Seth Godin's 'Quieting the Lizard Brain'

Hi, hi.

Tomorrow's the final post in my Tips for the Design Team-curious series and I'm hoping that something within the series has felt like I wrote it just for you.

Because I sort of did ... if what I had to say found you at the moment you needed to hear it ... then it was for you.

I came across this video today [shared on a blog I follow http://olivebites.blogspot.com/] and some of the things Seth Godin has to say about how creative people work sounded like they were spoken just for me.

So I really wanted to post it here so you could spot the words you were meant to hear too!

It really chimes with lots of the things I've been trying to say in my series .... and hey, it's from Seth Godin for goodness sake ... you'll learn something useful whether you like it or not.

It's no quick soundbite, in fact it's almost 20 minutes long.

But I reckon that if you need to hear what he has to say about quieting the inner voices that tell us we're going to fail ... you'll find those 20 minutes from somewhere.

Enjoy:

Seth Godin: Quieting the Lizard Brain from 99% on Vimeo.

See you tomorrow.

Julie

What's *your* personal 'best'?

Hello you.

Tell me ...

Saving things for 'best':

... is that something you do?
Is there something you're over-protective of; something you'd rather preserve than use; something you're afraid will become dirty / worn / imperfect / spoiled / broken or used-up?

Something you prefer to have safely tucked away; wrapped up; left unopened?

So, what is it?

• Patterned paper?
• Fabric?
• Beads?
• Dresses?
• Underwear?
• Tablecloths?

You tell me.

What's mine?

Well ... I'm all about protecting my 'best' notebooks from my drivel, my scribblings, my meaningless notes, my brain-emptying ... because I get it into my head that what they really deserve is only my 'best' work, my biggest plans, my most inspired ideas, my completely hilarious one-liners.

So I find myself using cheap, less-lovely notebooks first, or the ones someone else bought me that I didn't choose ... that have less emotional baggage attached.

[Why, yes, I believe I have indeed just admitted to attaching emotional baggage to notebooks ... you're seriously going to have to 'fess up about your own craziness now to make up for it!]

And do you know what happens when I'm using those second-best books?

I fill them with ease because I don't feel like I'm spoiling them!

And then, despite all the scrawl, no ...  because of all the scrawl and the workings out and doodles ... well, because of all this ...

... there's my best work ... my best ideas ... right there on those dog-eared pages.

So, I really ought to take my own advice ... the advice within this micro mini-book I made for a friend:

 The advice, [coined by my own fair brain] which goes ...that, when all's said and done ....

... your heart:

... is ...

... the only thing really worth ...

... saving ...

... for ...

... best.

And seeing as how I already managed that bit ...  the next time I need to make a note ... I'll try to remember my own advice  ...

... and reach for that beautiful notebook.

Because I can't predict when 'best' is going to show up ... and I don't want that pile of empty notebooks to stay that way forever.
So what do you say? Any plans to make the best of now?

Let me know if you blog about your personal 'best' and I'll drop round to read it.

Julie x


-----------------------------------
Supplies
Chipboard 'Micro Accordian Book': by Collections Elements from 3DJean.co.uk [whose DT I'm part of].
Chipboard heart: by Collections Elements from 3DJean.co.uk

All papers + embellishments: from Crafty Templates' 'Downtown Tea Party' Quirky Kit which I'm guest designing with this month.

Stamps: new Papermania border stamps plus Studio G alphas.
Paint
Roller Doodle from Glitz
Punches by X-Cut

Also ... held together with love ... and a small ocean of Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Gloss Medium!

Tips for the Design Team-curious. 7: Moving on, branching out, going around!

Hi again.

Welcome to Part 7, the penultimate part of Tips for the Design Team-curious.

It's been really gratifying over the last few days to get more feedback on the series, especially as it has come in from people across the entire Design Team spectrum: from the newly selected to those who've moved on and from DT hopefuls to those who run their own teams.

I'm aware that some people might not want to leave a comment or ask a question here or on Twitter in full public view. So, if there's something you'd like to say, but would prefer to tell me privately, you're welcome to email me instead [there's a link in my sidebar].

