Inspiration: Become a hunter and a thief

Largely, your job as a creative is to hunt and to steal. Advertising is mostly built on merging, molding and melting together things that already exist into something new and wonderful.

Of, course there are innovative and groundbreaking things out there carved from thin air and imagination.

But for the most part, it's about finding the right mixture of seemingly unrelated things and making them connect in a creative and impactful way.

Being able to hunt inspiration and steal like an artist are special skills. Hacks just copy. Liars plagerize.

But creatives, they seek out new information, stimulus and experiences. They reimagine, not recreate. They build, not bite.

They are conceptual magicians, pulling rabbits out of top hats worn by balloon dogs driving a clown car. Constantly soaking up things the past, present and future of every little thing in life.

Sounds like a lot because it is. Your valve needs to always be set on intake mode. Every life experience, every adventure, every disappointment, every trip, conversation, poster, song, exhibit, dream, movie trailer, YouTube video, tweet, doodle... every little thing around you, is all working together to make you a great creative.

The more you expose yourself to, the better your work will be.

(Read: Go Inspiration Hunting and Steal Inspiration, Not Ideas)

Take these examples of 4 Successful Hunters & Thieves 

1. Kehinde Wiley's art merges contemporary and traditional, urban and Victorian, photos and portraits, African American and European, textures and colours, grandeur and the ordinary.

2. Kanye West is also known for merging styles - old school with autotone, punk with hip hop, etc. He is notorious for using a million samples in the tracks he produces. For example, his  song Mercy samples 5 different songs (including an old school reggae fav of mine on the chorus)

Mercy (2012) sampled  Tony's Theme by Giorgio Moroder (1983) Dust a Sound Boy by Super Beagle (1986) Cuh Oonu by Reggie Stepper (1993) Lambo by YB (2011) Dance (A$$) by Earlly Mac and SayItAintTone (2011)

(Via WhoSampled.com) 



3. The Johnny Cash Project is a stunning example of how you can build on something that already exists, and create something completely original.



4. Dodge Ram's God Made A Farmer ad from this year's Super Bowl. The copy is an excerpt from a Paul Harvey speech and the visuals are the work of ten different photographers.

 

My question to you is: 
What are you going to merge/mold/reimagine/make? 

Confessions of a Recovering Perfectionist

I often write notes to myself. Not because I'm insane (Well...partially because of that) but mostly because writing things down helps me remember  and seeing words in all caps is like a silent yell from my inner self. And it's really hard to ignore my inner self.

I have a few around my desk, "It's only impossible until it's not." and "Complaining doesn't change anything. Action does." 

In February I added "Perfection is the enemy of done." 

And as much as that note yells at me, it’s been a tough lesson to live. 

Confession: I have a thing for Perfection. Or better yet, my personal idea of Perfection. I want things to be as buttoned up, as impactful, and as shiny as possible. If it's a representation of me, it has to be quality. Like Barney's level quality.

However, my problem is that I go miles past Kmart in to Nordstrom territory - which is a very, very good place to be -  but keep pushing, fighting, stressing and obsessing to get to Barney's. And I wear myself the eff out getting there or beat myself up for having not made it all the way. 

And those times I do get there, I’m not sure the store windows are clean enough, or the AC is at the right temp. What if someone thinks the revolving door is completely idiotic? (These are just metaphors of course. I’m talking about work – creating an ad or writing a headline and all that jazz, not building a department store.)

It's not that I'm scared of failing. (Read Mistakes Won't Kill You) And I totally believe in trying as many options as you can and doing multiple versions, and editing and re-editing. (Read Edit, then Edit Again) 

My issue is that I have a really hard time with things not being just right. Even if it’s at 98.9% right – I want that last 1.1%. So I often overthink, overedit, overanalyse, overwrite and pretty much drive myself mad.

Perfection is the enemy.

When you have an 8 a.m. deadline, Perfection will have you up all night, drinking unhealthy amounts of 5 Hour Energy and ignoring your body’s pleas for basic things like sleep and bathroom breaks.

