The Prequel to Your Show

April 26, 2009 by Mary Wynne-Wynter · Comments Off 

simulated-cosmos

I’m a big Battlestar Galactica fan. I’ve watched most episodes several times to understand the story’s complex arcs, but always had some unanswered questions. The producers and writers clearly wanted to challenge the audience, and succeeded.

Despite my passion for BSG, my expectation for the recent first episode of the prequel, Caprica, was fairly low. The initial reviews were lukewarm so I figured it wouldn’t live up to the BSG series and might confuse me. I was wrong. It was great.

Since watching it, I’ve been thinking about the value of the backstory to bloggers, speakers and solo professional and creative practitioners.

You know how the prequel is usually done in business. The writer or speaker either begins with, or interjects some version of “now let me tell you a little bit about myself”. Its a literal and linear approach, although sometimes effectively interjecting anecdote and humor as it explains. The Ron Moore (BSG and Caprica Executive Producer) approach is much more interesting. It doesn’t explain, it unfolds. The audience has to be more attentive in order to connect the slender threads between past and present. So its a compelling and inclusive user experience and not a boring account.

Your backstory can be woven through your content. Its your personal myth: defining moments, experiences, insights, synchronicity, dreams, joy, metaphor, suffering and learning that you made happen or let happen and that changed you. Your readers, viewers and listeners won’t be bored, and they won’t be confused about what they really most want to know: who are you?

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Filed under: Content, authenticity, inclusion, metaphor, personal brand, self-expression, writing
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Solo PSF Business Models - Pt 2

April 8, 2009 by Mary Wynne-Wynter · Comments Off 

In Pt 1: Evaluating solo professional service business models, I pointed out the importance of building content assets. I included this old slide that is somewhat outdated but I think still highly relevant.

A few readers asked: what do you mean by build system (or process) assets?

Going Solo Presentation - Babson:2005 - Mary Wynne-Wynter

Going Solo Presentation - Babson:2005 - Mary Wynne-Wynter

The systems I refer to are unique to the solo professional who may also license or own systems such as financial planning or CAD. You might take your unique systems and process for granted, until or unless you’re expected to deliver equivalent value differently.

The tools you use may be widely available, simple, open source or even free. But how you use, integrate and continually refine and upgrade them to service, support and (hopefully) delight your clients is valuable asset.

For example, I integrate wiki’s, social media tools, tagging and rss feeds as an integral shared learning system between me and my clients. Anyone “could” do it, but I’m the one who does it. Simple does not necessarily mean “easy to copy”.

The solo business model you choose may preclude your building system assets. That may work out great for you as long as you’re aware of, and take the time to evaluate, the pros and cons of the model you choose.

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Filed under: Content, Creativity, Natural influence, career, differentiation, global microbrand, going solo, job shift, self-awareness, solo psf
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Solo PSF Business Models - Pt 1

April 8, 2009 by Mary Wynne-Wynter · Comments Off 

I was recently talking to a friend, a marketing professional, who was leaving her job to go out on her own. When I asked her if she wanted ongoing contract work, specific projects or to design her own program(s), she said it really didn’t matter to her.

That conversation reminded me of a workshop I gave at Babson 4 years ago about Solo Professional Services. I dug up what I considered the key slide, and the one that caused the most confusion. The audience didn’t understand the evaluation criteria: “building assets”.

Going Solo Presentation - Babson:2005 - Mary Wynne-Wynter

Going Solo Presentation - Babson:2005 - Mary Wynne-Wynter

The presentation is somewhat outdated, but I think that confusion about building assets still exists. A model based on branded content ownership and control is not the recommended model for everyone. But as de-jobbing accelerates and independent professional service providers fill the gap, its more important than ever to fully evaluate and understand the short and long-term implications of the model you choose to provide your services.

Related Post: Solo PSF Business Models - Pt 2

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Filed under: Content, Creativity, career, global microbrand, going solo, job shift, solo psf
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You Don’t Need to Botox Your Blog

March 9, 2009 by Mary Wynne-Wynter · Comments Off 

Recently, a female celebrity remarked that she’s against Botox because it takes the “warmth” out of a person’s face. I think the result is a blandness and sameness. I see a lot of that in blogs,too.

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Sometimes they’re too long. The subject may be interesting and the post well written, but it could’ve delivered the same value in 1/4 the length. They have a “sucking up all the air space” and boring quality that we dread in presenters.

Sometimes they try too hard to retrofit the content to some idealized blog format and the main points get lost. They use too many sub-headings and popular keywords that unnecessarily break up the flow or try to hide that there is no flow. They have a “that’s nice but I don’t really get what you’re trying to say” quality.

Sometimes they’re too reductionist. They over-simplify and strip the rigor and critical thinking out of every strategic and creative topic (including creativity!), reducing it to some version of 10 tips or 7 steps. They have an “I’ve heard it all before - please tell me something I don’t already know” quality.

I’m sure there’s many tactical reasons for the above: wider appeal, standardization, SEO/SEM, less risk. And like a Botox face, they can be very attractive and successful. But they just don’t inspire.

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Filed under: Creativity, WordPress, authenticity, creative habit, differentiation, self-expression, writing
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RedShift News for Subscribers

December 11, 2008 by Mary Wynne-Wynter · Leave a Comment 

Thanks subscribers! I hope you’ve been enjoying my monthly newsletters. Unfortunately, Zookoda, my email/blog service is shutting down Jan. 1 so this will be the final edition in this format. I have another email service through Feedburner that I’ve moved my subscriber list to. The difference is that every blog post will be emailed; but the privacy and security is the same, or better, and you can unsubscribe with a single click. Generally, I post once a week. I hope you’ll like the change and and will recommend it to others.

The other change I’d like to mention is my fee structure for my consulting and creative programs. I’ve made my fees more fluid and flexible and write about that in a post that follows called Alignment Pricing.

Many of you are local and I hope to see you over the holidays. Community, both local and online, is the gift I’m most thankful for this year because it provides so much support and connection in times of extreme change. I appreciate each and every one of you and value your precious attention. I hope your holidays are peaceful and joyful. - mary

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Filed under: Community, Consciousness, Content, Creativity
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