Similarly the final installment of the series will be a general round-up post where I'll do my best to answer any questions, or raise any points you'd like me cover. I've already had a few requests via the comments but again, email is fine if you'd prefer [and I won't use your name if I refer to your question in my post].

So ... throw your queries at me, I'll have a net handy to catch them in.

OK then ... onwards and upwards !

--------------------------------------
Today's post is especially for you if you're thinking:

• I've been on a DT already ... now what?
• I'm too independent to follow the DT route;
• I don't think the DT life is for me ... but I'm still open to new experiences;
• I want a wider blog readership without the commitment of a full DT role;
• I can't spend time promoting a DT when I have my own ventures to support ... and so on ... 

Sound like you? Then read on ...

While writing this series I've always been aware that Design Team life isn't what everybody reading this is looking for. Nor should it be. Which is why I've done my best to provide a balanced view of the whole topic.

It's also why I now want to suggest some alternative avenues which you may prefer to stroll down if you're not looking for a DT role but still you are:

• ambitious;
• self-motivated;
• confident in your own abilities;
• or simply have an undefined drive to do more, try more, be more, make more.

Here's my favourite option first!
1. Become your own Design Team!
You know all of that care, attention and time you are required to put into DT work and DT blog posts?

Well ... call me a crazy heretic if you will, but ... why not concentrate all of that on your own work and your own blog?
It's the main reason I stood down from all but one DT roles. I'd begun to feel like I was diluting myself by doing too much. I wanted - needed - to redirect my energies into my own personal ventures such as taking on more magazine work; setting up an etsy shop and writing and delivering my own classes.

And while I've removed the external pressures I still produce the same amount of work [if not more] only now ... the majority of it is for the Brand of Me, Julie Kirk Ltd ... 

• I am now my own Design Team.
• I represent me.
• My blog represents my best work.
• In my spare time I use social media to promote myself.
• I build up my own regular blog features eg. My Month in Numbers and my Overheards.

What I'm trying to say is that wherever you are on the DT-curious scale you can still model your creativity and blogging habits on the DT model:

• put in the effort to create quality projects - ones you'd be happy to share on a DT blog;
• learn to take great photos of those projects - which would be expected of you;
• consistently blog those photos and projects -  as if you were working to someone else's schedule;
• set yourself challenges as if you were joining in with DT blog segments;
• set yourself blog features, categories or set up your own blog hops with blogging friends;
• learn a few ways to improve the look of your blog.

It's not wrong; blinkered; selfish or 'thinking small' to put as much thought into your own blog as you would if you had exposure on a large, established DT site.

Not only do you deserve a professional, attractive online home as much as anyone ... it will pay you back as it can serve as an amazing landing site for anyone you give the link to.
They might be:

• Design Team recruiters;
• magazine editors;
• book commissioning editors;
• any employer who needs to assess your creative skills.

Time spent building your own blog / brand is never wasted, then, if you feel like branching out from your own site ...

2. How about ... setting up a challenge or inspiration blog?
For 2 years I teamed up the amazing Kirsty Neale on The Copy and Paste Project which began as an inspiration blog where we made projects and posted eye and brain candy ... and led to us delivering online workshops together.

Working on an additional blog to your own definitely takes time. For instance The C+P Project is on an indefinite hiatus while Kirsty and I work on other things.

[Why do I now feel I should be reassuring you that she and I we're still good friends and it doesn't mean we don't love you all very much?!].

But despite the additional time factor, such blogs can be a great way to indulge in something different to what you might feature on your personal blog.

• have you noticed a niche in the market for a particular kind of challenge site or style of inspiration?
• don't wait for someone else to deliver it - jump in there now - you never know wher eit might lead you!
• you can even take on your own 'just for fun' Design Team to help you with the posting duties;

Speaking of Design Teams ...
3. How about ... setting up your own Design Team?
You don't need to run your own international craft supplies business or be a large scale online store to set up your own Design Team.

• do you have an etsy shop?
• do you sell from your own blog / site?
• do you sell items which another crafter could use in their work, which they can help you spread the word about?
• have you written any tutorials which you could package and sell online which you could give to a DT to demonstrate?

Why not take on all of the pointers both positive and negative touched on throughout the series and become the Design Team you want to see in the world! ;-)

Click to visit SJ's site.