When you need to present 3 versions of an ad, but the 2^nd one isn’t just right, Perfection will have you staring at a screen until your eyes twitch. Perfection will make you have 4 browser tabs open, all on Thesaurus.com, combing through lists and lists of ways to say the same damn thing, agonizing over every little detail. Perfection will leave you with one really great version, one good version and one red-headed-step-child version.

Perfection will make you look bad in front of your boss and coworkers.

Perfection will make you late for meetings.

Perfection will leave you with stupid, amateurish mistakes (like its/it's.)

Perfection will make you doubt yourself, your abilities and your entire purpose in life.

Perfection will wear you supermarket-plastic-bag thin.

Perfection will keep you from actually getting shit done.

 

I’m not at all saying just focus on just getting to the finish line, whether or not it’s any good. I’m saying if you’re aiming for exceptional and end up with great – be thankful for great and move on. It's better to have something complete to show than something half-baked but beautiful. (Or worse, a very shiny turd.)

There will be time to edit and re-edit. Trust me, your boss, project managers, account people and client will find always something wrong with what you did, no matter how perfect you thought it was.

You’ll have time to go back and make it better. To Barneyfy it. And you’ll come to realize that sometimes, Nordstrom’s is exactly what they wanted. Or that your Nordstrom’s is someone else’s Barney’s.

What you never want to do is mis-manage your time, miss deadlines, drop the ball on things, burn yourself out or sacrifice your health in chasing this ideal of Perfection.

Don’t be so hard on yourself.

No one expects you to be perfect. No one expects you to have Barney’s quality all the time. Or to never make a mistake. 

But  everyone expects you to deliver. To actually get shit done. And to do it well. (Whether at work or in school.)

If it's a good idea, that will show. Even if it's written on a napkin. It's better to finish it and have something to show, instead of spending hours polishing what turns out to be a very pretty Dollar General idea and realise you stressed yourself out for nothing. 

Focus on completing first, then get to finessing and polishing. Everyone is going to have feedback on what you do anyway. And you’re probably going to look back in a month and see how you can make it better. (Read Your Book WillNever Be Done.)

I’m going to take my own advice and finish this post. It’s a good post. And it doesn’t have to be perfect. (Read Be A Mess)

Wait. Let me just pull out my thesaurus and red pen and read it one more time.

No. I won't do it. I'm done.

Hi, my name is Neisha and I'm dangerously Virgo and an insatiable perfectionist. And I'm working on getting over myself.

Here's some notes you can write to yourself to help you get over yourself too.

Be a Mess

Baseball is not my thing. I've been to one game in my whole life, and was coaxed there with the promise of beer and popcorn.
However, I recently heard this quote and was a. very moved and b. inspired.

"In the beginning, I used to make one terrible play a game. Then I got so I'd make one a week, and finally, I'd pull a bad one once a month. Now, I'm trying to keep it down to one a season." 

Being a creative is kind of like that.

Your first year in advertising, you're pretty much a mess with legs. And as time goes by, you become less and less of a mess -- and one day, if you're lucky, you are only an intermittent mess - like a leap year.

If you take away anything from that quote, it's that it's okay to make mistakes. And things will get better.

I guess that's two things.

Internship 104: 8 Ways to Network

That saying "Get your foot in the door" means so much in advertising. Connections are (fortunately/unfortunately) everything.

Now that your foot is in there, start working on how you can stay there. (And I guess you should figure out how to bring the rest of your body in too. It starts getting cold around November.) 

While you're interning, make sure you take the time to socialise and meet people.

Eight Quick (and seemingly obvious) Networking Tips: 

Go to events at your agency. During the summer, most agencies are a little slower and do fun things like Summer Fridays (half or full days off) and have lots of socials and events.
Read Drinking Is Good For Your Job

Go to events at other agencies. Be on the look out on LinkedIn, Facebook and with your friends who work at other places to find out what's going on, when and where.
Read What to Do When You're New 

Meet other interns. Whether or not they're in your internship program, department or even on your floor -- reach out to them, hang out with them, get to know who they know. You never know -- you may end up being  an usher at one of their weddings.  (Happened to me, could happen to you if you played your cards right.) 

