As I am in Toronto right now doing some work with Raindance, I am getting a crash course on Groupon and how it works. As of right now, with more than 12 hours to go on our deal we have sold 359 tickets for our Introduction to Filmmaking Course...so if you are planning on doing a Groupon it is important to know that they day(s) your ad is featured you will be busy as hell! Which is what we all want, right?! I am still surprised at how effective it is, not so much from a revenue standpoint (obviously Groupon gets their cut), but solely from a exposure standpoint. It really works to drive people to your doorstep, and let's face it, we all want the best bang for our buck right? :)
Utilizing services such as this to capitalize on the online market is the way to go with ANY type of business. I think that Kijiji offers a similar promo deal as well (not sure of the details). Also, the analytics offered for these kinds of services provide information to the merchant that is kind of mind blowing. Yesterday we were able to look at a map of the GTA and see where all of our purchases came from, from a color-coded map viewpoint, soooooooooo cool!
My advice to all business owners is to get on this bandwagon, it is not a 'scam', it is SMART, and let's face it, as technology continues changing, we must be flexible and willing to learn and incorporate new tactics for reaching people. Isn't the internet a powerful thing?
Cheers!
Kate
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
5 Tips on Balancing Life and Art
I think that this is a topic that most artists face in their life. I know it very well myself, and balance is sometimes difficult to maintain when there are bills to pay. For me personally I feel the frustration when working 5 nights a week, when I could be filming, writing, painting, acting, producing ect ect ect.
How do we keep ourselves from going off the deep end and into the dark places of ourselves.
5 TIPS ON BALANCING LIFE AND ART
1. TIME MANAGEMENT
One thing that I have realized is that when being an artist/filmmaker your 'free' time needs to be managed in a way that you can continue to move forward on your projects as well as find time to do laundry and see friends. Staying organized and understanding the value of your time is an important attitude when keeping a steady momentum in an artistic career.
2. HAVE FUN!
Whether your are working full time or part time in an unrelated industry while pursuing an artistic career it is important to have fun, sounds very elementary I know but this is a big one! This will also keep you from feeling bitter and anxious about 'work'. I have taken it on as a duty at work to tell reaaaallllly bad jokes, even if I am the only one laughing at them! And when you are having fun, you are more likely to stumble upon a new idea for a project!
3. FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES
If you hang with turkeys, you won't soar with eagles. I have begun to discover that the people we surround ourselves with will impact us on many levels. Our personal and professional networks begin to intermingle, and 'hanging out for a beer' somehow turns into an impromptu photo shoot or short film, or a gig on your buddy's next feature. The hard part is recognizing that there are people in your inner circle that may throw off your balancing act. We must cut our losses, and make sacrifices that are selfish.
4. INTUITION AND GUT FEELINGS
Learn to trust your instincts. It is important to be aware of your senses. Acknowledge when an idea excites you and then act on it! That feeling of excitement (or on the other end of the spectrum, the feeling of dread) is a giant flashing arrow, steering you where you want to be, but if your radar is not on to pick up on these little signals, you may miss out on a lot of opportunity.
5. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE!
Your dreams will not be built over night, but you must continue to chip away at it with perseverance an dedication. Even if it is one small thing everyday, one audition submission before work, one blog, an e-mail to set up a meeting, one scary phone call you have been putting off. By doing a little bit everyday, you are less likely to become over-whelmed and at the same time you are constantly reminding yourself that you ARE actively pursuing your career in the arts!
How do we keep ourselves from going off the deep end and into the dark places of ourselves.
5 TIPS ON BALANCING LIFE AND ART
1. TIME MANAGEMENT
One thing that I have realized is that when being an artist/filmmaker your 'free' time needs to be managed in a way that you can continue to move forward on your projects as well as find time to do laundry and see friends. Staying organized and understanding the value of your time is an important attitude when keeping a steady momentum in an artistic career.
