I know a lot of people doing amazing things and they are still relatively unknown. They are known in certain circles but not far beyond that.
For example, I know a lot of people who aspire to be speakers. If I didn’t know them personally, I really wouldn’t know what they did. And writers are really unknown. Unless we have books that are super-promoted; write for large, well-known pubs; or have carved a space on social media, no one really knows who we are.
So, I decided to do what has been on my heart for months: start spotlighting folks.
Good Idea
At first I considered interviews because I LOVE interviewing people, but that will require more time than I’m willing to put forth at this time. Then one day I was reading Entrepreneur magazine and they had an article, “10 Powerful Women to Watch in 2014.” Ding! Ding! Ding! That gave me the idea for my story “Powerful Women on the South Side” for my community site, Shorty: Your Chicago South Side Resource. Perfect!!
I e-mailed at least 20 women that I know personally who are doing awesome works. I asked them to submit a bio of up to 2 paragraphs and a photo for my story.
I got excited! First, I finally got off the bulls**t and started moving forward with something I wanted to do. Second, I would have the chance to use my platform for even more good.
My Good Idea Became Work
The e-mails went out on Saturday; submissions started rolling in on Sunday. I was about to get geeked when I thought, “Let me check these messages. I bet people sent full bios, not the two paragraphs I requested.” Sure enough, I received three bios and had to send them all back!
First of all, I realize that it’s very difficult to condense your greatness into two paragraphs, but I don’t need your life story for this particular article.
Second, although I could edit their profiles for my article, why would they even want me to when I’m giving them the option to share their own story? Only they can tell other people what they want them to know about them. One person responded with,”Well, that’s the best that I can do.” I don’t know if she was being a smart ass or not, but I’m about to be one in the next paragraph.
Third, honestly, while I care about my project, I don’t care if these people submit their information because for each person that does not, I know many more people who are doing great things that I can spotlight. I reached out to them first because I KNOW them; I admire what they do; I’m proud of their accomplishments.
Lastly, I do wonder if I they would be more compliant if I were a big-name publication like Forbes or Crain’s Chicago or if it’s the personal relationship.
What’s Next?
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not opposed to work. If you look at my history, I work hard and I work a lot. But my people are taking it to a whole ‘nother level. So, this is what’s happening next.
First, I’m just going to take my submissions in stride.
Second, I’m going to pray hard before I start planning my story “Powerful Men on the South Side” because I know that they are going to require a lot more work and even more patience.
Third, I’m going to make my story “Powerful Women on the South Side” the beginning of more great articles to come.
Lastly, I’m looking forward to seeing more of my ideas come to life while taking other people to new levels.
Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/robbarrett/