Meet recently-hired people. Talk to other entry-level people and juniors. Find out about how they got in, what they know, who they know and learn all you can from them. Except for bad habits. Don't learn those.
Read Shyness Will Get You Nowhere

Ask people to lunch or to grab a coffee. Whether it's a junior, another intern, an ACD or a planner on your team, a smile and a simple "Hey, wanna run grab a coffee with me?" or "Hey, wanna try to grab lunch on Tuesday?" will get you far. Smokers have smoking breaks, which are amazingly social (and life-threatening). I use lunch and coffee/tea breaks to socialise in a way you don't usually get to sitting in conference rooms or cubicles.
Read Small Talking Series 101, 102 - Use the News, 103- 5 Questions, 104 - Introducing Yourself  

Use LinkedIn. Update your profile, add all your links, work and relevant experience, join groups and share articles, and reach out to people you meet along the way to keep their contact information and get access to who they know. (BTW I hate when people give me business cards, I lose them and feel like a litterer. I prefer whipping out my phone and adding them on LinkedIn right then and there. It's 2013 after all.) 
Read: How to Get Ignored on Linked In

Ask questions. Seriously. Even if you think it's dumb. Even if you think it's something you should know. (Maybe then, just ask one person, quietly. Or Google it. But definitely ask -- knowing is always better than not knowing.) 

Be yourself. Or be Chuck Norris. Either one of those works.

Here are some related posts with more advice, tips and information
Networking & Following Up Tips to Help People Remember You
Seriously, You Have to Make People Remember You 
How to Make Small Talk  
People to Always Be Nice To 

Internship 103: 5 Ways Not To Suck At Email

Never, ever, ever hit send before you read what you just wrote at least twice. Do it out loud
if necessary. Then do it one more time, just in case.

It's easy to say "I'm too busy" Or "I just need to say this real quick" Or "Let me do this on my way to the kitchen/bathroom/next meeting..." But doing that is almost as dangerous as not using condoms. You may get away fine a few times, but one day... you'll surely be fucked.

When it comes to emails -- ESPECIALLY work emails -- you have to be very conscious and very cautious.

Here are 5 Ways To Deal With Emails: 

1. Make sure you're saying what needs to be said in the most concise, professional and clear way.

2. Say only what needs to be said. Nobody has time to read an essay. Cut out anything that isn't essential. (For instance, those  last two sentences I just wrote)

3. Don't make yourself look stupid by making foolish gramatical mistakes and typos. Seriously. Don't do it.

4. Never respond when you're angry, scared or frantic. You'll regret everything after you hit send.

5. Don't fill the send field until you're done writing, editing and proofreading your email. Sending something too quickly or to the wrong person is an epidemic. Don't become a statistic.

The five things probably look simple enough. But there's really an art to it. Being able to properly represent yourself, your opinions/feelings and your agency in writing is something that comes with time.

Here are some related posts about emailing. Have a look while I go re-read this post and make sure I'm not embarrassing myself.

Dos & Donts of Emailing
The Art of Emailing
Follow Up Email Template
Email writing tips

Internship 102: 12 Things You Must Do

The Creative Wannabe Work Commandments was one of my very first posts, and probably
one of my favourites.

If you've never read it, take notes. If you have already read it, read it again and refresh your notes.

Today is a great day to be awesome.


Twelve Things You Should Chisel Into Your Memory

Whether you're an intern or junior, there are certain rules you need to conduct yourself by to make people like you and want to work with you.

Sure you're great. You know it and I know it and your mom knows it. However, these folks at Agency X have no idea, and quite honestly are too busy trying to show off their own greatness to care.

I went up to a mountain top (aka sat on my bed) and meditated (tried real hard to remember things from my internships + first year at work) and spoke to the advertising gods (napped) and put together this list of
Creative Wannabe Work Commandments.

