by Sarah Blinco | Jul 18, 2016 | Career and mindset, Lifestyle, Travel Live Learn in the media
After a very nice break away, yesterday I returned to discover a bulging inbox which left me feeling more than a tad overwhelmed, and to make matters worse, one of the first emails I opened turned out to be a lengthy rant about a piece of content I hadn’t complemented with a photo. The feedback was reasonable enough – I had been forced to rush through a digital feature that was to be attached to a marketing email, and the copy had been supplied at the last minute. Because I was extremely short on time, I failed to include a larger photo on this accompanying attached content, and absolutely agree that it would have been the better way forward. No excuses, and I for one am well aware that the best learning usually comes from recognising the mistakes I’ve made (or how I could have improved).
Only thing is, this message from a reader was shared in such a way that it was upsetting, and the tone of voice used was that of an individual who came across (in this email, at least) as one who assumes they know better.
It was really obvious they had not considered:
- My (as the content creator) feelings and the amount of work actually put into the entire body of work in the first place.
- Other time constraints and workload pressures I might be facing.
- All the other things in the overall campaign I’d actually got right!
Do you know the feeling?
Many of you reading this spend much of your day putting yourselves ‘out there’, creatively speaking and otherwise. Whether you are broadcasting on air, writing, blogging, filming, painting or working in PR and communications – it’s all a bit of a risky business for the ego. Some would even say we’re brave for doing it. I know a lot of people who are apprehensive about sharing their ideas, content or stories for fear of any type of criticism.
As content creators and communicators, we are consistently in a position where we need to produce written work or other creative output (videos, social media, blogs, magazine features etc.), and with that opportunity comes the people who are quick to judge our work, and not often in a constructive way.
We’re all pretty used to being ‘judged’, and I think most of the time this actually helps with positive personal and professional growth. Cooper and I began our careers in radio – an industry rife with arrogance and daily criticism of your work! That said, when delivered well, this really can help you become a far better on-air announcer than you ever would without feedback. Similarly, my mentors in publishing consistently showed me better ways to phrase, word, style and so on. This is how we hone a craft. This experience also helps you to develop a thick skin, which is something of a necessity in this and many other lines of work.
Criticism delivered in a negative, thoughtless or hurtful way though (whether intentional or unintentional on the part of the person sharing it), can have an adverse impact on self-esteem and confidence, and for those working in communications and creative industries, it has the potential to cause real problems.
People tend to be quick to pick problems, but very slow to share praise or thanks in the form of emails or comments on social media, websites or blogs. Have you ever been on the receiving end of destructive criticism and what kind of impact did it have on you?
These kinds of experiences remind me to think twice if I catch myself being judgmental and critical of other people’s work, because actually, they’re likely to have put much time and effort into the ideas, reason and production of the content being consumed out there in the public domain (whether you thoroughly enjoy it or not). Sharing feedback on someone’s published work is actually challenging their abilities and ideas, and it’s reasonable to expect that what comes back – if not entirely positive – should be designed to help them grow.
Moral of the story: give feedback constructively not destructively; and if you’re on the receiving end, take the valuable learning from it, and leave the rest at the door.
Today’s challenge: When you see something online today (on social media, a website, news site or blog) that’s helpful, makes you smile or feel inspired, drop a positive comment there to let the person behind it know you appreciate the thought and time they’ve put in.
by Sarah Blinco | Sep 22, 2014 | Career and mindset, Travel Live Learn in the media
I – like many of you, I’m sure – am often approached on platforms like LinkedIn, MeetUp or even via email, and asked questions about media, magazines, social media… I’m usually very happy to help – what goes around comes around.
Sometimes however, when I receive a poorly worded, unresearched note that does not contain polite basics like a please or thank you, or even my name spelled correctly, I do feel like ignoring it. Indeed just this weekend I followed up a person who cold-contacted me online to ask about magazine publishing in a rather brash fashion. I did give the benefit of the doubt, and replied straight away as I happened to have a moment to spare on receipt of his initial note; but would you believe, no thank you in reply. Nothing. When I messaged a few days later to ask if he’d received it ok, prompting a, “yes thank you” (or an opportunity for me to let him know that he really needs to work on being more professional in his approach), I received a barrage of other questions back – many of which he could discover answers for by researching just a little bit in the first place.
