Author: yongshuling

Shuling Yong is the Founder of Media For Social Change. She is a documentary filmmaker, video storyteller, speaker and educator who is passionate about utilizing her skills to make the world a better place.

Organize and Connect

Every now and then, it’s healthy to pause and reflect on the work that you want to do. I’m embarking on a set of exercises to re-think and focus, and am sharing it with you. Join in if you’d like and we can journey together.

EXERCISE 8: Organize and Connect

How and why can you organize and connect?
  • I provide a highly specialized service that most nonprofits know they need, but lack the skills/resources to get. I can organize workshops/classes/online community to connect these individuals.
  • Connecting them will help them learn from each other, share best practices, and know that they’re not alone.
List people within your sphere who are disconnected. What do they want? Who do they want to be recognized by, trusted by, or learn from?
  • Marketing/Communications and Business Development Professionals at nonprofit organizations.
  • They want to build their network of donors, volunteers and stakeholders by engaging them in the work that their organization does. Video is a great way to do that.
  • They want to be recognized by their bosses
  • They want to be trusted by their donors, volunteers and stakeholders
  • They want to learn from other people just like them

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I’m doing this as part of Seth Godin’s Udemy course for freelancers. Feel free to embark on this discovery for yourself too.

by Categories: Personal ReflectionTags: Leave a comment

Permission

Every now and then, it’s healthy to pause and reflect on the work that you want to do. I’m embarking on a set of exercises to re-think and focus, and am sharing it with you. Join in if you’d like and we can journey together.

EXERCISE 7: Permission

How many people would complain if you didn’t send out your newsletter or brochure?
currently none. I have not built the habit of sending one out on a regular basis.
Clearly articulate what promise you make to those that give you permission
Those who give me permission will receive tips, resources and updates about using media to expand their impact and reach, and stories about all that I learn along the way while running Media For Social Change, and making films.
What makes your marketing anticipated, personal and relevant?
Anticipated – if it is sent on a regular basis, like once every 2 weeks, or once a month.
Personal – include personal stories. write in first person. include pictures. give readers a peek behind the curtains
Relevant – make sure I stay on the topic of using media for change. always remember who my audience is and ask myself if they would learn from what i send.
What could you promise that people would look forward to?
  • Could be a regularly scheduled, well-put together piece of work for sale/giveaway. For example, an annual forecast of the next year’s media trends at the end of each year. Or an annual non-profit video grant.
  • Could be a promise of getting updates to see behind the scenes as I embark on projects or go certain places. For example, taking pictures and videos and sending live updates when my film screens at Sundance. Or writing about the process of making my documentary.
  • Could be a step by step course for change makers to learn how to create their own videos..
  • Ultimately, always ask myself “how can i better serve my audience”? when creating content.

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I’m doing this as part of Seth Godin’s Udemy course for freelancers. Feel free to embark on this discovery for yourself too.

by Categories: Personal ReflectionTags: Leave a comment

Develop a Unique Voice

Every now and then, it’s healthy to pause and reflect on the work that you want to do. I’m embarking on a set of exercises to re-think and focus, and am sharing it with you. Join in if you’d like and we can journey together.

EXERCISE 6: Develop a Unique Voice

If you could choose an archetype or extreme (edgecraft), what do you want your brand or work to be known for?
daring
calm
confident
friendly
edgy
knowledgeable
passionate
proud
responsive
sentimental
trustworthy
accepting
caring
dependable
giving
ingenious
logical
observant
quiet
gruff
shy
warm
adaptable
understanding
dignified
happy
intelligent
loving
organised
reflective
glamorous
silly
wise
bold
clever
energetic
helpful
bohemian
mature
patient
relaxed
sensible
spontaneous
witty
brave
complex
idealistic
kind
modest
powerful
intense
sympathetic
witty
List 5 ways you could express these attributes: Passionate, Powerful, Trustworthy, Warm
  1. Put my heart and soul into all that I do
  2. Do everything with integrity and authenticity
  3. Ensure my work first resonates with the heart, then with the brain.
  4. Treat everybody with kindness and respect
  5. Tell stories of the work I do, and the thoughts/emotions behind why I do it.

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I’m doing this as part of Seth Godin’s Udemy course for freelancers. Feel free to embark on this discovery for yourself too.

by Categories: Personal ReflectionTags: Leave a comment

What am I going to tell my boss?

Every now and then, it’s healthy to pause and reflect on the work that you want to do. I’m embarking on a set of exercises to re-think and focus, and am sharing it with you. Join in if you’d like and we can journey together.

EXERCISE 5: B2B Sales

What is your client afraid their boss will think if they say yes?
  • Why didn’t you find somebody cheaper?
  • Why didn’t you hire someone with a more established and bigger company?
What would your client tell their boss to explain why they bought from you?
  • She has first-hand experience with our industry and understands the challenges we face
  • She has worked with us before and knows our needs
  • She has experience making the type of video we are looking for and her past work is good
  • She has dedicated her career to doing social good – she cares / has a heart
  • She has worked with an award-winning documentary production company / filmmakers.
  • She graduated with a degree in film from Northwestern University
  • She will go the extra mile to deliver excellence and make sure we have nothing to worry about
  • We will be able to communicate to our audience the impact of the work we do far better through video storytelling than through print or verbal description, and hence encourage them to start / continue making donations to us.
  • By utilizing the power of video, we will be way ahead of majority of others in our field
What would you like them to tell their boss?
  • If we don’t hire her, we will be making a serious mistake
  • She is undoubtedly the top choice for our needs
  • Hiring her will be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make for our organization
  • There is no one else I would rather work with

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I’m doing this as part of Seth Godin’s Udemy course for freelancers. Feel free to embark on this discovery for yourself too.

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