Shuling Yong

Organize and Connect

yongshuling — Thu, 07 May 2015 00:54:22 +0000

Every now and then, it’s healthy to pause and reflect on the work that you want to do. I’m embarking on a set of exercises to re-think and focus, and am sharing it with you. Join in if you’d like and we can journey together.

EXERCISE 8: Organize and Connect

How and why can you organize and connect?

I provide a highly specialized service that most nonprofits know they need, but lack the skills/resources to get. I can organize workshops/classes/online community to connect these individuals.
Connecting them will help them learn from each other, share best practices, and know that they’re not alone.

List people within your sphere who are disconnected. What do they want? Who do they want to be recognized by, trusted by, or learn from?

Marketing/Communications and Business Development Professionals at nonprofit organizations.
They want to build their network of donors, volunteers and stakeholders by engaging them in the work that their organization does. Video is a great way to do that.
They want to be recognized by their bosses
They want to be trusted by their donors, volunteers and stakeholders
They want to learn from other people just like them

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I’m doing this as part of Seth Godin’s Udemy course for freelancers. Feel free to embark on this discovery for yourself too.

Permission

yongshuling — Sat, 02 May 2015 08:53:22 +0000

EXERCISE 7: Permission

How many people would complain if you didn’t send out your newsletter or brochure?

currently none. I have not built the habit of sending one out on a regular basis.

Clearly articulate what promise you make to those that give you permission

Those who give me permission will receive tips, resources and updates about using media to expand their impact and reach, and stories about all that I learn along the way while running Media For Social Change, and making films.

What makes your marketing anticipated, personal and relevant?

Anticipated – if it is sent on a regular basis, like once every 2 weeks, or once a month.

Personal – include personal stories. write in first person. include pictures. give readers a peek behind the curtains

Relevant – make sure I stay on the topic of using media for change. always remember who my audience is and ask myself if they would learn from what i send.

What could you promise that people would look forward to?

Could be a regularly scheduled, well-put together piece of work for sale/giveaway. For example, an annual forecast of the next year’s media trends at the end of each year. Or an annual non-profit video grant.
Could be a promise of getting updates to see behind the scenes as I embark on projects or go certain places. For example, taking pictures and videos and sending live updates when my film screens at Sundance. Or writing about the process of making my documentary.
Could be a step by step course for change makers to learn how to create their own videos..
Ultimately, always ask myself “how can i better serve my audience”? when creating content.

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I’m doing this as part of Seth Godin’s Udemy course for freelancers. Feel free to embark on this discovery for yourself too.

Develop a Unique Voice

yongshuling — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:19:00 +0000

EXERCISE 6: Develop a Unique Voice

If you could choose an archetype or extreme (edgecraft), what do you want your brand or work to be known for?

daring

calm

confident

friendly

edgy

knowledgeable

passionate

proud

responsive

sentimental

trustworthy

accepting

caring

dependable

giving

ingenious

logical

observant

quiet

gruff

shy

warm

adaptable

understanding

dignified

happy

intelligent

loving

organised

reflective

glamorous

silly

wise

bold

clever

energetic

helpful

bohemian

mature

patient

relaxed

sensible

spontaneous

witty

brave

complex

idealistic

kind

modest

powerful

intense

sympathetic

witty

List 5 ways you could express these attributes: Passionate, Powerful, Trustworthy, Warm

Put my heart and soul into all that I do
Do everything with integrity and authenticity
Ensure my work first resonates with the heart, then with the brain.
Treat everybody with kindness and respect
Tell stories of the work I do, and the thoughts/emotions behind why I do it.

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I’m doing this as part of Seth Godin’s Udemy course for freelancers. Feel free to embark on this discovery for yourself too.

What am I going to tell my boss?

yongshuling — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 09:38:26 +0000

EXERCISE 5: B2B Sales

What is your client afraid their boss will think if they say yes?

Why didn’t you find somebody cheaper?
Why didn’t you hire someone with a more established and bigger company?

What would your client tell their boss to explain why they bought from you?

She has first-hand experience with our industry and understands the challenges we face
She has worked with us before and knows our needs
She has experience making the type of video we are looking for and her past work is good
She has dedicated her career to doing social good – she cares / has a heart
She has worked with an award-winning documentary production company / filmmakers.
She graduated with a degree in film from Northwestern University
She will go the extra mile to deliver excellence and make sure we have nothing to worry about
We will be able to communicate to our audience the impact of the work we do far better through video storytelling than through print or verbal description, and hence encourage them to start / continue making donations to us.
By utilizing the power of video, we will be way ahead of majority of others in our field

What would you like them to tell their boss?

If we don’t hire her, we will be making a serious mistake
She is undoubtedly the top choice for our needs
Hiring her will be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make for our organization
There is no one else I would rather work with

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I’m doing this as part of Seth Godin’s Udemy course for freelancers. Feel free to embark on this discovery for yourself too.

Rank Yourself

yongshuling — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 00:52:42 +0000

Compared to others who do what you do, rank yourself on: reputation, knowledge, expertise, tools, handiness.

My scale:

1 = much less than others who do what I do,

5 = on par with others who do what I do,

10 = much more than others who do what I do

Reputation: 7 out of 10
Knowledge: 7 out of 10
Expertise: 6 out of 10
Tools: 5 out of 10
Handiness: 7 out of 10
Connections: 6 out of 10

Which will you invest in developing?

Reputation
Knowledge
Connections

—– I’m doing this as part of Seth Godin’s Udemy course for freelancers. Feel free to embark on this discovery for yourself too.

List of 10 Things You Deliver

yongshuling — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 00:06:27 +0000

EXERCISE 3: List of 10 things you deliver to your client (Things that aren’t the thing. Things like timeliness, confidence, respect, a story, etc.)

Peace of mind
New knowledge
Responsiveness
Excellence
Professionalism
Care
Enthusiasm
The extra mile
Long-Term Relationship
Great working experience

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I’m doing this as part of Seth Godin’s Udemy course for freelancers. Feel free to embark on this discovery for yourself too.