 SJ Dowsett, the owner of Little Musings began by sharing her illustrations on her blog but when this developed into a digital image and acrylic stamp business she moved on to the next steps: setting up a Little Musings webstore and recruiting her own Design Team to help promote her work.
If you're thinking of taking a similar leap into become a recruiter SJ has the following advice:

"Deciding to ask people to design for me was a daunting yet exciting task, I did it through a mix of DT Call and direct emailing to people who's work I admired and showed great skill with stamps.

My advice to small businesses looking for a DT is to be upfront about what you need from the team in your emails, and also what you can offer them in return, that way everyone is on the same page from the start :)"

Done well, a DT search can create a buzz around your blog / Facebook page / Twitter profile and bring new people to your product. After all, I was a guest designer for SJ's DT and now look ... I'm telling you about her now ...

If you've been wondering what the next step to 'upscale' your business might be ... taking on your own DT might just be the boost it needs.

But if it's your blog traffic and your profile you're seeking to boost ...

4. Have you thought about ... Guest Designing?
A guest designer is someone who works for a DT for a limited time only - often for a single month or with a single kit.

For example: I'm Guest Designing for the Crafty Templates Quirky Kits, a team I once had a full-time commitment to, whereas now I'm just working with a kit just throughout June.

A Guest DT roles offer you:

• some of the benefits of DT life, without the need to commit yourself full time;
• exposure on a blog other than your own;
• new, interesting supplies to work with;

These vacancies are usually advertised on the company's blog and all of the sources of DT news [eg. the Scrapbook Calls blog] which I listed in Part 5.

I find guest roles a really nice, contained DT experience, so don't rule them out even if it's a full time spot you're seeking.

Similarly ...
5. Have you thought about ...  Guest Blogging?

Like guest designing, guest blogging is a low commitment, short, focussed way to be seen by a wider readership.
That said, you've got to do a lot of work to get it right!

• Decide what you think you can offer a blog by way of new, interesting content that their existing readership will be interested in;
• Look around for a blog which is a good fit to your style and subject matter and which you'd like to contribute to;
• Look around that site for details on how/if they accept submissions, expressions of interest in guesting for them - many of the larger crafting or indeed blogs of ANY SUBJECT AREA will have something like this for you to read;
• if not, simply email the blog owner [if they want to be contacted they'll have an address you can reach them on];
• Politely but confidently put forward the idea for your guest post. What's the worst that can happen?
• Some larger blogs pay for guest contributions, a fact that will either be made clear on their blog or during initial communication with them.

OK then  .... how about Guest Blogging for Shimelle Laine?
Are you a scrapbooker or someone whose work would be of interest to scrapbookers? If so then you could consider proposing yourself as a guest blogger for Shimelle  Laine:

Click to drop in on Shimelle.

Shimelle accepts submissions especially if they fit with her regular Tutorials and 5 Ideas posts [a feature I've contributed to earlier this year here.].

Even if you have no prior experience of Design Teams, guest blogging or being published don't let this put you off!  Shimelle says:

"If the design is useful to my readers I'm happy to feature all types of scrappers in all stages of their 'careers' as it were."

And, gratifyingly her criteria for guest posters is very close to the advice I've been setting down throughout this series regarding: the quality of your existing blog, your photography skills and confident communication.

Here's what Shimelle herself will be bearing in mind when she receives your proposal:

• When I link to my guest posters' blogs, I want my readers to find something relevant. If your blog isn't about scrapbooking at all, perhaps it would be better to include a link to your page gallery. I'd be happy to look at that!
• I'm looking for someone who can write their guest post clearly and will look to see if your existing blog posts convey someone who thinks clearly, proofreads their work at least a little and can communicate well.  I don't expect it to be perfect, I'm looking for posts that show passion and thought, and I'm okay with imperfection with that!
• I'm looking for well photographed work or at least photography which seems like you took time and care over and which I could give tips to improve if necessary.

So if that sounds like something you'd like to offer Shimelle and her [many] readers ...
Here's how to apply:

• send Shimelle an email [follow the link on her website]with an idea of what you'd like to write about;
• include a link to you blog or gallery.
• if your post is accepted you will receive the details on deadline and requirements and anything else you need to know about.

