Guess who’s a Pozible Ambassador- yep, me!
Pozible Ambassador Network It is with great pride that I announce I am part of the Pozible Ambassador Network. Those crazy crowdfunding cats, Alan and Rick, have asked me to help out future crowdfunders. While I haven’t done my own crowdfunding project (yet), you may recall I helped the transition from Fundbreak to Pozible back in 2009, and gave them their early start in social media and blogging. Since then, I have helped the guys on the odd occasion,... Read More
The Rise of Co-working Spaces: A Sharehouse of Ideas
Larissa Meikle from the Loop pops buy to share some news and views on co-working! Take it away Larissa! Read More Like my style? Enjoy the content? Contact me if you need custom content created or marketing help! Read More
Interns and Startups in Australia
It’s super popular to grab an intern for some extra work with your social media, blogging and whatever else you have going. However there is a lot of misconception about what you can and can’t do with an intern in the startup arena. Having investigated this for a couple of my clients, this is what I found out after speaking with Fair Work Australia. Unless you are a registered arts body or not-for-profit, you need to either pay your intern... Read More
Pozible Crowdfunding for Startup
Last night I crashed an intimate evening of people discussing how to use crowdfunding for startup with Pozible Co-founder Alan Crabbe. Why crowdfunding and startup? Crowdfunding is a great way to measure early adoption of your product and/or to financially support your goals in a way that can also be used to demonstrate popularity with Angels, funding bodies and more. But how do you use it to its best advantage? The platform is a tool: The... Read More
Screw Blogging Rules
There is something slightly obnoxious about blogging rules. They get this little creative Sydney copywriter in a tizzy. Usually because some poor client I’ve inherited has been frightened off blogging because of some nincompoop and their mystical set of rules. Balderdash! The reality is SEO, guest blogging, frequency of posting, post timing and so on are all trumped by one thing- the quality. Join me in screwing blogging rules and be prepared the... Read More
Be your own strategic freelance marketer
It’s easy for me to stand up on the roof and shout “look at me, I’m a creative Sydney copywriter and strategic freelance marketer!” but what would be the point if I didn’t take my own medicine and try to write a lot and market myself? When you become a freelancer your clients don’t just turn up at your door asking to hire you. Even the super popular ones are rocking it through making themselves known to people on a regular basis. You... Read More
Discordia is Live!
I truly love marketing. Being a creative copywriter and freelance strategic marketer is something I love doing. I live helping people. Putting truth and creativity back into marketing isn’t just a tagline for me, it’s the reality. And I really enjoy working with my clients. Yet sometimes I have felt recently that I’ve been letting the writer in me down a little. Writing to me is a deeply personal thing. I don’t expect everyone to agree with... Read More
The A to Z of Aussie Freelance Resources
If you freelance and you are in Australia, here are a few things that’ll probably make your life easier. If you have any to suggest, by all means send them through! Couple of notes: I have tried to be accurate with URL and description, however if I have got something wrong somewhere, do let me know this too! Any mistakes are not intentional. This list has been done voluntarily. I’ve tried to keep it relevant and helpful to Australia but not include... Read More
Call Out: Discordia Zine
Discordia Zine is on the hunt for women bloggers, writers, artists and illustrators who can be a part of new online content portal. We’re tired of feeling like outsiders in the female web world and women’s media. We feel that labels like ‘crafty mummy’, ‘lipstick lesbian’ or ‘suited up business woman’ just don’t apply. For us, the slew of women’s magazines and ‘believe in yourself’ online communities are irrelevant. And the... Read More
Woody Allen on Doing it Your Way
The next half of the Woody Allen documentary I saw in a hotel room in Orange. It was just the shot in the arm needed to remind me that doing things the way feel right for you is better than subservience to the ideals of others. Here is what I gained on Woody Allen and doing it the way that feels right for you: First of all, he bypasses the agents and goes straight to the actors. He personalises the reasons he wants to work with particular actors... Read More
CASE STUDY: POZIBLE “LET’S TALK CROWDFUNDING SYDNEY” EVENT
