How You and Your Best Friends Can Make $100,000 (for someone else)
[by Colleen Wainwright]
For an introvert who’s generally happiest holed up in a cave, flailing away at a keyboard, I’ve racked up a surprising number of creative collaborations–everything from a TV pilot for a major network to a comic play (with music!) about two of the world’s least sexy chronic illnesses.
Most recently, I completed a massive fundraiser that required collaboration on several fronts, including (among other things) building a website, creating prizes for giveaways, producing a video, and coordinating a massive benefit party for 150 people complete with musical entertainment, art raffle, tacos, and a head-shaving.
From what I can figure out so far, here’s what made the collaborations successful:
1. People got to do what they loved. I know I’m happiest contributing to any project when that project is utilizing my strongest skills or addressing my most pressing needs. So when I invited collaborators, I made matching project tasks to contributor interests a priority: the charismatic friend who loves wrangling crowds emceed the closing party; photographer friends documented the evening and shot the photobooth portraits, etc.
2. The boundaries were exceptionally clearly drawn. I was as clear as I could be up front about exactly what I needed, and exactly where the commitment would begin and end. And when I needed something extra, I made it clear I knew this was an additional favor, not an expectation.
3. Communication flowed freely in both directions. Most of my previous lousy collaborations had in common lousy communication: we either didn’t speak the same language, or one of us was scared to speak, period. For this all-volunteer, no-money-and-less-time effort, I was merciless about including only people I was sure I could keep the lines of communication open with.
Of course, the final words on making a collaboration work well? Always be grateful. “Thank you” goes a long way toward achieving that!
Colleen Wainwright loves working with fun people, especially the fun people at ASMP who are helping her bring her Making People Love You Madly seminar on non-sucky marketing to so many wonderful ASMP chapters.
2 Responses to 'How You and Your Best Friends Can Make $100,000 (for someone else)'
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Well written. I like you final comment: Always be grateful. “Thank you” goes a long way. How true. This is how to build team.
Well, what else can I say to that but “Thank you, Marko!”?
Seriously, I feel like “thank you” is the easiest thing to do, but often the hardest thing to remember. Working on it!