 Personally I'd like to think you told her that I sent you ... but that's an entirely optional criteria! ;-)

And finally ...

6. How about getting your work published?
Appearing before a large readership; producing quality work; writing tutorials; taking photos; illustrating; writing interesting features ...

... you can be paid to do all this you know? And then you get the additional pleasure of seeing your name and work in print.

[Plus ... if you're anything like me you also get to see your face in print ... and then you get to hear all of your friends say 'Who's that?', 'That doesn't look like you' 'That's not you?'  ... but hey, don't let that put you off ...]
If it's a new, challenging, test of your confidence and skills you're seeking why not aim for publication?

• there are a lot of print magazines out there, all with content to find and pages to fill;
• there are a growing number of online magazines with the same task at hand;
• if you're already doing the work [and blogging it etc] then the only thing you need to do is approach a magazine with your work and an expression of interest in contributing to their publication.

Like getting on a Design Team ... I assure you it's not as mysterious or elusive a prospect as you might think.
And if today's the first time you begin to believe that fact then you, like me, can thank a good friend of mine for the enlightenment! [Thanks H].

With a great deal of writing for publication experience in to speak from, once she knew that I too harboured dreams of writing for a living she told me something along the lines of:

"Editors are looking for people they can rely on to do the work."

I'm sorry if that doesn't sound glamorous enough. But I trusted her judgement ... and really, it should be comforting to you too.

Clearly you've got to have something other than reliability to get in print ... but it is a great starting point and it's the best way to get repeat work once your foot is in the door.
As I said about DTs:

• if you put in the time, care, attention and respect required then you can become as useful to a magazine editor as they are to you. 
• if you can produce consistently good work, maintain good communication, follow a brief and meet deadlines you'll be on your way to becoming a useful contributor to an editor their own deadlines to meet. 

For tips on how to approach an editor with your expression of interest head back to Part 3 of this series, titled 'Shaping up for Selection', where I made suggestions on how to approach a Design Team recruiter. Everything from the heading 'But don't be put off' down is the same advice I would give to someone seeking a publication opportunity.

If this is what you want, best of luck to you. 

Go make yourself useful ... go add some colour to all those empty pages!

[And send me a photo of them when you're done!]

• Don't give up if you want to move forward but can't seem to get a DT break;
• don't forget to be your own Design Team! Promote yourself, apply a proffessional approach to your own work; 
• while you're waiting for that initial opportunity, work on the quality of your own blog;
• look around for guest designing opportunities;
• if necessary - bypass the DT life altogether and head straight towards publishing or even creating your own Design Team around your own particular products / talents etc 

• Ask youself what topic you could guest blog about;
• Seek out a suitable match for your style and subject matter or approach your current favourite large blogs;
• Ask, ask, ask. They can only say no.
• If they do say no ... ask someone else!  
• Use your blog to work on ideas and themes you'd like to offer magazine editors.

Do you know what? It's ALL about the real world ... all of it.

• the blogging;
• the writing;
• the making;
• the offering up; asking for a chance;
• the sticking your neck out; taking risks;
• the daring to fail and daring to try again afterwards;
• the being yourself while aiming to be your best self;
• the being confident and acting like you are even when you're not ... then knowing it's still OK when you're not;
• the believing there's always another way round; another route to where you want to be; another avenue to try ....

All of it is the real world.

Your real world.

Let me know how you get on out there!

-------------------
Join me later this week for the final part of in the series -  and remember to ask any questions  you want me to address before then! 
That said, I'm not going anywhere ... and neither is the series ... so feel free to drop in on me and chat anytime afterwards.

See you very soon.
Julie x
----------------------
Please note: During the series I do NOT refer in a negative way to any teams or companies by name. I ask that, if you share experiences or opinions in a comment, you stick to this too. Thank you in advance … you can collect yourself an ‘I Play Nice’ sticker for your cardigan on your way out. 

© Julie Kirk 2007-2011 The images used throughout the series feature the projects I've made and photographed as part of my Design Team commitments over the last 4 years.

Tips for the Design Team-curious. 6: Making *it* work for *you*!

Hi, hi, hi.

