Lessons for a creative agency about comedy
On experiments, failure, and writing.
A while back, I talked to Overit, a creative agency, about how comedy can help with branding. Talk + summary below…
Overit’s Katie Sorce wrote up this summary of the talk. Some highlights below…
How to Put Your Ideas Into Writing
Writing things down is the basis of all ideas. Carry a journal with you wherever you go, who knows when inspiration may strike!?…“I’m able to capture in the moment and in flow, and then if it sticks around or seems worthwhile, eventually turns it into something.”
Promoting Your New Ideas
As an early employee of Basecamp, Matt Ruby had to help market the new brainchild and offered “the way we would promote ourselves was by teaching other people how to do what we had done.”
Open Yourself to New Ideas and Experiments
Doing something different to stand out from the noise and resonate with a particular audience.
Don’t Be Afraid to Fail
Don’t be afraid to fail, as it’s a great learning experience that clues you into what works with your audience and what doesn’t.
Your Community Matters
Think outside the box when engaging your audience. Human beings don’t scale online the way Facebook wants you to believe. Get out and see your fellow humans in 3-D for authentic experience and connection. Nothing replaces that kind of share.
Disruptive and Risky Content Can Speak for Itself
If you can check the boxes of content that is surprising, truthful, and provocative, that is the magic sauce.
Do Experiments and Gather Information
When you try something new, compare it against previous concepts. Constantly experiment and analyze the data.
YouTube
Subscribe to YouTube/MattRuby for funny vids. Some recent clips below…
I founded and ran a creative agency for 10-ish years, you’re spot on - especially the improv rules of listening HARD and being EAGER to fail