One Producer in the City

Lessons from my first year of business: The fire of your followers

When you start your own business there is a very basic principal that goes into effect immediately. You are selling a product or service and you need people to buy the product or service. If they do not buy the product or service, you quickly go out of business. 

If you are a large company with substantial funding behind you, then usually there is a team that is hired to help sell the product or service. A system is usually in place and people are trained with the sole purpose of selling the product or service and the business either thrives or dies based on that team. 

When it is just you and no funding, then you are the one who sells the product or service at the same time that you are doing the admin work for the company, developing partnerships, taking meetings, and developing the business. You do not have a sales team so you need to find one. Chances are you can't pay for one, so what do you do?

You find the people who are the most passionate about the work you do. I like to refer to this as the fire of your followers. Some customers will enjoy what you do for them and some will absolutely love it. The ones who love your service have a flame going for your business and your job is to fuel that fire.

Give these people the tools to tell their friends about you, develop mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships, and these people will be the best sales team possible. 

Ignore these people and it's going to get really cold really fast. 

So if someone is kind enough to refer you, thank them and help them. Stoke the fire because it will catch on and the more followers filled with fire for you that you have the further your business will go.

Then you'll really be cooking.

Excelsior! 

Don't forget tomorrow is Awesome Person Thursday! If you want to feature someone awesome on the blog, email me! 

P.S.- There's a new Solving for X coming up and there are only a few seats left. Grab them here. 

5 Marketing choices that annoy me, and most likely lose business

I have recently been the target of a lot of marketing. My guess is that this is probably due to the number of networking events I attend and my open nature. As a result I have seen some really poor choices and wanted to highlight them here to save any marketer out there from losing more customers. 

1. If you only leave one form of contact, you lost me- I recently got something where the ONLY way I could contact the person providing the service was by phone. No email, no website to visit, no mailing address. I'm sorry but if you appraoch me that way, I'm most likely not going to answer.

2. If I didn't give you permission, don't talk to me like I did- It's one thing to get a request to be on someone's email list and it is another thing entirely to just be randomly added to it. The cute little "If you don't want to be on my list, just let me know!" says to me that you didn't care enough to ask me to be on it and now I have to take extra time to take it off. 

3. Once a day is tough enough, more than that, I better have opted in- If a blast tells me when signing up that I will receive 3 emails a day and it's providing value, I'm happy to have it in my inbox. If there is no warning and I keep getting hit, chances are I will unsubscribe and tell my friends. 

4. Didn't I unsubscribe?- This one is probably the worst. There are some companies out there, that no matter how much you unsubscribe, they still seem to find their way back. I'm likely to just delete and unsubscribe again and complain if the email "magically" returns

5. No one told me I had to do this- If you are offering something "free of charge, no strings attached" then it is considered a gift. Gifts are given freely with no additional rules and regulations once someone decides to receive it. If you are not giving a gift and this item I am being given is in exchange for my permission, say so. There's nothing worse than getting to the party, then finding out it's a two drink minimum to be there. 

The best marketing focuses on the consumer and treats the consumer with respect and dignity. The internet has made us much more savvy. We can see the tricks now and the less open you are with us the less we will buy. 

Take heed marketers, a change is in the wind. 

Excelsior! 

Back to school book list

This summer I did a lot of reading and found some great books. Below is a list of the books I picked up recently. I highly recommend checking them out!

The Tipping Point- I have been told numerous times to read this one, but didn't get a chance until this summer when someone told me I absolutely had to. I'm glad I did. This is a great book if you are curious as to how things become big. 

The Entrepreneur Equation- Another excellent book by business woman Carol Roth, who also has a a great blog. This book gives you very concrete methods to figuring out if entrepreneurship is the right fit for you.

The E Myth Revisited- If you are starting a business this is a must. It gives you tools to figure out how to work on your business instead of in it. Yes, there's a difference.

The War of Art- One of the most insightful books about art I have ever read. Pressfield digs deep into the challenges the artist faces every day and comes through with inspiration to take things to the next level.

Anything you want- A short fun read by Derek Sivers of CD Baby fame. This book will cause you to re-think your approach to starting a project. 

And there you have it. I'll expect full reports on each by tomorrow morning ;)

Excelsior! 

Awesome Person Thursday: John Dapolito

Last week I introduced the concept of Awesome Person Thursday and actress Mara Lee Gilbert rose to the challenge. Thanks Mara for introducing us to someone awesome!

Have someone awesome you want to talk about? Email me and we'll get them into the rotation!

Excelsior!

Hi Michael!

My name is Mara Lee Gilbert, an actress who just recently joined The Actor's Project!  I came to your blog through your website, which was sent out by Bobby Holder in his "Monologue Challenge Judge Highlights" emails! And what a coincidence I read your Awesome Person Thursday entry this Thursday morning!  In any case, I have a person to add to your cue: John Dapolito. 

