Every day since I started this business, I've asked myself "What in the pajesus am I doing?" I realize that so many things make no sense at all in this business. However, a lot of things do. I talked to my first real boss John Kerwin today. He even though a celebrity (in my eyes you are) gave me the first real opportunity to treat me as if I really knew what I was doing. I just got it! for the first time in my life, I understood what my purpose was. I have him to thank for the great experiences I've had. Rubbing shoulders with people like Ed Asner, and Michael Gross. Jumping in the back of Limo's to save my audience from seeing our main talent before the show....I feel like I owe it to him to give special thanks to since he really gave me a chance.
Now I'm on my way to having a very successful business as a video producer and ceo of my own bad boy biz...
I'm not ghetto people, I've been ghetto. Time to step it up a few notches.
2011 is almost gone, and I feel exhausted from the hard work it has brought me. But, I also consider it a blessing. 2011 allowed me to not cry or whine about this ungodforsaken economy, it has allowed this woman to step to the plate and fight for my right to career freedom.
Often times I want to quit and can't believe I took this chance. Many times I think how frightening it is starting with nothing. Most times I barely eat since I don't know how much longer the food supply will run out. Many times I feel like giving up. Instead I will become a demon and get Revenge!!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Professionalism by texting?
So here it is at 4:44 am (my nemesis). I am wide awake and can't sleep because of a NON-Client who has been texting me for two days. First what makes it comical to me is that he was trying to set an appointment by texting. What intrigues me is where is the professionalism here?
This person contacted me approx. 5 months ago requesting to have some music vid made. At the time I spoke to him, he hadn't even put lyrics to his music and sent me 3 MP3's of some shoddy keyboard tracks. I explained to him that I would need to have completed music to produce the video, gave him some solid advice on scripting since he didn't want to pay my fees for that. (I charge $350 for scripting,design and development). I wished him luck and told him to contact me when he had everything completed.
5 months later, I'm receiving a random text asking to set an appointment on a Saturday (which I don't work, unless it's contracted) No details just I'm coming over to your studio on Saturday at 2:30 what's your address? I asked him several times to call me by phone. He just kept insisting on getting the address and wasn't cooperating with calling me.
I asked the person to identify themselves, and to call me so I could get more details. (The text only shows the phone number as I don't plug in every person who contacts me in my address book?)
The client only responded by continuing to ask me for my office address. He started to become hostile because I wasn't making the appointment.
I tried to contact the client by phone and got a digital recording to leave a voicemail. Not even a real person on the recording? At this point I wasn't only thinking that why would a recording artist not record a voicemail? I was also thinking, this could be dangerous.
The best part was that each time I requested that this person contact me by phone as I would need more details, the person was getting angry and insulting me for not giving him my address.
At what point do you say no to business? What professional person sets appointments with a video producer by text messaging. Am I supposed to have less courtesy than other professions?
The person wanted to spend $500 to put together a stock footage music video, which is great. However he would have cost me over $500 in grief. At what point do you walk away from business?
When the person can't make a phone call or talk over the phone, they are probably not legit.
He even had the gall, to tell me he was a broker who worked from 6am-5pm.
I frankly don't care if he was the President, If he can't pick up the phone and have a conversation with me about his project then there is no project.
As a professional I always try to do the right thing. My integrity is very valuable to me. I treat my clients in a very special manner and with the utmost respect. I demand respect back. Does he think I'm that desperate for $500 bucks? I only set appointments with people I know and trust. If it's a client, I would have a contract in place before I spend any time dealing with them face to face.
What makes me not be able to sleep is the fact that this person thought it was my problem that I wasn't making an appointment via text with a complete stranger???
As much as I'd like to make $500, I don't need his money and when all is said and done it's not the money it's the relationship that was missing. I'm in this industry because I love what I do. But I also love that I can say no when it doesn't feel right.
Take care Mr. Non Client.
This person contacted me approx. 5 months ago requesting to have some music vid made. At the time I spoke to him, he hadn't even put lyrics to his music and sent me 3 MP3's of some shoddy keyboard tracks. I explained to him that I would need to have completed music to produce the video, gave him some solid advice on scripting since he didn't want to pay my fees for that. (I charge $350 for scripting,design and development). I wished him luck and told him to contact me when he had everything completed.
5 months later, I'm receiving a random text asking to set an appointment on a Saturday (which I don't work, unless it's contracted) No details just I'm coming over to your studio on Saturday at 2:30 what's your address? I asked him several times to call me by phone. He just kept insisting on getting the address and wasn't cooperating with calling me.
I asked the person to identify themselves, and to call me so I could get more details. (The text only shows the phone number as I don't plug in every person who contacts me in my address book?)
The client only responded by continuing to ask me for my office address. He started to become hostile because I wasn't making the appointment.