Background: Australia’s leading crowdfunding platform, Pozible, required assistance with their first major Sydney event entitled “Let’s Talk Crowdfunding!” The first event in Melbourne, whilst still positive, had less than 50% turnout. Pozible engaged Unashamedly Creative to assist with the event’s management and communications for the event in Sydney to test whether the series was a viable national road show. Objective: • Lift conversion... Read More
Revised: Further Ways to Market Arts
Fortune does favour the brave! Here are some things to try. Sending press release out with photo to whatever works- there are places such as FasterLouder, Music Feeds, Side Street Sydney and also sites such as StreetCorner, Throw Shapes, TwoThousand a myriad of other places. Anyone you are paying to advertise with, totally send that content. Drum, Fbi etc will publish it, especially if you are paying. With FBi and 2SER, offer a free double pass to... Read More
Revised for 2012: Music Marketing 101
These are the tips and tricks you should really employ to get your band coverage… start here and the foundation will grow! Record a demo, even if it’s in your garage or bathroom or your Nanna’s house. We are not talking sending this puppy to record companies- we are talking having something to put on your MySpace Reverbnation or Band Camp. You are selling an auditory product and no matter how schmick your photos may be or your bio, funny, ultimately... Read More
2 Million Reasons to Smile
A mere five months on from achieving $1million in pledges, Pozible has hit 2012 running by reaching the $2million pledge mark in March. And the goal kicking for the original home-grown crowdfunding platform for Australian creative and socially innovative projects looks set to continue. Fast becoming one of the most popular and effective funding options available Pozible has seen tremendous growth in exposure and audience participation since... Read More
Sydney, now it’s your turn…. Let’s Talk Crowdfunding!
After a successful Melbourne event in late 2011, Pozible now brings “Let’s Talk Crowdfunding!” to Sydney. This free event is for anyone who wants to learn more on crowdfunding for creative projects or simply for people interested in self funding through platforms like Pozible. Join us for a helpful, informative and passionate discussion on crowdfunding your dreams and ideas with like minded individuals. The evening is aimed at giving anyone... Read More
Your Project on the Operating Table
Make no bones about it, it really sucks when an idea or project doesn’t work out the way you want it to. But how do you tell the difference between natural causes and misadventure? And what should you do to avoid another untimely demise of a beloved project? Consider this your autopsy and next steps guide to the projects that go belly up! Nurse, I need 10cc’s of Ego, stat! First and foremost, when a project fails to achieve a benchmark, please... Read More
Why a freelancer community?
Some people have been asking me lately what the whole freelance survey is about (for your reference, here is the original post http://unashamedlycreative.com.au/2011/10/calling-all-freelancers/) or where it might lead. Here it is in nuts and bolts… Hello- is anybody out there? I started doing a full time freelance gig in 2009 whilst still employed because I wanted to see if it worked. I had some mates who had varying degrees of success across... Read More
Simple Tips to Help Your Writing
Writing driving you up the spout? Finding you get needlessly tangled? Years of doing this for people in all kinds of industries have taught me a few simple things anyone can look at to improve your writing. Everyone has a buzz word Each of us has a word we love over using in our writing. For many Australians, it is “that” or “then” – but it can vary from person to person. You can make your writing tighter by looking for a common word... Read More
Calling all freelancers!
Are you tired of auction sites trying to get you to work for $2 a 500 word article or deploy a whole website for $200? Have you had to mop up after countless el cheapie projects for your clients after things have gone drastically south? Do you sometimes wonder why employment agencies or digital/ad agencies pay you 30% of what they bill you out for? Are you working at places that don’t allow you to stretch yourself as much as you would like? Do you... Read More
Pozible hits the Million Dollar Mark
Australia’s first crowd funding platform, Pozible, has hit an amazing $1million in pledges. Since humble beginnings in May 2010, Pozible has become a viable option for creative and innovative projects around the country as a source of funding through peers pledging their support through crowd funding. Reaching the million dollar mark is yet another milestone for a platform dedicated to helping more ideas become reality in the Australian creative... Read More
What is WOM [Word-of-Mouth] worth?