* Never be late. Ever. Lightning will strike you down and kill you if you are. (Or not.) Get in before everyone and leave after them. 5:30 pm is midafternoon break time. Some of the biggest client changes - and biggest opportunities for you to get called to do some work - happen at the very last minute. Which is usually about 5 minutes before you're ready to go home. 

* Dress like a creative, only better. There's no official dress code for creative types, so vans, torn jeans and Random Band #7 t-shirts are perfectly fine, but don't dress as if you're going to school, your friend's house, a party, a sleepover, the beach, the bathroom or a cocktail party. Dress in a way that if someone met you, they'd never assume you were an intern or junior and if the client were in the office the team wouldn't be ashamed to introduce you. Pick the best dressed person and use them as your template. 

* Never get drunk around co-workers. Even if you're at a bar. Even if they're drunk. Even if it's your birthday. Even if they encourage you to have just one more. There's a lot of socializing over drinks in advertising, sometimes at work (shh) or outside of the office. Don't ever confuse your colleagues with your college buddies. You'll have to see them again tomorrow morning, sober and straight-faced. You can't take back anything said or done over scotch and tequila shots. Remember that.  


* Keep busy. If you have no assignments, ask for one. Ask your supervisor, ask his supervisor, ask her partner, ask everyone around if they need help with anything, if you can sit in on their meeting, if you can look over their shoulder creepily. If you're finished your work, Oliver Twist out in the piece and ask for more.Volunteer yourself, offer your services, step up and slide yourself into every opportunity to do some work and - here's what really matters - impress people.

* Limit Idling (On and off line). I love Facebook and Twitter as much as the average bear and I often use them to do research, but when people walk by my desk, there's no way they can tell if I'm skimming our competitor's fanpages to see what we can do better than them or if I'm buying a cow on Farmville. And that's what they'll assume. They also assume you're taking a long lunch if you're away from your desk too long, you're gossiping if you're talking to a coworker in the hall and you're taking a nap if you're in the bathroom for too long. (Confession: I've been guilty of this.) Always look occupied and engaged so they feel like they need you there.

* Don't say no. Never turn down an assignment or feedback. You're at the bottom of the totem pole and the best way to work your way up is to (wait for it) work. So if someone asks you to do something and it's late/you're too busy/you don't want to do it - don't say no, say you'll try to work something out, or you'll see if So Andso can help or ask for more time to get it done. Don't ever turn down an opportunity to show you're dependable, hardworking and amazing. If the client or account people ask you to do something creatively outrageous, you'll learn more diplomatic ways of saying no. My favorite is "Oh, that could be interesting. I'll try to work something out with that and see what other solutions we can come up with."

* Overdeliver. If they ask you to do three versions, do four. If they ask for "some" headlines, write ten. If they say "come up with a campaign" come up with three and flush them out in a wicked presentation that shows how your idea works across all media. Go above and beyond. Treat every assignment, no matter how big or small, like it's your final assignment and your entire grade depends on it. 

*  Save the drama. I was going to say for your mama, but she doesn't want it either. This is a place of business, so put your personal life on mute once you step through those doors. Limit personal calls, conversations and visits. Don't stress about your boyfriend on company time. And God forbid, don't talk about that girl you may or may not meet up with later before/during/after the status meeting. No one cares. And you don't want them to. They'll look at you different and possibly like you less. You want them to know that you're a hard worker, a quick learner and a creative genius - nothing else matters. Nothing.

* Get a mentor and an ally. Find someone on your team or on another team who you respect and can ask for guidance, advice and introductions. (Advertising is very much about who you know and who they know. So make those connections.) And find an ally, someone on your team who you can share your work and ideas with, discuss projects and day to day things, and who can say they know you, like you and think that you're a hard worker, quick learner and creative genius.  Neither of these people should be your boss, and they don't even really have to have a big title or anything, your mentor should have about 5 years on you and your ally at least 2. Just make sure you have two people you can turn to if you need rescuing or a recommendation. 

* Always take notes. Write that one down. Always have a pen and pad with you. Write down all the important things to remember during the meeting - and things to Google later (People throw around terms like "top of the line" and "POP" and "MCOW" like they're Skittles.) Jot down your first thoughts, doodle, write tag lines, make product pro + con lists. Plus having a pad always makes you look much more serious and involved than everyone else. 