2. HAVE FUN!
Whether your are working full time or part time in an unrelated industry while pursuing an artistic career it is important to have fun, sounds very elementary I know but this is a big one! This will also keep you from feeling bitter and anxious about 'work'. I have taken it on as a duty at work to tell reaaaallllly bad jokes, even if I am the only one laughing at them! And when you are having fun, you are more likely to stumble upon a new idea for a project!
3. FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES
If you hang with turkeys, you won't soar with eagles. I have begun to discover that the people we surround ourselves with will impact us on many levels. Our personal and professional networks begin to intermingle, and 'hanging out for a beer' somehow turns into an impromptu photo shoot or short film, or a gig on your buddy's next feature. The hard part is recognizing that there are people in your inner circle that may throw off your balancing act. We must cut our losses, and make sacrifices that are selfish.
4. INTUITION AND GUT FEELINGS
Learn to trust your instincts. It is important to be aware of your senses. Acknowledge when an idea excites you and then act on it! That feeling of excitement (or on the other end of the spectrum, the feeling of dread) is a giant flashing arrow, steering you where you want to be, but if your radar is not on to pick up on these little signals, you may miss out on a lot of opportunity.
5. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE!
Your dreams will not be built over night, but you must continue to chip away at it with perseverance an dedication. Even if it is one small thing everyday, one audition submission before work, one blog, an e-mail to set up a meeting, one scary phone call you have been putting off. By doing a little bit everyday, you are less likely to become over-whelmed and at the same time you are constantly reminding yourself that you ARE actively pursuing your career in the arts!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Networking and Working from YOURSELF
I am beginning to discover more about the ART of networking. It really does start with you and your personal network. I have this image in my mind about reach outwards and trying to pull people in, as opposed to working from yourself and reaching out to those closest to you. When you begin with YOU, you begin to flash like some sort of beacon, and you send out a wave, like an audio pulse or like skipping a stone in water.
And if you are working from yourself with honesty and passion your limitations disappear, and this world becomes more like the vast ocean of opportunity that really is.
I guess I could then say that we should work FROM ourselves FOR ourselves, because the payoff to this is sheer joy. Also we must remember that energy is contagious, so awareness of where we are with ourselves is a huge factor when it comes to our interactions with other people. This limits projecting onto others and ego driven drama. It becomes easier to weed through interactions with negative people, stay grounded and focussed, and SHINE! :)
A book that I really love is "The Four Agreements" By Miguel Ruiz. They sounds simple, but these can make a great difference when it comes to networking and social interactions.
(from the inside cover of the book)
1. BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
2. DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. What you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.
3. DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
4. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST
Your best if going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse, and regret.
Now if we apply these JUST to networking, think of the strong relationships we can all develop!
XOXO
Kate
And if you are working from yourself with honesty and passion your limitations disappear, and this world becomes more like the vast ocean of opportunity that really is.
I guess I could then say that we should work FROM ourselves FOR ourselves, because the payoff to this is sheer joy. Also we must remember that energy is contagious, so awareness of where we are with ourselves is a huge factor when it comes to our interactions with other people. This limits projecting onto others and ego driven drama. It becomes easier to weed through interactions with negative people, stay grounded and focussed, and SHINE! :)
A book that I really love is "The Four Agreements" By Miguel Ruiz. They sounds simple, but these can make a great difference when it comes to networking and social interactions.
(from the inside cover of the book)
1. BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
2. DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. What you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.
3. DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
4. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST
Your best if going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse, and regret.
Now if we apply these JUST to networking, think of the strong relationships we can all develop!
XOXO
Kate
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Partnerships
This morning I am thinking about the power of partnerships. Whether its with big name companies, peers, or organizations, we are ALWAYS better off when we help each other out. Ok, so it may take time to stay in touch, to call, to organize meetings, but those formalities could never add up to the value of relationships! This is true in every industry, age, walk of life.
There are lots of people that I have come across in the last few years that are so complacent, and 'happy' with simple and predictable routine, they feel as if they've "missed their chance" and that their "ship has sailed" and all of the millions of cliches that only scream out "CHASING MY DREAMS IS TOO SCARY, TOO RISKY, AND I COULD NEVER DO IT!"