Instead of focussing on the negative though, I’d like to highlight the messages my colleagues and I do enjoy replying to. They are messages where spelling is checked, some amount of research is obvious, there’s evidence they know who we are and what we do, and they are composed in a succinct, polite and grateful manner.
You’ll find most professionals are happy to help with ideas, mentoring and advice, whether they be editors, bloggers, publishers, producers, performers, entrepreneurs or any other type of business or service provider. There is an etiquette to cold-contacting someone you don’t know on LinkedIn, Twitter, MeetUp, via email etc. Here are my tips on rules for approaching a professional online about business and life advice:
5 Rules for approaching a professional online about business and life advice or opportunities
1. Be diplomatic, not demanding. Perhaps it doesn’t sound like it in your head, but re-read your correspondence (or better still, have someone check it for you) before you press “send”, to ensure your language is coming across as pleasant, not pushy. Keep it short and to the point. Ask reasonable, sensible questions – it’s not up to the person on the other end to give you the Cliffs Notes on whatever you’re aiming to embark on. That is, I’ve basically been asked in the past, “Start from the beginning – I want to create a lifestyle and fashion magazine, how do I write and publish it?” This is information we take years to learn and build on; as much as I’d like to help, you’ll need to do a little bit more research and training than that.
2. Do your research. If you’re approaching a professional for advice, they’ll spot a mile off whether you’re serious, interested and passionate about your purpose, simply by the language you use and the information shared. Yes, of course it’s tempting to seek short-cuts to making a million (or more) off that awesome idea you’ve just had, but, if you’re ignorant about the topic you’re approaching a pro for advice on, it will shine through. Researching the topic will mean you do not come across as a time-waster, and it would be a shame to lose not only a potential mentor, but respect in the industry, simply because the short-cut option (no research and straight to cold-contacting on LinkedIn) is the one you went for. If you do not want or mean to come across as unprofessional, reconsider your cold-contact approach, and know your subject/passion (as you should, if you’re aiming to build a career out of it).
3. Be respectful. People are busier than ever these days. You can show respect by being strategic with the carefully considered questions you ask, by keeping your correspondence polite and succinct, and by demonstrating you have a genuine interest in what you’re talking or asking about. Assuming you’re liaising with a professional in that field, you can be fairly sure they will be enthusiastic about the topic too – if you demonstrate you are, chances are they’ll consider that you’re “one of them”, and be happy to help if they can spare the time. On the respect note too, it’s always a good idea to provide some kind of link, profile image or bio about who you are – that is, I thought it was quite rude to be approached by someone on one of our most common social platforms with a barrage of questions, but no profile picture, no bio or background on who they are. If you’re attempting to network and gain expert advice from a professional you’ve identified online, it’s no good to be operating anonymously (read: highly unprofessional).
4. Be in allowance of the response you may or may not receive. With so many demands on our lives today – both in the office and at home – I can tell you from personal experience and from knowing how my friends operate, lots of people have good intentions to reply with advice or an offer of help, but sometimes it just doesn’t or can’t happen for whatever reason. A non-reply or slow one isn’t always about you (particularly if you’ve been polite, succinct and professional in your approach). That said, you’ve got nothing to lose by reaching out to people for advice, just please consider the other points – basic business and communication etiquette – I’ve made here when you do so.
5. Be grateful. Time is precious and if you are asking for someone else’s advice or insight (especially in the instance where you don’t know them), that’s a big ask – it’s time you’re actually asking for. Don’t take it for granted just because you can quite simply open up a dialogue box on the computer, type in a message and hit “send”. The digital world has opened up so many wonderful portals for seeking advice, growing networks and learning about anything we desire. If you use it wisely, you have the potential to go far.
