On Thursday, I attended a volunteer celebration, hosted by an art organization. Now that I’m a freelance writer/editor, I use every social opportunity as a chance to network. I’d schmoozed with several people before getting a drink. I talked even more before working my way to the food table.
For one such encounter, a woman who organized an art meetup group and worked professionally in marketing, asked me, “What is your sweet spot?” Admittedly, her question threw me off since my mind-in-the-gutter brain first thought of something sexual. Even after coming to my senses, I could not articulate a brand for my passion to write, and to a lesser degree edit and paint.
I’ve been enjoying my career transformation out of a high school science classroom into this new one. My primary concerns have been working on everything that needs my attention on a daily basis until the project is completed, being paid for some projects in order to finance personal projects and living below my means so I can continue telecommuting as long as possible.
Branding has not made it to the top three priorities yet. The best I’ve done so far is my elevator pitch for The Austin Writers Roulette, a monthly theme-based spoken word and poetry show. I whip out a business card-sized flyer and point out the venue information on one side and the calendar of themes on the other side.
As a matter of fact, since the show is in its third season, I’ve been invited to a happy hour next week with other organizers of spoken word/poetry/narratives. One friend congratulated me for being invited to sit at the adult table. I love that the time and attention I’ve put into the show is paying off–well, not in terms of money, but definitely in happiness. Compared to the first season, where I was essentially paying people to show up, this season I’m walking away with some change in my pocket.
By the end of the night and our second happy hour location, I told my marketing friend that a common denominator in all of my personal writing projects, concerned strong-willed women. They have flaws, challenges, limitations, but they seek to use what they have to better themselves. I added that I wanted my writing to be the cure to all the misogynist depictions found in the media. Tall order, but I’ll never lack for things to write about.
The more I think about it, the more I feel that I’m on the correct branding path. One of the excuses hip-hop artists make for their misogynist lyrics is that’s what makes money. I’d like to demonstrate a different path to financial security. After all, why should we minority women, who often fare worse in the misogynist media messages, continue to waste our time and energy in an attempt to persuade men to portray us in a more realistic manner? Our time and energy are better served producing such media ourselves.
Gandhi’s advice is still as fresh and applicable: Be the change you want to see in the world. I will write it, speak it, paint it, teach it and dance it.