Crowdfunding is a pretty amazing thing. Watching one dollar add to another dollar and another until a target is reached just shows how much every little bit counts. But what most people may not realise is that even when you don’t have any money to spare, you can still manage to support a project and create a positive outcome. And there is a group of these people already that have made a huge in-direct impact to projects. Pozible has always been... Read More
Green film making? By accident, maybe
Making a film is hard work; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. But with the Crackheads, the way the story is designed, there is a little bit of “wriggle” room re: getting things absolutely perfect. In essence, I have actually designed around having no to low budget. Admittedly, it is hip to be a recycling, reusing greenie scrounging up materials to a certain extent I am using this to my advantage. But it is also about meeting budget, making... Read More
The Dinosaur’s Guide to Dance: Sydney style
Shaking your tail feather in Sydney can be a little bit of a problem, especially at live gigs. It appears it just isn’t cool to shimmy around and let your inner funkasaurus out. This is even worse when you are well past the hipster expiration date. However if you are in your 30’s or beyond and want to dance about, you do have some places you can go. So never fear, here is the Dinosaur’s Guide to Dance! Tone Yes, she is leaving us at her current... Read More
Crank it up, Aus start up style!
People who occasionally travel past my website may have seen a distinct change in content in the last couple of weeks. This is because like any good business, I am growing to meet the needs of my client base. I realized there is a new wave of business coming to Australia- and that wave is a drastically different one to what we have known before. It is the world of the ethical digital start up. Nope, I haven’t swallowed a bunch of buzz words, I am... Read More
Artist in Profile: Shy Magsalin
Shy Magsalin is a passionate theatre maker who has studied and worked with some of the best companies in the world. Is Australian theatre culture strong enough to keep a talent such as hers from leaving our shores permanently? Shy Magsalin- To keep you really hungry keeps you inspired to keep learning Madam Fling Flong’s is a favourite little haunt of mine. Over the top of Sonis on King Street in Newtown, it’s tucked away enough not to... Read More
Why crowd funding?
Any creative or socially innovative person will tell you that there is often a tremendous support for their idea from friends, family and like minded people within their networks. That same person may talk of the struggle they have faced to raise the funds needed to make their dreams a reality and how hard it is to market and continually run fundraising initiatives to fund their projects. Through crowd funding, we aim to bring those passionate people... Read More
Artist Profile: Rich Berndt
Over ten years ago, Richard Berndt left the country to pursue his dreams of becoming a rock star in the big city. The goal posts may have shifted, but the journey is no less fulfilling. Read More Like my style? Enjoy the content? Contact me if you need custom content created or marketing help! Read More
Artist in Profile: Ryan Linnegar
The beauty and darkness of Ryan Linnegar is explored time and again through his photography and lyrics. But who is this poet, musician and artist really? The Courthouse Newtown is not your usual choice for conducting interviews if a journalist and I soon start to understand why. Here I am sitting in front of a rather nervous Ryan Linnegar with the cursory jug of Coopers Pale at the ready whilst I sit there trying to test levels on my Sansa music... Read More
The Thylacines- Taking a Bite Out of the Sydney Music Scene
Imagine if you knocked on a door and there before you was a sweet little old lady with a quietly elfin smile above a lace collar and cable knit cardigan. Imagine she asked what you wanted in a smoked encrusted Scottish brogue but didn’t wait for the answer. Instead, as your lips part she is grabbing at your collar, pulling your face to her knee and just at the moment you think you will wet your best undies in fear of the blood nose you surely know... Read More
Sydney Music Scene Study
In response to the purchase of the Excelsior by Merivale and the perceived decline of viable music venues in Sydney, myself (Rebekah Lambert) and veteran indie rocker about town Rich Berndt devised and conducted a survey about the state of live music in Sydney. The responses were collected via Survey Monkey through publicity on online channels- notably this website and interested social media groups- February 2011 until July 2011. We collected 137... Read More
Puppet on a Shoestring: The Story of Birthing a Puppet Film
From moving to script to actually getting things done is a pretty hard process. It is rewarding though. Time consuming, at times very overwhelming, and punishing because you finish on task and several more sprout up like snakeheads on Cerberus. I am learning as I go along. Music and Sound Anyone who has ever done anything remotely linked to sound will tell you if you screw up the volume or the mix, it just won’t work in your favour. Thankfully,... Read More
Musicians are doing it for themselves
Sydney has certainly moved to a brighter future in the music scene since the 2000’s when poker machines ruled, entertainment licences cost venues a kidney and bookers chose bums on seats over quality, but the scars still linger. Audiences are still not brave enough to trust venues to walk in and take pot luck, some bookers persist in fragmenting bills and not knowing the style of music that gets played and venues and bands collectively barely break... Read More
Australian TV: When will you grow up?