We're on the home stretch now, just this plus 2 posts next week to go for my part of this series.

But for you ... I don't know, maybe this is just the start of something for you? I hope so! Even if it has nothing to do with Design Teams I wonder if the series has:

• maybe marked a change in your confidence about your own work [see Part 3];
• motivated you to develop your photography skills [as covered in Part 4]
• or if you're looking for even more ideas of where to go and how to move forward in the industry without going down the DT route at all ... then hang around next week for Part 7 which will look at all kinds of new beginnings and new places to share your creativity.

But before that ... there's today ...

Today's post will be useful to you once you get that DT role or indeed if you're already on one:

Once you're on the team that spare time you once had to craft, create and experiment entirely for yourself will now, in part, have to be shared with your DT work and naturally creating and blogging to fit someone else's schedule comes with its own pressures. But with a few simple actions you can support both the team and the Brand of You at the same time.


Start managing your own 'brand'
If you focus on yourself, you can still doing offer the team your best work while making sure it's the best work for you too.  This is a great way to dodge feelings of resentment that could emerge while you're spending your free time promoting a company that isn't yours.


Manage your brand ... in your blog post layout:

• Where possible, add your name at the top of your posts on the DT blog. Blogging platforms add the name of the author automatically at the bottom of the post but, let's face it, we don't always read down to the very end do we? Having your name at the top can help connect your name with the amazing project you made ... even if the reader clicks away before the end!
• Similarly in my current DT role I put my first name in the title of my posts eg. 'Julie :: Vintage style card'. 
• Add link to your blog at the end of the post [I make my name an active link to my blog] just in case your project leaves someone craving more of you!

Obviously different DTs might have different rules on this so you might want to check with them beforehand. But between them, the teams I've been on have encouraged their DT members to identify themselves at the start of a post to inject individual personality into the blog and also to end with their own unique sign-off for the same reason.

Manage your brand ... in your blog content:

Don't be shy to publicise the fact that you're on a DT on your own blog - this really doesn't mean your giving the hard-sell.

• If you blog a DT project on your own blog make it clear that it's a DT project.
• I like to do this as I don't want anyone to feel like I was 'selling' anything without being up front. 
• Likewise, I prefer it when I read a someone elses blog, to see them mention it clearly in the post ... as opposed to leaving it out deliberately - or not stating it as they imagine everyone already knows what teams they're on. There are a lot of bloggers out there and with the best will in the world I can't remember everyone's details.
• This needn't mean you make a major declaration of interest but just a simple 'Hi, here's my DT project for X this week' keeps things nice and open [or maybe it's just me who cares about this??]
• Publicise your turn on the DT blog in the same way you would your own posts. Seeing as how many DTs expect you to use social networks anyway ... you might as well use it to your mutual advantage.

Also,

• when possible write posts, on your own blog on the same day you have a post on the DT blog to cross promote your work. 

This may seem like double the effort, but it needn't always be:

• if you make 3 cards in a session, blog 2 for the DT blog and put one on your own with links to/from both posts;
• if you blog a layout on the DT blog, maybe blog an embellishmet or technique you used on your own blog;
• if it's a stamped image you blog for the DT, show a few colour variations on your own ... anything to increas ethe chances of a reader hopping between them. More readers for your own blog + more for the DT blog too = win, win.
• the two blogs are likely to have a different readerships, so you're not really just showing the same people the same thing twice. 

The calendar is your friend
Firstly all those DT commitments will need adding into your calendar ... but while you're there let the calendar work in your favour.

It will depend on what kind of creating you do and the nature of the team you're on, but still, there are many ways you can use your DT life to get your daily life organised in advance. Before starting from scratch on a new DT project, consult your calendar, see what's coming up ... and then:

• make cards which  for upcoming birthdays, anniversaries etc etc
• make your cards with someone specific in mind. This will save you having to find time later to make them a handmade card outside of your DT commitments!
• make gift tags etc ahead of time for special occasions;
• layouts, mini-books can all fulfil your DT commitments AND be given as a gift;
• Altered items, off-the-page items, decorated notebooks / frames / boxes ... the list is endless ... but all can be made and blogged for your DT schedule, then wrapped [in bags you've made in a previous DT project!] then given as teacher's gifts, thank yous, emergency 'oh no I forgot it was your birthday' gifts.

