What is Your Signature Story?

What is Your Signature Story?

The one story you have to tell.

Only one?

Yes. Just one.

The reason that I invited you here, is that I want to change your thinking...

and can I be bold enough to say, change your feelings, your actions, and ultimately your results.

I have so much that I want to share with you...but we are going to start with just five new concepts.

Yes, the changes that technology and consumer trends have brought are giving content creators more power than ever before to shine. With a little effort are no more boundaries to gaining access. That said, as a writer, expert or content you are require to be far more prepared and are held to a much higher standard.

Working as an entertainment professional across film, television, new media, and publishing I have a unique perspective and experience that I can bring to our dialogue. I am excited to engage with you to help you create the creative, personal and financial success you desire as a writer, expert or content creator.

But in this format I am going to dole it out in small bit-sizeable chunks.

This is the beginning of a very important conversation that I hope will transform your relationship with yourself, you stories, your audience, and with the entertainment and media industries at large.

The fact is that you have to do a lot more of the heavy lifting before you can take advantage of the many opportunities in this area.

Here are seven basic concepts I want to explore deeper with you in the coming Your Signature Story newsletters.

First. Think in terms of you and your story as a Message. Great stories have a certain authenticity about them. Your Message should be the perfect expression of "Who are You?" "What is Your Mission?" and "Who is Your Audience?". That's your signature story. It's where you find your emotional core that grabs and holds your audience. (I have a great examples including John Grisham, Matt Groening, and JK Rowling to discuss).

Second. We're going to talk about the economics of content. All content is either purchased directly by the audience (book, DVD, theater ticket) or underwritten by the advertiser looking to get to your audience (television, radio, internet). We'll want to keep this in mind as you develop your brand, content, and platform.

Third. How many mediums can that message cross...book, feature film, television series, magazine article, lecture, website, ebook, newsletter, blogspot, teleseminar, foreign book rights, interviews, talk show guest spots, comic book, graphic novel, radio program, CD, short film, webisode, mobisode, merchandising and licensing. And each of these has its on process and requirements which we'll go through in depth.

Fourth. Break those Messages into four general categories so rather than thinking in terms of film, book, tv, and media -- think in terms of 1) Real World Fiction 2) Fantasy or Animated Fiction 3) Narrative Non-Fiction 4) General or Perscriptive Non-Fiction. Then work to build out a story and a platform based on the respective rules, relationships, and natural process of those respective worlds. This alone will streamline your efforts.

Fifth. There are many cottage industries across the entire spectrum of entertainment and media that don't necessarily have a working knowledge of each other. They also aren't typically designed to nurture emerging talent or be on board for the long haul. It's your job as a writer and content creator to learn how to navigate the system; create your content to a professional standard; develop your platform so that you can find and rally your audience; team build in all areas over time; and be strategic and savvy in the dealmaking process. This is all very doable, but you need to prepared and actively in process.

Sixth. Build your creative and professional community. Know that working in entertainment and media is to be working within a community and that within each cottage industry most professionals know each other. They also have a certain language and etiquitte that you'll want to learn. This includes the basic principles of investing in your yourself and your career; understand that things take time; accept that there is a certain amount of trial and error; seek professional counsel and also find independent opinions; and lastly, there is no doubt that you'll get back what you put in. There is a lot that I can share with you about embracing and thriving in the entertainment and media culture.

Seventh. Learn about what it takes to build an ongoing relationship with your audience. What does it mean to create and maintain a viable brand in today's competitive marketplace. How does PR, marketing, advertising, viral, online marketing, virtual communities, public appearances, reviews, awards, word-of-mouth and ongoing consumer outreach and audience appreciation further your brand identify and materials and the emotional connection your audience has with them.

So we begin...

I trust as writers, experts, and content creators you knew there was a lot of ground to cover. I also know you all bring tons of your own experience and knowledge to the table by what you've already done. That's what's really special is that Your Signature Story is building a community of writers, experts and content creators. Not only is this an opportunity to learn, it also an opportunity to share your passion, and find ways to express your signature story across all sorts of media platforms.

To Your Success,
Philippa