Do what you want to do and know why you want to do what you want to do (as a creative)
You describe yourself as a creative but don’t relate to the latest stream of Facebook listicles that congratulate painfully sensitive creatures possessing a mysterious unknowable magic. That’s all just a bit much.
You’re actually ready to put in the work.
Can you you really hack it? Do you want to? Not sure where to start?
We at Wild Meep just started our own video production company.
A ballpark estimate reveals there are about 400 other such businesses in our city of Amsterdam. How are we supposed to separate ourselves from the rest?
Wait a minute, is this just going to some self promotional article? I thought you were going to give me direction! I will. Trust me. Sometimes hearing another person’s story can help you find your own. That’s kind of our whole deal.
To make it easier, I’ll title these next paragraphs with a nice big number
1. DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO AND KNOW WHY YOU WANT TO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO
Why did we start our own business? First of all, we wanted to work together. We are romantic partners and realized that with our powers combined we have more than a solid foundation in video work.
We wanted to follow our dreams and by that I don’t mean taking too much Ambien.
I’ve always wanted to be a filmmaker. I was lucky enough to get cast as an extra in a movie when I was a kid. I got a glimpse behind the scenes. I saw the camera roll around on a track and the director rehearsing with the actors. At six years old that blew my tiny little mind. Films got made! They didn’t just appear out of the ether.
There’s an undeniable power in the stories that films communicate. I knew if I ever had to chance to harness that skill I would actually satisfy those young aspirations. Besides, at this point a lot of money has been spent on film school.
I was lucky. That early experience imprinted a desire and discovery that I was able to pursue from a young age. I had the support that allowed me to do so. Not all of us have this kind of access to either resources or self-knowledge.
But I do imagine there is a path you hope to follow. Passions can fade and are fleeting. Perhaps you didn’t know what you wanted to do since you were a little girl. However, you have interests and desires. You see yourself as a creative. Reconnect with those desires and follow your interests and curiosity.
2. FIND A SPECIFIC FOCUS AND FOCUS ON THE SPECIFICS
Daniel, Michelia! Are you sure about this whole video production stuff? Aren’t you just going to drown in the competition?
Hey now. Show some backbone. This also about you, remember? First a little more about us.
Michelia and I recognised a niche we could satisfy. Companies, governments and organizations fortunately continue to see the value in communicating their story through video. Their need to do so increases as their target groups continue to consume a majority of information through online media.
We therefore have a specific focus: creating meaningful relationships through vibrant visual storytelling for sustainable and community driven groups.
We found our niche. Our position of following a singular focus within our business is surprisingly unique enough. A lot of our competition will take any job with anybody. Our focus relates to our own ideals and happens to be a savvy business manoeuvre.
What is your niche? What are you good at? What do you love? What do people need? What do you care about?
Are you good writer? Do you love travel? Care about accessibility? Then maybe a differently-abled dedicated travel blog is your jam.
You get the point. Align your interests with your skills, abilities, as well as what’s in demand and you too can write a blog post explaining your motivations!
Also jam is delicious.
4. COMMUNICATE YOUR ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE
You thought I was gonna run out of these redundant headlines, didn’t you?
This is written as an exercise to reach out to others. A way to encourage a community as well as ourselves. I want to express the efforts we have already made as well as use the knowledge I have gained from those experiences. It’s hardly just altruistic because it’s a form of public relations, although I hope you can apply these as you move forward with your entrepreneurial goals.
It’s important to get the message out. People need to know what you are capable of. That you are willing and able to do the work. Don’t let you underestimate you. Don’t devalue your own talents.
I believe “art” in all it’s myriad of forms is, to put it simply, a way to communicate when the other traditional means fail. When you can’t say it, you sing it. When you can’t sing it, you paint it. Whatever is the most accurate tool to express your thoughts, emotions or message, that is your artistry.
However, as a creative entrepreneur your mission is to satisfy business goals along with your creative abilities.
As a communicator you must be able to express the value and importance of your creativity through traditional methods: written and spoken. Your words, like hopefully the ones you are reading, will encourage a confidence in your audience as well as drive them to embrace your work.
To put it in clear terms: can you describe your business in a just a few sentences? What do you offer that others don’t? Why is this important to you? What is your story?
These perhaps obvious and corporate considerations really do make a difference in perceived value and can determine your success.
Don’t underestimate the power of communicating your efforts. How else are people supposed to know what you are up to?
All I am saying is, sometimes we should try and be a bit more like Kanye.
