The Making of a TV Series - Part 2

I just confirmed my first guest. And, a date has been set to film. Things are moving along quickly. Today I spent time writing my opening and my script for the first show. Without giving too much away, I had a few ideas I jotted down earlier, so today I wrote up my notes and edited them down to the point where it will feel more natural when reading it from a teleprompter.  Next I timed it to see how long it will take and I'm feeling like it's a bit short. I will need to review all of this with the production team and be sure it all works and makes sense.

As the filming date gets closer and more and more details are filled in, I find myself getting excited. But I'm also realizing how much work this has become and will continue to be as I move forward. Regardless, I'm enjoying the process and am learning lots each day.

My next step is to meet with my first guest and review my notes with her. I want to let her know my vision for the first show and what her role will be. I tend to work best when I have material in writing in front of me to refer to so I do have a written script of the first show to go over with her.

More about my meeting with my first guest to come. Stay tuned...

Still overwhelmed?

More ideas to help you get through a stressful day marketing:

6. Journal. Why not spend five minutes writing freely about your life and about the things you love? Write down everything you appreciate in your life or write about plans you’d like to make for yourself in the future. Give yourself time to explore different ideas and see what comes to mind.

7. Spend time with an animal. Even if you work in the city, there’s always wildlife to be found. Listen to the birds chirping, walk over to a nearby dog park or visit a local restaurant with a fish tank. Animals have such a calming influence over us.  It’s a great way to learn how to take life one moment at a time.

8. Reflect on pleasant memories. No doubt if you’re working in an office you’ll have a photo or a memento of family or friends. Take a moment to think back about that day and reminisce about the “good times.”

9. Call a friend or make a date for yourself to do something fun. If you know there’s something wonderful to look forward to at the end of the day or week, it will make getting through the grind much easier.

10. Enjoy a small bite of dark chocolate. Notice I didn’t say go out and grab a huge candy bar and eat the whole thing, but a small amount of organic dark chocolate will do wonders for your mood. Not only is it filled with wonderful antioxidants great for your health, but its sweet, luxurious taste will put a smile on your face!

Making the Most of the Written Word

Print materials are the staple of marketing and communication initiatives. Non-profits need effectively packaged information to promote their message and communicate with their clients, volunteers, and donors. Effective collateral material can be the most cost-effective and successful way of marketing your cause.

A wide variety of materials can be used to get your message across, including brochures, business cards, letterhead, product packaging, press and media kits, direct mail pieces, advertising, newsletters, announcements, and letters.

Any marketing piece requires three components for success:

• Good design- it has to capture the reader's attention, use color appropriately, and balance appropriate amounts of white space, and text.
• Good writing- not only grammatically correct, but easy to understand and persuasive without being overbearing.    
• Solid strategy.  The best constructed marketing piece has no value if it collects dust on a shelf.  Collateral should be integrated with the rest of your sales and marketing efforts, including web design, trade shows, special events, and promotions.

Effective use of non-profit promotions can turn your marketing efforts into an exciting and rewarding experience. The key to successful promotions is often as simple as creativity, simplicity, and strategy.