Today I would like to tell everyone that (just like they tell us on Sesame Street or Blue's Clues), you can do anything you want to do and be everything you want to be if you sincerely believe and commit! The part that gets lost in this translation is ACTIVELY believing, turning thought into action, limiting wasted contemplation.
I will be the first to admit that all of these things sound fine and dandy, but that day-to-day life does not allow it to be easy, but hey each day is an opportunity to take a tiny step in the direction of your dreams!
Challenge yourself, challenge your THOUGHTS about yourself, and you will be pleasantly surprised that most obstacles are internal, not external....especially if you know the right people ;)
Cheers, and DO ONE THING today that you have been putting off for 'some' reason!
Kate
There are lots of people that I have come across in the last few years that are so complacent, and 'happy' with simple and predictable routine, they feel as if they've "missed their chance" and that their "ship has sailed" and all of the millions of cliches that only scream out "CHASING MY DREAMS IS TOO SCARY, TOO RISKY, AND I COULD NEVER DO IT!"
Today I would like to tell everyone that (just like they tell us on Sesame Street or Blue's Clues), you can do anything you want to do and be everything you want to be if you sincerely believe and commit! The part that gets lost in this translation is ACTIVELY believing, turning thought into action, limiting wasted contemplation.
I will be the first to admit that all of these things sound fine and dandy, but that day-to-day life does not allow it to be easy, but hey each day is an opportunity to take a tiny step in the direction of your dreams!
Challenge yourself, challenge your THOUGHTS about yourself, and you will be pleasantly surprised that most obstacles are internal, not external....especially if you know the right people ;)
Cheers, and DO ONE THING today that you have been putting off for 'some' reason!
Kate
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day
It is a cold and snowy Valentine's Day in Montreal, so what better thing to do than to create a blog while waiting for my man to come home from work and cook me dinner, with a bottle of red wine in hand of course (no wine could be a deal-breaker). I am wondering if having a blog will actually affect my verbal spewing, although I am doubtful. I have been a journal writer since I was 9, and my affinity for pen and paper will never die I'm sure.
So Raindance Montreal had it's official launch last Monday, and I am plugging away at making it a valuable tool for my fellow filmmakers. New partnerships and relationships are forming at light-speed!
I developed an interest in RAINDANCE CANADA, while still living in the suburban outskirts of Toronto, just over two years ago(had even planned to volunteer), but shortly thereafter Reese and I made an impulse decision to move to Montreal two months after visiting the city for the first time. I continued to receive their online newsletters, keeping myself in the loop of the certificates, workshops, and support that Raindance was offering filmmakers in their Toronto community.
After our first year in Montreal, Reese and I became HUNGRY for art, specifically FILM. A friend that I had made working as a cook at a pub downtown had a Sony Handycam that her mom had bought her a few years back. We began to write. This is the birth of THE TEAM AWESOME SHOW (www.theteamawesomeshow.com), the first 3 episodes have been released and there are two more still in post production.
This brings me to TWITTER...as a part of my online marketing research, I decided that it seemed valuable to create a twitter account, especially while launching a Web-Series. Naturally, I found Raindance and followed them (as I also had NO idea who/what to follow lol). Sometime in August there was a tweet from Raindance that I read, promoting some more of their Toronto workshops, I finally had to act! I sent a msg to them: "You guys should totally bring your workshops to Montreal!" It seems that I cast my line out and have reeled them in :) On my birthday, this past August 26, I received a message back from Elliot in London, completely endorsing the idea of expanding Raindance Canada, needing someone on the ground here to set it up, and BAZINGAAAAAA here I am. I have experience with exactly that from my time working for an acting studio in T.O for a year and a half.
It seems that my first blog is longggggggg, so I will stop the puck here. Thought it made sense to write a bit about who I am, and what I'm all about! Feel free to contact me about Raindance Montreal, follow me on Twitter, and add me to Facebook! ECT ECT :)
Cheers and chocolates to all!
Kate
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