#142: Earth, Woo & Fire
It's Monday! It's Monday.
MUSIC THING:
Happy Earth, Wind and Fire Day! RIP Pop Smoke, RIP Allee Willis, RIP RBG.
Not to be outdone, EWF themselves released a remix of the song this morning.
As a bonus, today means we get a new video from Demi (watch the whole thread)
CULTURE THING:
(Kanye West and Universal Music chairman Lucian Grange - Getty Images)
As the media industry thinks of models of expansion, talent is an opportunity to build on top of an existing foundation to explore business models that focus on the creator, the relationship of a creator and brand, and the undervalued importance of creator operations.
In the record industry, talent is the driving force behind the business. Talent is the source of the reputation and the end of the line when it comes to driving financial returns. Without great, world-class talent, it doesn’t matter how well you can promote or polish an artist, it will not have the same returns.
If the talent within your organization wants to write, produce, create elsewhere, then with a new business model that enables equity and investment in the individual by that brand, that is beneficial to the both parties bottom line. Again, look at the record industry: emphasis on the talent (artist) only drives more value and more revenue for the label (brand). The label pays for a song to be produced so they can partially own the song. There is equity in their investment of that artist. Record labels are having record years because they own the publishing rights to songs. People hear a song, the label gets paid. It’s a formula that on top of existing revenue opportunities (advertising, subscriptions, events) opens up an entirely new well of business.
While the thought of media orgs taking a cue on how to treat talent from the record industry is equal parts interesting and terrifying, there are a ton of writers who have built the valuation of media brands only to find themselves now out in the cold once the higher-ups cashed out.
If you write in any capacity full-time for a media publication, you need a platform that you own outside of that publication. Newsletter, blog, whatever fits your style and voice. Do it now, before you aren’t able to…
The Next Media Opportunity: Talent, Reputation and Lessons from Record Labels (Medium)
HOW TO HELP BLACK LIVES IN 30 MINS OR LESS:
Carve out 30 minutes in your calendar this week. Call it “Being A Better Person Time” or “Set a Good Example for my Kid” Time, whatever works.
Do one thing in that 30-minute window. Click a link. Make a call or donate or sign a petition.
This weekend, share the above link. If you have a group chat, drop it into your group chat like “Hey, I’m worried about how things will be for future generations, so I’m doing something about it by calling/donating/signing a petition. If you’re interested, here’s the link!”
Repeat the following week for as long as you can. Do it while you online shop, do it while you’re on an annoying call, hell, you can do it while you poop, I don’t care! Whatever it takes! It is the absolute least that you can do, but you’ll get a sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that you at least did SOMETHING to help.
BONUS: You have a vision of who you want to be, right? That ideal version of yourself that does the right thing when given a chance and leads by example? This is that chance. Just think: you won’t have to lie to your kids or grandkids about being on the right side of history! You can say “Children/Grandchildren, we don’t tolerate that racist shit in this house. If anyone says otherwise, send them to me.” and you’ll sound tough and cool and your kids/grandkids will respect you and not want to be racists…and oops, guess what? That means less racist people in the future!!!
Look at that. It turns out you had a bigger impact than you thought the whole time! You can do it!
MARKETING THING:
For September, the Marketing section will be dedicated to helping you beat imposter syndrome and get better at self-promotion.
Three weeks ago, we took a test to see where we stand with imposter syndrome.
Two weeks ago, we outlined tactics about how to overcome imposter syndrome as well as an interesting counter-point to the entire idea.
Last week, we learned about the specific types of imposter syndrome.
Today, it’s time to get hardcore.
The only way to stop feeling like an impostor is to stop thinking like an impostor.
That’s not my opinion, that’s the word of Dr. Valerie Young. Dr. Young has written countless articles and has coached high-performers at companies like IBM, Google, Boeing, Procter & Gamble, Facebook, Microsoft, Intel, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, McDonald's and NASA. Here’s Dr. Young’s 10 steps to solving imposter syndrome once and for all:
Break the silence. Shame keeps a lot of people from “fessing up” about their fraudulent feelings. Knowing there’s a name for these feelings and that you are not alone can be tremendously freeing.
Separate feelings from fact. There are times you’ll feel stupid. It happens to everyone from time to time. Realize that just because you may feel stupid, doesn’t mean you are.
Recognize when you should feel fraudulent. If you’re one of the first or the few women or a minority in your field or work place, it’s only natural you’d sometimes feel like you don’t totally fit in. Instead of taking your self-doubt as a sign of your ineptness, recognize that it might be a normal response to being an outsider.
Accentuate the positive. Perfectionism can indicate a healthy drive to excel. The trick is to not obsess over everything being just so. Do a great job when it matters most, without persevering over routine tasks. Forgive yourself when the inevitable mistake happens.
Develop a new response to failure and mistake making. Henry Ford once said, “Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” Instead of beating yourself up for being human and blowing the big project, do what professional athletes do and glean the learning value from the mistake and move on.
Right the rules. If you’ve been operating under misguided rules like, “I should always know the answer,” or “Never ask for help” start asserting your rights. Recognize that you have just as much right as the next person to be wrong, have an off-day, or ask for assistance.
Develop a new script. Your script is that automatic mental tapes that starts playing in situations that trigger your Impostor feelings. When you start a new job or project instead of thinking for example, “Wait till they find out I have no idea what I’m doing,” try thinking, “Everyone who starts something new feels off-base in the beginning. I may not know all the answers but I’m smart enough to find them out.”
Visualize success. Do what professional athletes do. Spend time beforehand picturing yourself making a successful presentation or calmly posing your question in class. It sure beats picturing impending disaster and will help with performance-related stress.
Reward yourself. Break the cycle of continually seeking °© and then dismissing °© validation outside of yourself by learning to pat yourself on the back.
Start NOW. Now and then we all have to fly by the seat of our pants. Instead of considering “winging it” as proof of your ineptness, learn to do what many high achievers do and view it as a skill. The point of the worn out phrase, fake it til you make it, still stands: Don’t wait until you feel confident to start putting yourself out there. Courage comes from taking risks. Change your behavior first and allow your confidence to build.
Here’s more from the good doctor:
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ANNOUNCEMENTS:
L'shanah tovah to my Jewish subscribers, love and solidarity!
I’m looking for someone to edit The Office Hours podcast! Gig is about 2 hours a week of work and is paid. All are welcome to apply, but people from Chicago get to cut to the front of the line. If this sounds like something you’d be into, E-mail me with the subject line “Office Hours Pod” and samples of your work.
Office Hours with Ernest Wilkins is written and curated in Chicago.
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