In the end, consider the same rules as you would for networking in person. That is, you would usually politely introduce yourself, succinctly sell what you’re all about (remember the “30 second elevator pitch”), show your enthusiasm and interest in the person/what they do, and diplomatically ask carefully-considered questions; then you would say thank you.
What’s your experience been with asking or receiving questions via digital platforms? I’d love to know what you think about rules for approaching a professional online about business or life advice – drop me a line in the comments below.
-Sarah.
PS Here’s some more helpful advice on how to approach industry pros and peers via email – The 5 Rules of Email First Impressions
by Sarah Blinco | Mar 17, 2014 | Travel blogger destinations, Travel Live Learn in the media
AUSTRALIA’S MOST INSPIRING YOUNG WRITERS UNCOVERED
Last week seven of Australia’s brightest writers discovered they were winners in a national student writing competition hosted by Sugoi Media Australasia and Media Bootcamp Australia.
READ THE WINNING ENTRIES
The competition, promoted throughout high school English departments Australia wide, garnered much attention and the standard of entries was exceptionally high. Aspiring writers and media stars were encouraged to submit a piece of up to 500 words in any format (i.e. poem, interview, news story, fiction…) but the work had to relate to the theme “INSPIRE”.
Director of Sugoi Media, Sarah Blinco, says, “The judging panel which consisted of media, publishing and education professionals, was excited and surprised to receive so many high quality entries from across Australia. It was difficult narrowing down to finalists, let alone choosing winners. As it was, we extended the ‘final six’ to include a seventh outstanding and unique entry. It’s been so rewarding liaising with enthusiastic young talent. Too often media spotlights those youngsters behaving badly, and this is an excellent opportunity to promote the quiet achievers − the kids who are smart, hard working and switched on − who actually do deserve the attention.”
Each of the winners achieved their first ever published piece by being showcased on popular lifestyle website, travellivelearn.com, which receives thousands of visits from all over the world each month. They will also enjoy a digital mentoring session with an industry professional as part of their prize, in order to assist them to hone in on individual writing and media goals.
This national writing competition was hosted in conjunction with Media Bootcamp, a world-first digital mentoring and training program designed to provide extra assistance to high achieving English and media students keen on a career in communications, media, publishing, radio or PR. It’s particularly useful for students in the city who want to get a head start on their careers, and students in regional parts of Australia who lack resources and opportunities to be trained and mentored by relevant industry professionals. Media Bootcamp was developed in 2012, has already fostered exceptional young talent around the country, and has assisted a number of students into trainee roles in radio and communications well ahead of the time it usually takes to get a foot in the door of these competitive industries.
–ends–
For further information please contact info(at)sugoimedia.com.
Editors, additional links of interest:
by Guest contributor | Mar 16, 2014 | Travel Live Learn in the media
And an extra special prize because we thought this entry was, well, extra special! We recently hosted an Australia-wide search for writing talent and received an extraordinary response. Students submitted entries based around a theme, “inspire”, and this week we’ve showcased the final six winners, however, there was one additional entry that we really enjoyed, and while every piece we received was excellent, we felt compelled to also publish this one:
Show your support for our winners’ efforts by leaving a comment and sharing their amazing entries on your social media profiles for a few well-deserved likes.
Media Bootcamp national writing competition winner Australia – a badge for extraordinary effort, Patrick Gibb, VIC
When I was about to die, I thought of King Henry the Fifth’s speech, written by Shakespeare. With hindsight, it seems stupid, but those words were the most clarifying I have ever known.
Lying face-down in a ditch, ready for a stray bullet to plunge into my body, a dead friend lying next to me; ice-cold terror gripped at my heart. I was oblivious to the overwhelming enemy gunfire or the screaming of pain from somewhere nearby. But Graham’s eyes pulled me out of the trance just before I was dunked head-first into shock. His eyes should have been green, but in the shadow of the ditch, the blood frozen in his veins, they had turned ocean-blue.