He is my current acting coach and I have NEVER learned so much from one person about this business as I have learned from him.  He is a playwright, director, teacher and business coach, adamantly supporting and urging his students FORWARD, to find what they uniquely bring as actors and actresses to this business. He says, "If your art hasn't led you to 'who you are,' then it has failed you."  It is in this philosophy that he helps his students understand what they naturally bring to their work and how to use that to their advantage - he calls it The Acting Niche. This is not to be confused with "type-casting," but allows the actor to understand that his/her natural essence (what makes that fire burn in his/her gut) leads them to their unique place in this crazy business. Through his classes he teaches his actors confidence in themselves and he brings their acting skills to A-Game level! And he's always there to make you laugh or give you a hug when you need one. He definitely deserves Awesome Person Thursday recognition!  

I love this idea and can't wait to read about all the awesome people out there! 

Thanks again Mara! And stay tuned next week for another Awesome Person!

Your network and Christmas lights

I know, I know. 

We're not even in the fall yet, and I'm talking about Christmas. 

Actually this post has nothing to do with the holiday. Just the lights.

When you network effectively you are creating a series of connections. Each connection links to the other which ultimately links back to you. The main question then is how do you keep that network operating at its maximum capacity? 

You treat it like Christmas lights.

With Christmas lights they usually end up very tangled and you have to go through and sort them out until you have a string of lights that can easily be hung on the tree. 

With your contacts, chances are they are not organized in any way, so you have to go through them to identify who you know and organize accordlingly. 

With Christmas lights you need to check every bulb because if one goes out they all go out.

With contacts you need to make sure you are staying in touch so that you don't lose that connection or end up being seen as that guy/girl who only comes around when they need something. 

With Christmas lights all you have to do is plug into the wall once and the entire tree is lit.

With you contacts, all you need to do is engage with the network via newsletter or gathering and you'll see a powerful loyalty at work. Everyone in a network becomes activated when the catalyst is encouraging network sharing. 

So get out those lights and untangle them!

It's gonna be a great season. 

Excelsior! 

End of Summer Support

When I opened up my inbox this morning I encountered a number of emails all asking for end of summer support. After the festivals, shows, concerts, etc. many companies like the race car above need help to get back on the road. Today I thought I'd highlight some of those projects for you. If any of these folks are doing something that excites you, I urge you to show your support and keep them going. 

Also, if you really enjoy this blog, you can also show your support for yours truly by telling people about the blog, letting them know about Solving for X, or My consulting services. 

On to the list.

Boomerang's 100 Hamiltons- Many of you know that I serve on the board of Boomerang because I think they do great work and I want to help that work continue to grow. They are doing a very special campaign for 100 Hamiltons and you can fin out more about them and support them here. 

Time Between Us- As NYMF draws closer many young producers are out there with numerous crowd sourcing funding campaigns. The team behind this musical have a a little bit of time left and are more than half way to their goal. Consider helping make their dream a reality by clicking here.

Manhattan Theatre Source- Many people including myself have used the source over the years for our shows and have found them to be a great resource for building community and developing new work. As they enter another tumultuous year seeking funding, they would love for us to lend a hand. Click here to do so

Ribbon- My dear friend Rebecca has been working on producing this short film and has put in a monumental effort. They are working towards a pretty big goal and I think they can make it. Click here to show them your support.

Why give to any of these folks?

Because it shows that there is support out there for these artists and their dreams. Also, if you show your support now for someone else, you'll have some great karma for the future. So go on and give if you can and I'll see you on the other side. 

Excelsior! 

Guest blog #49- Outside Inside goes Fringe-side

This week's guest blog comes from a new company who is making their mark in this year's Fringe Festival with a tale about kid genius disillusion. More info below from the show's writer. Enjoy and Excelsior!

Outside Inside in partnership with HUBO Productions presents 

Chagrin
by Michael Ross Albert 

Chagrin is a new one-act play receiving its world premiere in the 15th Annual New York International Fringe Festival. This touching and sad comedy is set outside of a small town hospital, where four estranged friends are unexpectedly reunited. Fifteen years ago, these child geniuses rose to mega-stardom on a popular TV game show. Now, brought together by a tragic accident, they must grapple with their collective past in the place where it all began – Chagrin Falls.

Chagrin is a comedy about failure, forgiveness, and friendship. It is a nostalgic look back on the fragmented lives of former prodigies who never managed to live up to their staggering potential. The play explores the effects of celebrity on youth, and the tenuous bonds formed by old friends.