Offspring is getting rave reviews, Twitter is alight with Hayden’s eviction from Masterchef and I almost choked on a mouthful of Friday night beer when I saw the ads for the new reality show “Dinner Date” which looks like it should be named “The Bogan BBQ Master Wants a Wife (and a spot on a talent show)”. I just wonder when we will see some really brave, challenging TV come out of Australia. And why, when someone is able to introduce... Read More
Kinds Of Blue Interview
Successful Project Kinds of BluePozible was recently honoured with supporting a unique artistic and writing project, Kinds of Blue, which deals with what it is like for people living with depression. This amazing book is a must read for anyone who wishes to understand, who loves someone with depression, or struggles with depression themselves. We would like to thank Karen (the creator) for taking time out of her schedule to talk to Pozible about... Read More
We’re making things Pozible!
You may have noticed some changes in the wonderful world of crowd funding recently, the most notable being FundBreak’s name change to Pozible. Rest assured loyal fans, followers and friends, your favourite crowd funding platform is still at heart the one you know and love. It’s just that we have decided to up the ante a little at our HQ and made a decision to make things Pozible! Confused? Let’s take some time out to demystify our new identity. We... Read More
Band Photos: How not to bore people to death
Having recently flicked through the TripleJ Unearthed site in search of some new indie bands to follow, I have realised that musicians probably operate a secret society, complete with five point starter kits for their bio photos. Why do I say this? Well, why else would almost every photo feature the same five key points? The dreaded five key points Choose exotic location such as graffiti wall, brick wall, wooden wall or something which features wall... Read More
Path to new Australian TV: Closed Until Further Notice
Australia, to me at least, has a fairly non-existent television market. Even with the introduction of brand new digital channels, we live on a staple diet of imported television and the grisly fat of TV executives and producers who have grown plump and lazy on a diet of reality TV, serial cop and hospital shows. In terms of longevity in the international market, our most successful export is Neighbours. We lay claim to the ratings success of the Masterchef... Read More
How to…get experience when you don’t have credentials
Not everyone fits into the university world. For whatever reason, there are some of us out there that really cannot gel with the whole idea of education at the higher level, yet have boundless enthusiasm, talent and continuous self learning to offer the right creative place. But often, without a degree you won’t be given the opportunity to even sit for an interview, let alone gain much needed tangible experience. So what do you do if this applies... Read More
How to… Inspire Contributors in Crowdfunding
How to…inspire contributors on Pozible So you have your wonderful idea bubbling away in the back of your mind, and now you need the funds for it to reach the next stage of its development. You stumble across Pozible and know this is the right place to gain your funding. So, how do you make the most of your time on Pozible? By inspiring contributors! Here are a couple of tips and tricks on how to help make that inspiration flow! FIRST and FOREMOST:... Read More
Street Dreams: A documentary of hope
This is not a usual working day, even for Pozible. I am staring into the abyss of a computer screen, with Skype pouring out the story of Mike and Jason, two Adelaide based film makers, and their latest project, Street Dreams. Mike has been kind enough to offer Pozible an interview before he and Jason leave for Asia, where their journey of truly capturing the stories of young Asian sex workers begins. Is there a little bit of admiration and awe... Read More
Wondering how to be local, ethical and support fair trade? Hire freelancers!