I tried to contact the client by phone and got a digital recording to leave a voicemail. Not even a real person on the recording? At this point I wasn't only thinking that why would a recording artist not record a voicemail? I was also thinking, this could be dangerous.
The best part was that each time I requested that this person contact me by phone as I would need more details, the person was getting angry and insulting me for not giving him my address.
At what point do you say no to business? What professional person sets appointments with a video producer by text messaging. Am I supposed to have less courtesy than other professions?
The person wanted to spend $500 to put together a stock footage music video, which is great. However he would have cost me over $500 in grief. At what point do you walk away from business?
When the person can't make a phone call or talk over the phone, they are probably not legit.
He even had the gall, to tell me he was a broker who worked from 6am-5pm.
I frankly don't care if he was the President, If he can't pick up the phone and have a conversation with me about his project then there is no project.
As a professional I always try to do the right thing. My integrity is very valuable to me. I treat my clients in a very special manner and with the utmost respect. I demand respect back. Does he think I'm that desperate for $500 bucks? I only set appointments with people I know and trust. If it's a client, I would have a contract in place before I spend any time dealing with them face to face.
What makes me not be able to sleep is the fact that this person thought it was my problem that I wasn't making an appointment via text with a complete stranger???
As much as I'd like to make $500, I don't need his money and when all is said and done it's not the money it's the relationship that was missing. I'm in this industry because I love what I do. But I also love that I can say no when it doesn't feel right.
Take care Mr. Non Client.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The trend of the future is already here, I wish is was here years ago!
In this great big world of iphones, apps, gaming, and multi media platforms it's easy to get lost in the mix of this new generation. I'm always intrigued by how every day this world becomes more exciting with technology.
Although I'm not a very technical person, I am still interested in Apps and how technology is being driven. In business we are experiencing a huge lean toward social media and how it's affecting our ROI. In our social life we want to know where are friends are and what they're up to. By a few clicks on Foursquare they can find us easily. (I'll admit, I sneak off and don't want to be found)
I feel as if I can't keep up with it all sometimes. And other times I wish they would have came out with this stuff years ago.
Like the Family App?? This thing is great! You can organize your schedule, and make grocery lists without ever having to talk to or see your family. This is awesome. Had I had this before, it would have saved a lot of household arguments.
Although I'm not a very technical person, I am still interested in Apps and how technology is being driven. In business we are experiencing a huge lean toward social media and how it's affecting our ROI. In our social life we want to know where are friends are and what they're up to. By a few clicks on Foursquare they can find us easily. (I'll admit, I sneak off and don't want to be found)
I feel as if I can't keep up with it all sometimes. And other times I wish they would have came out with this stuff years ago.
Like the Family App?? This thing is great! You can organize your schedule, and make grocery lists without ever having to talk to or see your family. This is awesome. Had I had this before, it would have saved a lot of household arguments.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
An Aspiring Writer, Requests Work
An aspiring writer befriended me on Twitter not too long ago. We have bantered back and forth about varying topics. He tweeted several comments in response to my "Stop Working for Free" campaign.
One day he sent me a Tweet asking me about work. I must admit, I was taken back by his lax way of applying for a job. I explained to him that not knowing his skill set I would need to see a resume, I scolded him in a sense saying it's more traditional practice to send a resume and cover letter when applying for work.
Now, I'm sure that many Producers out there would never bother with someone that would not benefit them. However, I believe that everyone needs a little direction at times. It's my way of giving back to the community. I clearly saw that he needed some help.
After reading his resume I made several notes and then set up a time to give him a consultation. What impressed me the most about this young man was that he took my advice and within hours he had a new job and made some additional contacts.
.
He really blew me away when he said that if it wasn't for me telling him to stop doing all the free work out there, he wouldn't have pursued other areas. I'm extremely blessed and honored to have had the chance to serve him. I wish him the best of luck. I know that he will seek and find lots of opportunity.
The entertainment industry is a magical industry, and right now I feel like a fairy godmother. ;)
One day he sent me a Tweet asking me about work. I must admit, I was taken back by his lax way of applying for a job. I explained to him that not knowing his skill set I would need to see a resume, I scolded him in a sense saying it's more traditional practice to send a resume and cover letter when applying for work.
Now, I'm sure that many Producers out there would never bother with someone that would not benefit them. However, I believe that everyone needs a little direction at times. It's my way of giving back to the community. I clearly saw that he needed some help.
After reading his resume I made several notes and then set up a time to give him a consultation. What impressed me the most about this young man was that he took my advice and within hours he had a new job and made some additional contacts.
.
He really blew me away when he said that if it wasn't for me telling him to stop doing all the free work out there, he wouldn't have pursued other areas. I'm extremely blessed and honored to have had the chance to serve him. I wish him the best of luck. I know that he will seek and find lots of opportunity.
The entertainment industry is a magical industry, and right now I feel like a fairy godmother. ;)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)