Performing at the historic LaMaMa's First Floor Theatre, Chagrin is the inaugural production of Outside Inside. Founded in 2011 by graduates of the Actors Studio Drama School, Outside Inside’s mission is to produce new plays written, directed, and performed according to the tenets of the influential Stanislavsky “System,” and the philosophies of the world-renowned Actors Studio.

In the company's first production, recent graduates of the Actors Studio Drama School's MFA program come together to perform this humorous and heartbreaking story of failed friendship. The acting company is comprised of artists from Australia, Canada and the United States.

This world-premiere production is presented in partnership with HUBO, an independent production company, which aims to expose the complexity of the individual. HUBO hopes to ignite and reinvigorate humanity’s self-perspective through the arts, thus the use of the slogan “Raw Artistry Exposed”. HUBO encourages artistry through practical means, and dedicates its art to stimulate the mind, however unconventional and unfamiliar.

Chagrin is directed by Adam Levi. It stars Marco Agnolucci, Heath Carr, Suzy Kimball, and Melissa Rosenberer. Kaitlyn Samuel serves as Associate Producer/ Assistant Director. The production features scenic and lighting design by Brandon Stock, and costume design by Lara de Bruijn. Leah Filley serves as stage manager.

Chagrin performs as part of The 15th Annual New York International Fringe Festival at:
 

VENUE #8: The First Floor Theater @ the LaMaMa 

(74A East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue and Bowery). 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.fringenyc.org or call 866.468.7619.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

FRI 8/12 @ 7:15-8:15 (Opening Night!)
SUN 8/14 @ 4:15-5:15 
WED 8/17 @ 10:00-11:00 
THR 8/18 @ 4:00-5:00 
SAT 8/20 @ NOON-1:00

 

Introducing Awesome Person Thursday!

The fact that I am writing this blog a few hours after it is supposed to be posted, has made me aware yet again of how busy I am right now. 

In some instances I don't get a chance to blog at all, so I thought I would give others a chance to use the platform and hopefully get a little more exposure for themselves rather than letting the space remain blank. 

Introducing Awesome Person Thursday

On Thursday there will be blog posts about people who are awesome at what they do. 

Here's the catch:

They cannot write about themselves. 

If there is someone awesome in your life who you think deserves recognition, submit a blog post about them and why they are so awesome. If you think you're awesome (And you are) Ask a friend to write about you. 

Shoot me an email with your post and I'll add them to the cue.

Let's get some awesome people on the blog every Thursday!

Excelsior! 

 

Lessons from my first year of business: The epoxy dynamic

Have you ever used epoxy?

It's a really interesting process.

Basically, there are two tubes of goo. You have have to squirt both types out at the same time and then mix them together as fast as you can. Then immediately you need to use it to stick two things together. If you wait too long, it dries and you can't use it all.

One of things I learned this year was that there is an epoxy dynamic involved in starting a business that applies directly to the people you connect with. It works as follows:

Someone will refer you to a person who serves the same clientel but in a different way from you. So for example: You're an acting coach and you get an introduction to a vocal coach. 

The goo has left the tube.

You follow up with that person and meet with them to see how you can work together and it becomes most effective if there is a complete mixing of your two elements, as with the epoxy. So in other words, you figure out a way that you can work together and add value to one another's business. If you are just referring one another work now and again, then you are not mixing and most likely you are not creating something sticky from a marketing standpoint. Conversely, if you meet and figure out a way to tie one another's services into your existing client offering, then you have something that is ultra sticky.

Apply the mixture now. 

Actively seek out a client and offer them the additional added value. This will make your service seem much more comprehensive and will put money in both you and your partner's pockets. 

Two things are essential for epoxy to work: A quick mixing and a fast application.

If you can find a partner and see a business opportunity, mix it up right now. 

Otherwise you'll just have a pile of goo on the table.

What a waste. 

Excelsior! 

Lessons from my first year of business: You can't just add water, you need the mix

I'm a big fan of drink mix and the reason for this is simple: A few scoops of mix, a little water and I have at least 2 quarts of lemondae, iced tea, etc. 

For this reason it's easy to take the mix for granted because I just add water. 

What is not always made clear is how much time goes into creating the mix. If there is too much sugar, or too little of any ingredient, the mix will not taste good and the drink will not be as good. In addition, if I add too much mix it may be too sweet and if I add too little it may taste like water. 

In my first year of business I operated under the "just add water" assumption. I figured, come up with a service and just add customers and then you make money. 

What I learned was that each and every service is just as complicated as creating mix and each and every service requires very specific amounts of work. The most important thing I learned was that mix runs out and you either have to make more or get new mix. 

That list serve where all of your customers are coming from is not a bottomless source, nor is any advertising platform you're on. 

Every day is a new frontier to find new customers, develop an existing service or create a new one. 

Adding water is the easy part. 

Making good mix is hard.

Make good mix and you'll be in business longer. Trust me. 

Excelsior!