Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

"IF A GREAT MUSICIAN PLAYS GREAT MUSIC BUT NO ONE HEARS . . . WAS HE REALLY ANY GOOD?"

This speaks to the whole issue of instrinsic v. subjective value. It speaks to context, and expectation. Just because this particular musician didn`t get much money, that doesn`t actually relate in any way as to if he`s got any talent. Talent and money don`t associate.

Really interesting article, though, and one that demonstrates the necessity of a perception of value. Long ago, as a pro entertainer, I was fascinated with comedians. Are they particularly funny, or does the audience "expect" to laugh when they`re introduced to a professional comedian?

So too, when someone walks into an office as a professional copywriter, there`s a preliminary expectation that the words they use, phrased in some way, will in some way be "better" than what would happen from an amateur or non-professional writer. That expectation produces a simple bias, changing the perception of the reader.

On another thread, we had a discussion as to whether one might make qualitative assessments of copywriting. Could we quantify the results applied to a Web site. I think we can, but not by directly assigning a value to each sentence. Instead, it`s an empiric test. One site has the original content, the other site has the professionally written content. Which site has (and holds) the most visitors.

I remember a great moment in a phone conversation with my father. At the time (1993), the Shoo family left their two young girls home alone while the parents went to Mexico. It was a subject of major outrage in the papers, and people got into a debate about child care and possible harm to the girls. They were just at the age where the logic was that the eldest was competent to care for her sister.

My father, without a moment`s hesitation, when I asked how anyone could determine the situation, had this to say. "Well, first you send the parents to Mexico for a week and see what happens. Then to keep them home for another week and see if the girls do any better. If they were worse off while the parents were in Mexico, then penalize the parents."

I laughed and have always remembered it. The humor was in the insanity so many people have these days of believing that no situation is ever irrevocable.

First put up a Web site that drives customers away. Then put up a Web site that`s attractive. Whichever one works the best, pay the money for that site. Fine. But if you drive away all your customers, you`ll go out of business. So how do you "un-go out of business" in order to empirically test some theory? :-)

All I can say it this. I had a retail website at www.elusivetreasures.com which contained all my writing. Then I hired a writer (application process was a bitch). And I now have more visitors per month than before. I know that`s a little anecdotal, but it works for me!

---Side Bar: There should be a market for someone to do the background or work history checks. Especially when you have to take time to analyze the "creative" aspect of the perfect candidate.---

Creative professionals never get a fair shake.




-------------------------

Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

haha--I hear that.

It`s good to hear a successful writing story. Some people haven`t had good luck because people take money and run, don`t meet deadlines, etc. I imagine it is hard to select a candidate for creative work. Simply put, that person isn`t in your office for you to oversee. You send checks off into the distance. It can make the whole process very difficult for employers.

 

Hence why it`s so vital that websites make a personable impact:)

Good points here.  The E-Myth (Revisited) is a great book that touches on the self-employment pitfalls amd how to correct them.  I too have been (and still am in one business).  You are still at the whim of the contractors you are doing business for, and that is the very reason I  HATE the profession I chose and LOVE(D).

With all the ups and downs of the self-employment rhelm, OWING a JOB is the toughest venture you can make.

 

-------------------------

Design It, Print It, Wear It (TM)

www.thetfactory.com

Hey Kristen –

Always good to meet another NJ creative. While I do write [but can`t seem to type well], I`m primarily a picture guy. I have the utmost respect for the better "word people" out there.

Have you read the War of Art by Steven Pressfield?

It`s about the Resistance [from within] which a writer - or any real creative – must stare down on a regular basis, and about the responsibility of a creative to fulfill his/her own destiny.

While I think the creative mission is easier [to me] than the business mission, I`ll take inspiration where I can find it.

I hope more creatives contribute to this thread...


-------------------------

:: Good Design is Good Business ::

   bruce colthart creative llc

me too:)

 

haven`t read that book, fyi.

Hi, Kristen! Welcome to the boards. I’m a newbie too but have already gleaned a lot of good information from the wonderful folks at Start Up!

I am also a creative in the print/graphic/web world. I absolutely love designing. I have been solo for over 2 years and each year my business grows. It is simply amazing to be where I am now.

I hope you find this board to be useful and good luck with your business!

-------------------------

Make it count! My Passion: www.jdawgdesign.com - My Rush: www.wyliephotos.com

Thanks, J:) It`s cool to see your business actually flourish, isn`t it? I`m a copywriter and mine has been steady on up growth wise!

How are all you independent creatives marketing yourselves; what`s working best?

I`ve recently aligned myself with a printer, so now he can sell my creative concept and design services, and I can subcontract or recommend him.

We`re also now selling that joint idea to a third party, a web services and hosting operation. With plenty of clients, he can now prompt them to strengthen their online presence with offline marketing tools – printed literature, catalogs, exhibit graphics, etc.


-------------------------

:: Good Design is Good Business ::

   bruce colthart creative llc

Hi, Bruce! I have tried to align with prniters, but they don`t want to pay the price for a freelance designer. I have better luck teaming up with copywriters and web developers, and even then it`s not a constant stream of referrals.

But most of my work comes from networking at the local Chamber of Commerce.

-------------------------

Make it count! My Passion: www.jdawgdesign.com - My Rush: www.wyliephotos.com