intend to start conversations with.
Voice is a writing device (there are many). The language you choose when you communicate can affect the way your message is received. If you write your monthly alumni newsletter in a casual, flippant manner while looking to solicit donations from an “established audience,” peppering sentences with slang and colloquial language may not be the best choice.
For successful connections, aim to match your message with the manner in which you communicate.
Marketing collateral, an investor pitch, your Best Man’s speech, donor thank you notes, a love letter… writing is everywhere and often holds weight of daunting implications. The mere act of putting pen to page can result in temporary paralysis. To alleviate some of this stress, I’ve outlined basic steps to push your writing forward.
You want your writing to be applicable. This is hard to do if you aren’t thinking about who’s on the receiving end.
What you want to say may look different than what actually ends up on the page. By making your intentions clear, you’ll throw an anchor into the oceanic waters of words and ground your writing as you begin.
Why should I believe what you’re saying? Why do you care? Why should I? Give me facts and show me proof why you are who you say you are, why I should listen, why your message matters.
If you remember nothing else, take this with you:
Most really talented people are never discovered. Most will never make it onto the Best Sellers list, won’t speak at TED, won’t be contacted by NPR.
Chances are you may never find yourself on the big screen. That manuscript? It might end up in more trash cans than hands. And your promising business venture? You’ll be lucky if you get funded within the first ten pitches.
So you have a choice: you can sit back and wait to be called upon…
Or you can claim ownership of your own success.
Steps can you take to build your tribe, ship your art, design a viable solution — today:
Note: This blog post may sound harsh, but I want you to realize this is your life, your career, your dreams, your goals. No one else will take responsibility for them.
The kind of people you want to work with don’t want to see your list of interests and accolades. They don’t care about your work history, what schools you’ve attended, what awards you’ve won.
They want to know what work you’ve put into the world, what you’ve left behind, where you’re going.
Your resume is the communities that miss you after you’ve left, the imprint you leave behind. The relationships you’ve forged, the lives you’ve touched, and the work that sparkles with your finesse — this is your resume.
When you realize this, you’ll be filled with freedom and independence: titles no longer matter, job descriptions are irrelevant, length of employment fails to indicate your loyalty and value.
Why spend another moment waiting for the phone to ring? You’re worth more than that.
What if you created your own tribe, shipped your own art, designed a viable solution? Don’t wait for opportunities that may never find you. Create them. For yourself.
And change lives along the way.