I wasn’t aware I started to cry until much later, but the tears must have pulled me out of my trance. I could hear the roars of the machineguns, and the barks of nearby assault-rifles. To my right were two soldiers behind a rock. Doc was crouching over Macillan, doing his best to patch up the wounds. Macillan was screaming in pain, his sobs piercing my ears. I looked left, past Graham’s body. There were three other guys behind a destroyed car. They were attempting to return fire on the machine-gun nest, to no avail.
I tried to build up my courage to help my squad. I closed my eyes, trying to shut out my heart, which seemed to have taken a jackhammer to my ribcage. I tried to control my breathing, which seemed to be catching onto something in my throat. I felt a warm tear roll down my cheek.
I suppose that’s what hopelessness feels like. I had to do something. Anything. I opened my eyes, and looked into Graham’s blue ones.
“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers”
I gritted my teeth, suddenly furious. And pushed myself off the ground.
“For he to-day that sheds his blood with me”
My gun was in my hands, blood pumping in my ears. I faced the enemy positions head-on, fearless.
“Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile”
I could see the bright muzzle flashes from the windows of the huts. I stepped out of the ditch, breaking into a sprint.
“This day shall gentle his condition”
My boots pounded the grass, enemy guns turned to face me. My team watched in utter astonishment as I charged the machine-gun nest.
“And gentlemen in England now a-bed”
I pulled the trigger as I ran, feeling the recoil of every round against my shoulder. Enemy bullets whipped past me harmlessly.
“Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here”
I grabbed a grenade from my belt, still firing my rifle one-handed. With one fluid movement, I pulled the pin from it.
“And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speak”
I roared out loud, and threw the grenade with all my might, the explosive arcing over the battle, straight into the enemy machine-gun nest.
“That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day”
For Graham.
Patrick, we love this! You’re a talented storyteller and we’re forwarding you a prize to encourage you along the path to your dream career. Keep up the terrific work!
This competition was brought to you by Sugoi Media, Media Bootcamp, Get it Magazine, Get it Media, TravelLiveLearn.com, Hot Tamale Media Australia Pty Ltd
by Guest contributor | Mar 15, 2014 | Travel Live Learn in the media, Traveller tales and interviews
Listen to Lauri’s March 2014 podcast on the book marketing process
There are any numbers of ways for authors to write, market and promote their books. The right way is whatever works for them. It’s a very individual choice. This article is to help people write books that achieve the author’s personal and professional goals.
Marketing is the key to success. A great book without good marketing has very little chance of success; however a decent book with great marketing can be very successful. The earlier a marketing plan is developed and executed, the better the result.
Book marketing process
Start Early
It’s best to start marketing a book is when it’s still in the development phase. Find out what the reader wants early. This will prevent wasting countless hours writing a book that people aren’t interested in reading.
Marketing campaigns should create interest for the book and the author. The idea is to have people hungry for the information included in the book, prior to the launch. By marketing right away and incorporating content marketing strategies, the author will excite and engage potential readers, while moving them closer to the sale.
Mix it Up
A content generation strategy uses content to attract the audience. The best strategies deliver a mix of content that incorporates the three learning styles, which are visual (seeing), auditory (hearing) and kinesthetic (engagement). When I create content marketing campaigns, I focus first on my client’s primary method of delivery, then round out the content with secondary methods. For example, if my client is a writer, most of the content will be delivered in written form. The writings are supplemented with videos, MP3s, photos, music, quizzes, questions, surveys, contests, games, etc. Of course, Social Media platforms are used extensively. We work hard to provide information so valuable that people will eagerly exchange their name and contact information to get it.
Develop As You Go
One easy way to create content is to choose some of the main points of each chapter and write an article about each of them. If you plainly state that the information is from your forthcoming book, people will have their curiosity tweaked. After they see a few of these articles about your book they will be hooked.
Invite people to preorder your book. A savvy web developer could set up a landing page that will support preorders. Make sure to be creative in your requests.
Roll Cameras
Video is another powerful tool in the marketing campaign. People increasingly make purchasing decisions as a result of watching videos. A series of clips promoting the book could dramatically increase orders. One great thing about video is that it works while you sleep; meaning people are tuning in, watching, leaning and thinking about your book while you are free to manage other things.