People are becoming increasingly aware it seems on the impact on their environment. People are attending dinners based around the premise of 100 mile dinners aimed at reducing petrol usage and highlighting local goods. Sourcing uncaged chicken eggs and free range produce is increasing in popularity and people are thinking ethically about their purchases from overseas. In Sydney, where the cost of living keeps jetting through the roof and onto the... Read More
Will Sydney lose another venue?
It all began with a fairly innocuous occurrence- the SMH writing a paragraph on Justin Hemmes’ recent purchase of the Excelsior Hotel and his big plans for the venue, and others in Surry Hills like it. Soon Facebook started popping up links to the article everywhere as musicians and punters alike started to feel the first cold dreadful feelings about what this could mean for a scene that can still feel the loss of its beloved Hopetoun. Would Surry... Read More
We’re making things Pozible!
You may have noticed some changes in the wonderful world of crowd funding recently, the most notable being FundBreak’s name change to Pozible. Rest assured loyal fans, followers and friends, your favourite crowd funding platform is still at heart the one you know and love. It’s just that we have decided to up the ante a little at our HQ and made a decision to make things Pozible! Confused? Let’s take some time out to demystify our new identity. We... Read More
Anything is Pozible
We all have burning desires, those ideas and projects that intrude on our day with annoying regularity or keep us awake as we mentally run through what we would like to do. We all have those unique concepts, the longing to share a little piece of our mind with the rest of the world, our little mark we would like to make on society. But the main impediment to success is often a lack of cash. However a new online initiative is about changing the Australian... Read More
Why are retailers crying foul of online sales?
With the recent outbreak of apparent foot and mouth disease from Harvey Norman’s Gerry Harvey, online shopping has hit the headlines and controversy regarding whether it is OK or not to allow online retailers sell their products without tax. But as online shopping grows as a local and international choice, what other reasons could retailers have for being so upset about the envisaged unfair take over? Beyond offering lower overheads to businesses... Read More
The rise and rise of Swap Creative
Now that the holidays are out of the way, the Unashamedly Creative office has come back with a lot of bang and buzz for 2011- with the majority of interest being generated from Swap Creative. Swap Creative came about through wanting to satiate the desire to assist small businesses, most of whom usually lack budget to do major marketing activity, as well as regain some of the “niceties” lost after moving away from a steady salary towards working... Read More
The Swap Creative Application Form
Unashamedly Creative is proud to present a new way of looking at your marketing budget with Swap Creative. In order to keep myself and my Labrador in the style we were previously accustomed to, and also help fellow small businesses get that all important word out, I will be taking applications for businesses who are interested in being my exclusive Swap Creative clients. I am looking to hear from any business that may think we could have an ongoing... Read More
Introducing SWAP CREATIVE!
Unashamedly Creative is proud to present a new way of looking at your marketing budget with Swap Creative. Being only in the early stages of operation, Unashamedly Creative has been a small business for twelve months, often working with other small businesses as clients or suppliers to get projects done. Anyone who has ever been in business for themselves or part of a smaller operation will understand sometime the cash flow isn’t available as readily... Read More
Building the Darlinghurst Theatre
It is with great pride Unashamedly Creative begins a new relationship with an old Sydney favourite, the Darlinghurst Theatre Company! The home of sustainable, independent theatre for over a decade, The Darlinghurst Theatre Company are about to embark on their biggest journey as they transition from their current home to a beautiful new home in the Tabernacle Building and with it, onwards and upwards in the Australian arts scene. The same hungry love... Read More
Unashamedly Creative is Born
It’s hard to take a moment and breathe, reflect and count the rain drops as they race down the office window pane. Six months ago I launched my own business, four months ago I quit my secure but mind numbing day job and went out on a wire in search of my own clients. At times it’s been hairy, blushingly embarrassing and so surreal. But I have finally made it. Is this what it feels like to be all grown up? I have worked in marketing for fifteen... Read More
