I’ve been thinking a lot lately about systems of old and how they use to hold us back from reaching for our dreams. For instance, if you wanted to publish a book, you had to write a query letter and be at the mercy of sometimes limited thinking publishing companies.
Or if you wanted to make a film or documentary, you had to run around like a wild person and plead for a production company or studio to help bring your project to life.
In the case you were an innovator, you had to find distributors and try to convince them that your product was worthy.
Fast forward to late 2011 and now we have the ability to be our own publishers, our own production companies, and product distributors via our personal computers. Yeeehawww! Now that’s a lot of power to hold!! The only thing that limits us is our outlook, creativity, and resourcefulness.
Let’s take my three above scenarios to reveal what an amazing age we are living in…
1. Writing and publishing a book. The first step is to write your heart out. Second, is to create a simple blog or Website, open a Paypal or Google Checkout account, and learn how to post your book with link to purchase via Paypal or Google Checkout. Third, create e-book publisher accounts on Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and other key publishers. Once you’ve finished your book and edited it carefully, you can post it on your Website and/or within various online stores and advertise it via Google and social media. Done!
In the case that your e-book goes bananas and sells millions of copies, publishers will be knocking down your door. In today’s world, chasing a publisher may take years…now we can do it ourselves! The secret is to just get your work out there and get eyeballs on it, rather than letting it sit on your computer hard drive until you’re old and gray.
2. Make a movie. The same is true where movies and documentaries are concerned. Invest your time and effort into creating something that people will love. Give the world a teaser…and then sell your movie via iTunes or your savvy Website. You can even get creative and go after product placement deals within your movie…you’ll just need to prove that potentially millions of eyeballs will see your flick. The sky is the limit!
3. Releasing a new product. The key is to fill a need for humanity. If you think your product idea has the ability to solve problems and/or inspire people, the only thing that limits you is your ability to promote it. Thanks to the Web, it is possible to launch a new product within moments once it’s been produced.
Throughout my marketing career, I’ve learned that there are many amazing products out there…but…if the marketing effort isn’t there…they tend to fade into oblivion. Beyond delivering innovative, high-quality products, we must find the right method for advertising and marketing. Once a product starts selling in masses, distributors will be knocking down the door to become a part of our visions.
As the new year approaches, think deeply on how you can improve the lives of others…follow your passions…and open your eyes to possibility! Looking for help in guiding your vision, I’d love to assist you…e-mail me at jen@projectbebold.com. Also, feel free to scroll down and comment below to share your ideas and thoughts!
Have a beautiful day!
Jen Engevik
Project BE Bold
Great article, Jen. You’re right, it’s amazing how the barriers to making our ideas into reality have been broken down in the last couple of decades.
The new challenge is to ensure that the things we create actually stand out are seen, since the volume of content in the world is no longer limited by a small number of production companies or publishers as the arbiters of what is “good.” While this is incredibly good for artistic freedom and personal expression, it also makes for a noisy world! So great work almost needs to be even better than it did before in order to stand out in the crowd. Or at least more inventive…
-Harley
http://www.orioncreativegroup.com