* Be professional. Creative Departments are super laid back. People skate board, play Wii, drink beer, curse, slam doors, blast Kanye a little too loud and throw balls across the room. However, these people have been working there far longer than you have. One day, you will be that person. But today, you're not. So be on your Ps and Qs. Don't get too casual in conversation or email. Avoid slangs, curses, sexist/racist/homophobic statements or jokes, oversharing and being loud. Your coworkers are not your friends. Your office is not your house. You are here to work and make sure everyone sees that that is your #1 priority.

* Keep track of your accomplishments. People may not notice how much you're doing, what you've contributed or the kind of progress you've made. So create a folder or make a list and keep all of your wins so in 3 or so months, you can see how far you've come and most importantly, prove that you're an asset to that agency. Feel free to title the folder or list "Evidence of My Greatness." I won't judge you for it.

Internship 101: What Are You Doing?

Good morning interns!

Welcome to the "real world." Come in. Have a seat. Just don't touch anything.

First off, congratulations. Getting an internship can be challenging, so congrats on being chosen. And getting the real world experience of an internship will help your career, so congrats on being on the right track. (Read: Internships Matter) 

Now, to business.

As an intern, you are there to do two things. Help and Learn. Say it with me: "Help and learn."
Be effing awesome at both.

How to Help: 
Deliver work on time.
Stay on top of it. ("It" being everything.)
Offer to do something for someone.
Pay attention to details.
Solve a problem. (Big or small.)

How to Learn: 
Ask questions.
Shadow people.
Listen.
Take notes.
Practice.
Ask for feedback.

This post is the first of a 4-part series dedicated to you and how to be an awesome intern and get hired.




Assignment #1
Take some time out today and make a list of the things you want to learn and accomplish this summer.





Read this post below for an idea of how to get started.  Get What You Want.

Came across this quote the other day on Twitter and thought it was the best thing since wi-fi.

"Go in knowing what you want to get out. If you go in empty minded, you'll come out empty handed."

If you're in school, about to be in school, interning or looking for a full time job, ask yourself - what do you want to get out of it?

What do you want to learn?
What do you want to get better at?
What do you want to conquer?
What skills or experiences do you want to leave with?
What points do you want to add to your resume? Or campaigns to your book?

Really take a minute (or few days) to think about what you want to get out of the next 3 to 6 to 12 months. (Personally I can only make concrete plans for 3-6 months ahead. Who knows when the pigeons are finally going to rise up and rule the earth?) 

Make a list of where/who you want to be in the next 6 months then make a list of the steps you need to get there.

* Who do you need to talk to?
* What do you need to do?
* How can you strategically place yourself in the right situations and around the right people to make sure you're on the right path?


 Be honest and clear about your intentions:

If you want to work with a certain copywriter because they're good at long copy and you need a long copy campaign in your book, say that.

If you want to take a certain class because that professor usually sets his students up with internships, talk to the (I can't remember what they call the person who helps you pick classes. But talk to him/her.)

If you want to go to a recording or shoot to learn about what it's like, tell your creative director.

If you want to work on this project so you can get exposure to digital campaigns, speak up.

Yes, you should also be thinking about what all you're going to give, but also think about what you'd like to receive out of an experience. Who do you want to be at the end of it? How do you want to grow from it? How will having done this make you better?

No one else will really decide this for you. After high school you're pretty much on your own to determine your own path. In this business, whether you're in school or on the job, how far you get largely depends on how far you're willing to go. If you don't perform, you'll fail. If you fail, it's your fault. 

Your success depends on you.

From Full-time To Freelance

Everybody wants a little more freedom to do/move/live/create as they please. That's a human truth that has been etched in stone since the day before the beginning of time. 

Finding the job that allows you even 75% of that freedom is golden. Having a boss/team/client/projects that push you to think outside of the usual confines of advertising/traditional ideals is golden-er. 