These are just a few of the things that I use to position my client’s books as bestsellers.
- Did you miss Step One – How to Begin the Book Writing Process? –read more
- Or Step Two – Understanding Your Book’s Reader? –read it now
Stay tuned for Step Four – Author’s Checklist – Know the Parts of Your Book
About the author
Speaker, author, TV host of Focus Forward, Lauri Flaquer has extensive entrepreneurial and media experience. As founder of Saltar Solutions, she guides her clientele of international business owners to excel as entrepreneurs. Formally in TV production at NBC, CNBC and Bloomberg LP, Lauri produces/ hosts Focus Forward, a show dedicated to helping entrepreneurs soar! Lauri has been the publicist and marketing director for several best-selling book campaigns. To learn more about marketing contact Lauri or Tweet her, @SaltarSolutions.
Are you in the process of writing a book, or have you just finished one? We’d love it if you left a comment below, or found us on Facebook or Twitter. And if you think others would find this series useful, go ahead and share.
by Guest contributor | Mar 15, 2014 | Travel Live Learn in the media
Rounding off our winners, here’s another from VIC: We recently hosted an Australia-wide search for writing talent and received an extraordinary response. Students submitted entries based around a theme, “inspire”, and this week we’re showcasing the final six winners (in no particular order).
Show your support for their efforts by leaving a comment below and sharing their amazing entries on your social media profiles for a few well-deserved likes.
Media Bootcamp national writing competition Australia – Danni Tzivakis, VIC
I wake up as light starts to pour through the window. My shoulders are sore from being hunched up from the cold and my back aches from lying on my thin, air-depleted mattress that rests on hard concrete. I have been showering in a river and using a squat toilet.
And I have never been happier in my life.
I sigh with absolute joy. I walk outside, and let my eyes feast on the spectacular view of the green mountains looming above. Surrounding me are bamboo huts and children running through the field kicking a deflated soccer ball, laughing merrily. In the distance, the construction site anticipates its completion so that more dedicated children can be educated.
I stare through the open window of a classroom – I have taught a class of forty grade three students in there. I smile at the memory of yesterday and how I had them all standing up exuberantly singing ‘Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’. When they sang it all by themselves my heart jumped with delight; I felt like a proud mother as I watched.
But my favourite part of the day is playing with the kids.
Yesterday Say and I were racing up an uneven dirt hill; I lost my footing and fell over. He had already scrambled up to the top, but turned, holding out his hand to help me up. Then he scuttled all the way up a tree, and came back down with a bunch of lovely yellow flowers that he proudly presented to me. We held hands and skipped through the village then I grabbed his hands and spun him around until we both got dizzy. He is the sweetest eleven year old I’ve ever met.
What I’ve learnt here is that happiness comes from the simple things; not a fancy car, a luxurious house or a well-paying job. Putting a grin on a child’s face or seeing them light up with laughter – that is what makes me truly happy. I wake up every day to picturesque mountains instead of a dull suburban street full of dull houses and greedy, complaining people. I would much rather be here and forego the unnecessary luxuries of beds, hot showers and televisions. Obviously people are happier without them anyway.
Here it is so easy to be happy; back home I usually only feel happy when I get an A+ on an exam, but here I walk outside, hi-five a kid and my heart flutters with happiness.
The people here do not live to make money, they are not consumed by greed; they purely live for joy and for community.
First world countries have a lot to learn from the third world.
I am making a difference and it feels good.
I feel inspired; I am inspired by these kids and their joy, by this village and its simplicity. Being here has sparked something in me that this is what I want to do, and here is where I want to be.
Danni, congratulations on being one of our six 2014 national winners. We were inspired by your entry – it certainly belongs right here on a space about travelling, living and learning. We hope you’ll endeavour with all three of those elements in your life.
This competition was brought to you by Sugoi Media, Media Bootcamp, Get it Magazine, Get it Media, TravelLiveLearn.com, Hot Tamale Media Australia Pty Ltd