 Far from stealing away all of your spare time your DT commitments can actually become a great opportunity to set time aside to create special handmade cards and gifts.


 But hey ... with all this give, give, giving ... don't forget to ...

Please yourself!

Yes, when I was on the Gauche Alchemy DT I made a scrapbook page about one of the toilets at work.

• I made it because I wanted to,  not because it was a 'theme of the week' on their blog or anything!
• It made me smile [you might remember from Part 3 that I made a few other pages that made me smile when I was on that team too!] ... and what else was I going to do with a photo I took in a toilet?
• I've tried to organise myself enough so that I when I had something I HAD to do ... it was also something I WANTED to do, and would have done anyway.

In short:

• I've practised combining my 'hobby crafter' self with my 'DT crafter' self to make sure they don't become separate.

So, that's why I say you should make what you want to make.

It may sound obvious to say, after all, once we leave school we don't often sit around making things we don't want to make! But ...

... but when those deadlines are looming you can naturally be tempted to just make something, anything, to fill that gap! But you might not want to do this too often because, in effect, you'll wasting your 'wages'!

In Part 2 we put to bed the myth that you get 'free' stuff when you're on a DT because you pay for it in time and effort. But when you're using those products - your wages - on:

• projects you like'
• projects that feel like 'you';
• projects you can even say you love;
• projects you would have made anyway even if no one was expecting you to ...

 ... well, then you're getting some true value from them.

Because anything else:

• such as making something because you had to;
• using up all your fee [products] on a project you don't really care about and will probably bin afterwards;
• and only doing it to please the DT blog ... 

 ...  well, to me that's a bit like going out to work, getting paid in hard cash ... but then spending all the money on your boss just to keep them happy!

You wouldn't do it in 'real' life, so why fall into that trap in your DT role? As long as you're producing quality work and showing commitment to your team I see no reason not to keep yourself happy too!

But ... once you're all happily settled into your DT marriage ... it shouldn't  mean you should let your crafting muscles get flabby ... you should still put the effort in ...

Please yourself - but push yourself too:
Here I'm not really talking about craftyfolk who are on a DT for the camerarderie or purely as a casual hobby, I'm really aiming this at those who are:

• hoping a spot on a DT is only the start of a career [in whatever form] within the creative industry;
• hoping to build a larger blog-following [for whatever reason ie: to build your own business around]; 
• or even those hoping it will bring them something ... without quite yet knowing what the something is!

So, this part is for you if you want to:

• capitalise on the platform / audience you've been given on a DT blog;
• really test yourself / prove yourself /stretch yourself while you're there;
• prevent yourself getting bored or stuck in a creative rut ...

... then use the motivation of having to produce work to a schedule to push you into:

• pushing the limits of the products you get sent;
• thinking of alternative uses for them - novelty is often a winner on DT blogs as, really, as there is a danger of projects which all use the same products becoming 'samey'.
• test out ideas, experiment;
• keep a notebook of future ideas to tackle;
• develop all those half-ideas in the back of your mind;
• don't be afraid of being you. Don't water yourself down because you're on a mainstream blog. Presumably they chose you because they liked your work as it was! Don't go changing ...  
• improve your photography skills and start writing tutorials as we covered in Part 4.

And finally, if you want people to know you beyond your Design Team tenure be different ...make yourself  memorable!

This way, not only will it help you in carrying readers with you across to your own blog ... if you're anything like me, it'll stop you getting complacent and even bored!

I'll admit that I do get easily bored, distracted, eager to move on to the next new thing ... so all those tips I've just laid out are truly all ones I've tried to live by myself.

When I worked with Banana Frog stamps, alongside plenty of cards and layouts, I also tried out  making jewellery, a belt, wrapping paper and notebooks. I stamped on tea towels, T-shirts, shoes, pebbles and sea glass [all those projects can be found in my master-list of DT projects!]

And I even once attempted to make a project out of stamping on my fingernails using Staz-On ... it didn't work ... but I've still not entirely given up on the idea!

