Over the course of the last two months, I’ve been reading and researching the endless vacuum of tools available to all of us through the internets… and I’ve got to say that my mind is rather blown.
From reading “Digital Leaders” by Erik Qualman (@Equalman), to Brian Clark (@CopyBlogger’s) wonderful blog on how copywriting is different, yet still as crucial as content writing… I’d say I’ve got my head spinning as it attempts to wrap around all of the possibilities that we have (literally) at our fingertips.
It actually gives me a bit of anxiety to sit and just ponder the amount of awesome that I want to create, but feel overwhelmed by all of the thoughts. I guess that’s the most important thing I’ve learned in all of this research lately; you have to tackle one thing at a time. Always. You can’t multitask a bunch of brilliant ideas or nothing will EVER get done. I feel like I’ve been the king of that for some time now.
The most crucial items that I now have under my belt are the following:
1) give digital love where it is needed. and deserved.
2) empower other people. especially with knowledge. knowledge is power.
3) consistant content creation is key. no matter what form the content is in (video / blogging / podcast)
4) give users the ability to interact. everyone loves to be, or at least “feel” involved in some way.
As such, I have many plans in place for the next month that will be launching slowly in different forms:
- My band, Livid Ends, will be launching an “album screening” preview for those who would like to opt in and get the chance to critique our ENTIRE ALBUM before we even release it publicly! opting in will give listeners the chance to state something about each song and in return, will receive a free copy of our Single… and maybe a bonus track. (more on this TBA)
- After launching our “Drama Kings & Vomit Queens” video, Livid Ends will also be doing a “cover contest” of one of our songs. The winner will get a free roundtrip ticket to come out and star in our next music video.
- Acosta Productions is developing a web series that puts the user in control of the story!!! There… i said it. Nothing more though. Nope. Not til it’s launched…
- Tutorial Tuesday, a web series I launched a few weeks ago, is empowering viewers with knowledge based off of user generated questions that i get every week in Final Cut Pro, Adobe After Effects, and Adobe Premiere.
-Since video production can be an absolutely daunting task, especially for beginners that are trying to tell a story, I’ve taken it upon myself to create an informational based tutorial package that will be released in the coming weeks. This video based series will be a priced informational product with over 2 hours of training in the basics of an entire production (from start to finish), as well as minor editing techniques in a wide range of different interfaces.
I love giving. Always have. And now more than ever have I learned that this entire thing that we call life isn’t about ME, it’s about the majority. It’s about all of us coming together and collaborating in a sufficient and beautiful manner. I have a skillset that people only dreamed that they knew how to tackle… and I’m now teaching it, living it pleasurably (instead of being jaded), creating with it, and entertaining others with the content that i create.
Empower others. That’s the ticket.
-Jon Acosta
@thejonacosta
P.S.
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Life out here in San Leandro, CA has been rather awesome…
VIDEO UPDATE RUNDOWN:
- Ronnie, the neighbor across the street is still looking out for our hood, #LIKEABOSS
- Drew and myself started pre-production on our upcoming micro-series, Band Practice, which will showcase the stigmas, cliche’s and hilarity that a band endures while trying to make music together
- WHAT THE FUCK IS “BROOMING”? Or rather, this “BROOM PHENOMENON”…. someone please tell me
- MyNights is still in post-production as our director, Barry Gray, finishes the editing aspects, which at this point, will be sent over to our base in San Leandro, where I’ll be taking care of shot tightening and Color Grading.
- My latest tutorial web series, entitled, “Tutorial Tuesdays”, launched last week and will have a new episode every week
Drew and I will be making a trip out to Atlanta this week to take care of a few productions on the East Coast. If you’re around, make sure to give us a shout out and maybe grab a beer while we’re in town!
And so, as the week begins to unravel its way back into itself, hinting closer at our moving date with every passing hour, myself and my co-pilot, Drew Gibadlo (of Downstairs Studios), have been on a manic dash to tie all loose ends here in Atlanta, Georgia before our big move to San Francisco, California next Monday!
After about 4 hours of extensive research through every viable option possible (including shipping my car to our new location and just grabbing a flight with our dogs), i do believe i’ve found the most economical and substantial way to move across the country with two people, my car, and our beautiful K9 companions, all for under $1000!
What have I learned? Well…
Hitches from UHAUL can be attached to most midsized cars… that would include my 2008 Nissan Sentra (note: if you own a 2006 or prior, your car is considered “compact” and you might need to consider other options)
um… TravelMath.com is flippin’ awesome.
esurance is now owned by ALLSTATE?!
Penske Truck Rentals hooks you up with a 20% discount if you’re a AAA member. Likewise, if you’re a student with an ID, they give you an additional 10% off….Round up a college kid and a friend with a AAA card if you need a truck!
And finally… Flo (from Progressive) isn’t the biggest fan of Erin (from esurance).
but i digress… 5 days!!!
I think i’m going to create a micro-series for the move as we roll along to the best coast next week… be on the lookout for that! And also, if you missed the launch of “Tutorial Tuesday” yesterday… check it out below!