Also, having the environment where you can leave early sometimes or feel open/comfortable enough to play your guitar or wear flip flops around the office is golden and covered in diamonds. 

But not everyone can have that. So what is the best option to do/move/live what you want? Freelance. (I didn't add "create" in there as I did earlier because I feel like that's inconsistent. Sometimes you're called in just do resize stuff so the full-time creatives can create. And sometimes you're called in to work on a new digital campaign for the next project launch. It varies.) 

I thought this article was a good reference for aspiring and/or new freelancers.

Related Reading: 
Freelance VS Working for Free - How to decipher if this "favour" is really "freelance." (Also check out Life Hackers - When and If You Should Ever Work For Free.)
Freelance: A Starting Point - How to find freelance work.
Freelance Money Talk - How to determine your rate.
Freelance Etiquette - How not to be an asshole freelancer.
Freelance Tax Tips - Good to think about now so you have everything in order next April 15th. 
Freelancer Turned Full-Time - Interview with a junior freelancer who landed a full time gig. 

How Do I Become A Full-time Freelancer? 
via Bklynresumestudio.com

"This is definitely a loaded question, and depends what you do for a living. It’s a great time to act on the entrepreneurial spirit and explore alternate income streams, whether you’re freelancing on the side or working full time in your own business. The thing to remember, however, if you’re just starting out as a freelancer or independent… is that it takes time, and there is no shortcut.

A client said to me yesterday, “So this is something you do on the side for extra income, right?” to which I replied, “Not at all – this is my full time job. I work 40/50 hours a week doing this.” And while I think that scored extra credibility points in his mind, I also got the impression he was surprised that someone could be making a full time living writing resumes. You can – a very good one. But it also took me 3+ years and many revised drafts of my business plan to get here. It’s important to not only be open to that cycle of change and evolution when you have a business, but to also expect it.

Some people have great success starting from day one, and for others it takes months, even years, to reach a point of financial sustainability.  And whether you plan to freelance and work as a contractor for other companies, or independently on your own with your own clients, planning is key.  But you CAN set yourself up for success before you even leave your 9-to-5, to ensure you’ll be on your way to turning profits and bringing in customers sooner than later:

• Get clear on the 5Ws.  Know what you want to do, who you want to serve, why it’s of value to them, and when & where you will make it available. And then price it accordingly.

• Practice telling people what you do. The more comfortable you become referring to yourself as your new title and explaining what you can do, the lesser the chance you’ll fumble it up in front of clients when it really matters.

• Figure out what professional connections you already have that you can leverage for projects and work. Be careful of violating any non-compete policies if you’re remaining in the same line of work as your former employer. But do look at past clients, colleagues, supervisors, and other vendors you may have worked with who might be able to refer work to you or be a potential client themselves.

• Tell everyone you know about your new venture. Don’t assume friends, family and colleagues don’t know people who can potentially use your services. My biggest revenue source to date, in revenue and in client volume, has been referrals.

• Have a solid 12-month financial plan in place before you quit a full time job.While it’s great to be optimistic, it’s better to be realistic around the fact that new businesses take time to generate revenue. You don’t want to be building your business from a place of desperation.

• Update your LinkedIn profile and all of your social media profiles. Even if you’re not billing hours right away, that does’t mean you’re not a serious practitioner of your craft. Get the word out, because that’s the only way the money will come.

• Create a business plan. Even if you don’t think you need one, you need something to guide your financial planning, decisions around product development, understand the competitive landscape, and plot out your target audience. And as your business evolves, so too will your business plan, and putting long and short-term goals in place will help you track and get a better sense of what’s working, and what’s not. Referral business is free. $300 per month worth of ineffective Google advertising isn’t.

• And finally, put a timeline in place and choose a date to kickoff your transition. Whether it’s the day you plan to give your notice, officially launch your business, or be working completely on your own, it’s much easier to set a specific date and work backwards toward your goal, then to sit around and wait for the right opportunity and timing.  Having a deadline-based goal for making a transition will help you plan much more effectively from a financial and personal perspective, and you’re more likely to stick to it if you have it in front of you visually."