Day 32 - Overdeliver

I think i've covered this once already, but I've been told that it's important to show up to your CD as well as to the client meeting with more than what's expected. It looks like you're a hard worker and it helps with the weeding process. I don't always get how to do this though. For me, I often run into one of two problems (and sometimes both). #1 - I can't always do as much as I'd like, no matter how hard I try. This is otherwise known as writer's block, AKA my creative life's reality. #2 - I'm sometimes spinning my wheels, just crapping out whatever I can so that I can at least say that I've done a lot of work, regardless of the quality. I don't do this to make it LOOK like i'm working hard - sometimes, that's all I gots in me. :( Will it ever get easier? I've been told it does. I hope so.

Day 31 - Estimates

One of our account people was preparing a work order for a client, and asked me how long it would take for me to write some copy for a website. that helps them determine how much to charge the client (obviously). This is the first time since I started working here that I've been asked to estimate this, so it was kind of tricky. I have no idea when my muse will be with me. Sometimes, she's gone for days on end with no explanation of where she's been. If I'm especially unlucky, she comes back smelling of cheap perfume and booze. Yikes! I just totally guessed. I hope that's okay...I imagine it is. If you get done early, it's just a bonus, I guess.

Day 30 - Radio Production

Today, after many revisions and permutations, we had a recording-worthy radio script for a client. It was a bit scary, because the client was also the talent, so it needed to be approached sensitively, so as not to offend the client. It actually went much more smoothly than I had anticipated, and the client was very accepting of suggestions and critiques. Also, because the client had a connection at a local radio station, we had professional people in the booth, who were also giving the client good advice. They were able to show us the rough cut right there, which was helpful. So, it wasn't the disaster we were expecting, and I've actually got some more stuff for my reel...Hooray!

Day 29 - Analytics

We've recently launched a new campaign for a client which is entirely online. The good thing about that is it's easy to track "impressions" and "conversions" and stuff like that. I used to just think that the creative was king and if the ad was effective, that was just a bonus, but I can see where its success is just as important as the content itself. Maybe there's some debate to that, but that's they way I see it now. It's pretty fascinating to see the trajectory of people's awareness of the campaign.

another important thing that people are quickly learning in the new media of the Internet is that, in order for you to be successful, there has to be a dialogue between the client and its customers. If not, it comes off as creepy, uninterested, and/or oblivious. when our character interacts with the fans on the Facebook page, it generates more conversation and allows other people to write stuff that I wouldn't necessarily think of. That' just makes my job easier, so why fight it, right?

This is a pretty important topic, so I'll probably touch on it more later. But now, I've gotta get back to work.

Day 28 - Feast & Famine

On Friday evening, I felt super overwhelmed. I had three or four projects that needed to be done by Tuesday and felt like I had a long way to go to be done by then. Monday felt similar, but with a little reprieve because one of the projects ended up being more of an edit than a creative overhaul. But today, most of the stuff I was working on is done, and now it seems like I have very little to work on. Some concepting for a few new projects and that's about it. Weird how quickly things pile onto your plate and how equally quickly they're devoured, leaving you a bit hungry for more.

Day 27 - The Well Pt. 2

After a tough Friday and a demoralizing weekend without inspiration, Monday came along and made me happy again. I was given an assignment to write some really fun stuff as blogs/tweets for a product launch we're in the midst of. It was a completely different tone and type than I'd been working on before, so it was a needed recharge and it helped to change gears. I'm sure the ol' well will dry up again, but I guess that's part of the game. i'll just have to figure out how to make it last the least amount of time. Good luck to me!

Day 26 - The Well

Sometimes it seems like you've used up every analogy know to man and that every clever way of saying something has been said. Those days are pretty rough. (I'm having one of them today. Ugh!) But it happens time and again (I've seen it myself) where that same well of inspiration that seemed all dried up has water in it again, somehow. I don't know how or why...But it's amazing.

I'm off to watch a movie and clear my mind. Hopefully, that will shake some ideas loose.