And looking back on the work I did there I'm pleased I pushed myself:

• Now I have a body of work, a post-DT-portfolio, of projects I can be proud of.
• I have projects I can confidently show to magazine editors;
• I have samples which I could easily build a class around and if I ever wanted to teach them.

I made things I would never have just sat at home and made 'just because', but the deadlines and the knowledge that I had a larger platform than my own blog to perform on pushed me to make the most of it. Both for the team .. and for myself.

• plan ahead as much as possible;
• fit DT projects around things you need to make [ie. gifts + cards] or that you want to make [ie. creating your own albums etc];
• Don't be shy of being 'you' even when you're representing the DT;
• Don't be shy of discussing your DT work on your own blog - it's too time consuming to split yourself into two separate crafty-people!
• Push yourself to try new things - don't always play it safe;

• you can work with the calendar too, planing posts around special occasions, themes etc- this can help if you're stuck for ideas of what to blog.
• draft some posts ahead of time, not everything has to be made, photographed and blogged in the same week. 
• If a project would compliment an upcoming occasion [ie: Halloween, Christmas, Summer etc] why not draft out the post and then save it up until the next one comes around. Then you'll be ahead of the game.
• if you start to resent blogging - have a break - think about what you like being featured on blogs then come back refreshed and do that!

 

• I'm almost certain that, if you went back and replaced wherever I've written 'Design Team role' with 'whatever your job title is' and the words 'DT blog' with 'wherever you work' , the tips would  apply to you too;
• Find ways within the system to develop your own role, either simply to keep you happy while you're there ... or to help you develop skills so you can move on!

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OK then, I'll leave you alone now ... so you can polish and refine your plans to single-handedly take over the Craftiverse.

Best of luck ... and do let me know how you get on!

See you next week for the final 2 parts.

Julie

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Please note: During the series I do NOT refer in a negative way to any teams or companies by name. I ask that, if you share experiences or opinions in a comment, you stick to this too. Thank you in advance … you can collect yourself an ‘I Play Nice’ sticker for your cardigan on your way out.  

© Julie Kirk 2007-2011 The images used throughout the series feature the projects I've made and photographed as part of my Design Team commitments over the last 4 years. 

Tips for the Design Team-curious. 5: Finding out about DT opportunities

Hi, hi, hi.
If Parts 3 + 4 did their job in inspiring you to pick up the Design Team gauntlet then the next thing you're going to need to know where to find those vacancies ... so read on ...

Uncovering the opportunities

They are out there ... trust me ... you just need to know where to look, so let's drop by the most obvious place first:

[1] Blogs:The majority of companies, stores, challenge sites and so on will make an announcement about searching for new Design Team members on their own blog before anything else. In fact, they'll probably even announce a 'teaser' about it a few days in advance of releasing the actual details.

If you've spotted a DT call on a blog then you're already likely to be a fan of the brand etc and the work of their existing DT as you were tuning in to their blog in the first place. And all of this should stand you in good stead when it comes to working out if that team could be the right fit for you.
However ...

.... call me psychic if you will, but while I know you follow a lot of blogs ... I doubt that you follow them all.

So you're going to miss out on the opportunities from within all those teams you've never even heard of.
Which is where the Scrapbook Calls blog comes in so very useful!

Scrapbook Calls is fantastic resource [I'm not affiliated to it in any way ... I just think it's really useful!].

Manufacturers, publications, online stores, challenge blogs and more ... can all submit the details of their DT calls, online crops, challenges, contests and events which then appear on the Scrapbook Calls blog for all to see.

It really is a one-stop-shop for you to be introduced to many new blogs and lots of new opportunities.
Just a note: many of the calls are from sites within the USA and not all of them accept international entries to their DT. This isn't a majority by any means, but I just thought I'd mention it before you sprint over there full steam ahead.

[2] Social Media:
Increasingly any manufacturer / online store / challenge site who has a blog is also likely to be involved on Facebook or Twitter too. As soon as they're ready to announce their call ... chances are you'll see it there first.

So if you're not already signed up to one or both of those sites ... you might want to give that some thought. 

As with everything I've covered so far in this series - developing social media skills are not something I'm broadly advising everyone to do 'just because'. 

However, if your specific aim is to get on a Design Team, especially the better known ones, as I covered in Part 2 'Balancing Expectations' many  recruiters now include the use of social media as one of their DT requirements.

But don't panic, it's not as big a task as you might fear! As some of you may already know ... when it comes to Twitter ... I've got your back!

Earlier this year I delivered 'Tips for the Twitter-curious' a class which talks you through the ins and outs of having and effectively using a Twitter account. 

I know that it's worked for many people ... because they've tweeted me to tell me so! So, if you're still on the Twitter fence ... give my series a read ... and see where it leads you. 

If you're already using Twitter:

• Firstly, make sure you're following all of the manufacturers / stores / blogs who you'd be interesting in seeing a DT call from.

Then ...

Save your searches

Use the 'Saved Searches' function on Twitter to help you find out about all the DT calls from teams you didn't know existed!

• Enter some search words into the search box at the top;
• Try things such as 'Design Team call' or 'DT call' then hit the search button.
• Twitter will then return all the tweets it finds which mention those terms.

Here you'll get to see any call from anyone right across Twitter! And your chances of finding a DT opportunity then expand even further.

• Now click 'Save this Search'.
• Next time you'll only need to go to the 'Searches' tab on your Home page and select 'Design Team Calls' from the list of searches you've saved.
• Twitter will do all the seeking for you. 

Similarly, if you're following me over there [I'm @notesonpaper] I often Retweet DT calls I discover, as do others involved in the industry.

So it's definitely a good place to hang around if you're looking for up-to-the-minute DT opportunities.

• Check out Scrapbook Calls, subscribe to their blog; I think they even have an email newsletter too.
• If you don't use social media already ... consider it ... soon; 
• Refer to online tutorials - like my Tips for the Twitter-curious class - to help you with your first steps;
• If you're already using Twitter, use the Saved Searches function to assist you.

• Even if you're not interested in the DT element of the Scrapbook Calls blog, it's still worth you having a look at the contests, crops and other events advertised on there.
• Also - if you click to their Scrapcalls Challenge Blogs button you can see their extensive list of challenge blogs which you might want to work your way through.
• Entering all those challenges should keep you out of mischief - and keep your blog filled with new projects for a while!

• It's not only opportunites and vacancies related to the crafts industry which are advertised on Twitter - I've seen many, many job opportunites / expressions of interest / 'can anyone help out' type tweets on there.
• If you're job hunting make sure to follow any local agencies, business leaders/groups/networks etc plus any establishments you'd ideally like to work for;
• This way you'll not only be there when they mention a new opportunity - you can get to know what's important to them, what they're engaged in, who else they connect with too. All useful information to have when seeking that new position.

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Before I go I'd like to sneak in a quick mention for a Guest Designing spot I have throughout June. It's for  Crafty Templates and I've been working with their latest Quirky Kit, the first project from which I've  blogged about over there today:

Click image to visit the full post.

But you see ... the interesting thing is ... designing with the Quirky Kits was my first ever Design Team experience!  Leo [who owns Crafty Templates] had emailed me to ask if I'd design for her kits after seeing my scrapbook papges in the UKScrappers gallery. I accepted and went on to design for her for 2 years.

I remember being speechless when I read that first message; amazed that someone liked what I did enough to ask me to help promote her new kits. Now, almost 3 years to the day, here we are again ...

• Leo emailed to ask if I'd like to be a Guest Designer for a month;
• I accept and then realise what else I'm doing that month ...
• Why, I'm slap-bang in the middle of delivering a series in which I get to pass on to you everything I learned from that first DT experience onward!

A nice, entirely coincidental, but truly full-circle piece of timing ... wouldn't you say?

Julie x
p.s: see you soon for Part 6 'Making it work for you' where we'll look at surviving your DT experiences ... it is possible ... because look! I'm still here!
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Please note: During the series I do NOT refer in a negative way to any teams or companies by name. I ask that, if you share experiences or opinions in a comment, you stick to this too. Thank you in advance … you can collect yourself an ‘I Play Nice’ sticker for your cardigan on your way out.  

© Julie Kirk 2007-2011 The images used throughout the series feature the projects I've made and photographed as part of my Design Team commitments over the last 4 years.