Monday, December 13, 2010

Analogue Festival - Mix Tape Amnesty

One of the first ideas I've been given for the Analogue Festival is a Mix Tape Amnesty.

Every one has a mix tape somewhere they've not listened too in years, so why not donate them to the festival and we'll get hold of old tape recorders and headphones and you can dip in and out of someones musical life. Tapes only - We're keeping it real! or should that be reel (Sorry)

If you have tapes you want to donate, or have any other ideas email richard.michie@gmail.com

Sunday, December 12, 2010

'appen it'll be analogue

I've been knocking around the idea of doing an analogue event for about a year. I love all things digital but I miss the craft and randomness of analogue. My initial thoughts were along the lines of a photographic exhibition mainly because I take loads of pictures with my Lomo and Polaroids and love the fact that I've never any idea what the shots will look like.

How about Social Media without a phone or a laptop, I believe that's called talking how quaint! I'm not against technology, I'd love to see telex machines, old film reels, vinyl records, acoustic music, painting, live performance whatever can be come without the aid of digital equipment.

I guess by now you've seen the slight flaw in my plan... Yes I'll have to promote it digitally and get people involved that way too. But honestly, once it's up and running it'll be all analogue.

As with most of my plans I have NO CASH! Still it never stopped me before. So needless to say at present this is a volunteering idea (aren't all the best?)

So what can you do?

Well I understand I'll need a little help. So that's where you come in. Here a list of the stuff I recon the event needs. Have a look if you can help get in touch and if there's stuff missing ditto. I'd love to make this some kind of festival, even if it's only a day. What say you?

Tick list
  • Venue(s) would somewhere with character
  • Exhibitors/Artists/Performers/Interested parties
  • Volunteers to help run/promote/organise/lend stuff

If you can help drop me an email richard.michie@gmail.com

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Professional Northerners

At the last Bettakultcha I covered a topic close to my heart. Professional northerners who they are and what makes them. Have a look and feel free to disagree.

Friday, May 21, 2010

The Genesis of Bettakultcha

At the last Bettakultcha I did another 5 minutes on the genesis of Bettakultcha (not involving Phil Collins thankfully!)

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Really inspiring Ted Talk - Start with WHY

I've just seen this great, really inspiring Ted Talk via Presentation Zen.
There's no way I can do it justice so the best idea is to watch the film. Think and then apply it to yourself and your business.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

When's the best time to send an email?

After sending email campaigns for a long time I've tried loads of times and days. There are a few implied rules that seem to make sense but tend not to have any scientific backing.

For example a common thought is that sending an email campaign on a Monday is a bad idea. The thought is that after a weekend in boxes are full and most of its contents if not deemed immediately important are deleted.

Saturday is thought to be a good day if you have a high-powered list. The thought is that they will be checking their emails over the weekend without resorting to their secretary.

I'm about to send an email campaign to my newsletter list at Global Lingo. And I'm planning on Tuesday at around 11am. Seems like a good time to me.

Yesterday I had a thought though as I was walking in the park checking my Blackberry. And it dawned on me that there now is no perfect time. Virtually no one waits until they return to the office to check their emails. Almost every one has a way to check at any time of day or night.

So today I still plan to send my email at 11am, but next time I'll test the time of day and see what the results are. So to finish this off there is no perfect time for all emails just the perfect time for yours. And the only way you'll ever know is to test and test and test.

Good Luck

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

My Bettakultcha 5 minutes

As I was one of the founders of Bettakultcha I thought it only right that I put myself forward to present. So for better or worse here's my presentation.

Let me know what you think warts and all!

To book a place for Bettakultcha 2 click this link

Monday, March 01, 2010

Getting ready for Bettakultcha and more grey hairs!

Just before Christmas I met Ivor Tychak at a party at Temple Works in Leeds.

I got talking to Ivor about an idea I'd always wanted to do which was along the lines of Pecha Kucha short presentations 20 slides for 20 seconds each. Ivor had wanted to do the same but, at the time, there didn't seem anywhere doing this, at least in Leeds.

So I decided to do something I've not done before and just get on with it and organise something. As Ivor had been a catalyst for me I asked if he would like to do it with me (Ivor if you're reading this, forgive me if that's not quite right).

We arranged a meeting at Temple Works and they gave us their blessing to get on with it. That's where the scary bit came in. I'd not not only had an idea (with help) but I'd stuck my neck out and started something. People now knew something was happening we had a 60 person limit which we wanted to fill and speakers to find to. Oh and equipment, oh and insurance!

There was another issue, mainly that Pecha Kucha was already in Leeds and they don't allow more than one per city. So we came up with Bettakultcha. Hopefully catchy (and a little like Pecha Kucha, but not quite).

Next stop was the Bettakultcha Blog, Bettakultcha Twitter feed and a way of controlling tickets we used Event Bright.

Well just over one month later, Bettakultcha is tomorrow night at Temple Works. We've sold all 60 tickets and now have 10 presenters (after both numbers going up and down quite a few times). I also now have more grey hair than when I started.

But what I'm most pleased about is I've started something and as of about 9.00pm tomorrow will have finished it.

I guess what I getting at is that whatever you want to do, the only thing stopping you, is you.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Why we all use Google for everything

I can't sleep, so I thought I'd blog. In my tired but wide awake state, I suddenly realised why I use Google for pretty much everything, other than my Twittering. Yes it is because it has the best search results, but how much search do I do any more? Yes it's easy to use as well but that's not the reason either.

I use it because it's easy to get to. Simple as that.

Google is set as my home page on IE8. I have Google Toolbar so that means there are already three buttons directly on my browser so I can instantly get to all my Google applications. These simple facts have meant that as every new tool arrives from them I have instant access.

Not rocket science I grant you, but a nice marketing lesson. Make it easy to use if you want it to spread. If you want to reach a niche audience however, maybe making it difficult is the best way?

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Buying locally is great for you

Not that I work from home I'm very lucky that I can go shopping locally at lunch time. Where I live in Roundhay in Leeds I'm very lucky. We have a great butchers R P Sethcfield which if you read the reviews is said to be one of the best in Leeds if not the whole of Yorkshire. The queue outside at Christmas is testament to the quality of the meat and the service they give.

I'm also lucky to have a great little grocers who sells lovely fresh local fruit and veg. They even have speciality stuff like wild mushrooms and fresh beetroot, sorry can't remember the name, but they're on Street Lane in Roundhay.

The great think is that all the food is top class as well as being great value for money and you get the feeling that you're giving something back to the local community at the same time.

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Being snowed in

Being snowed in, which I'm technically not (but that car's not going anywhere til the snow's gone) makes you think a lot. I ventured out earlier for a walk in the snow to see just how deep it was.

I've not seen snow like this since I was a kid. Makes me think back to times I don't remember to clearly and wonder what happened to me to make me the way I am. None of my family are remotely interested in business and have no idea what I do.

I used to try and explain what I do as a marketer but because my mum thinks it's sales and I call people all day I give up and tell them I work in advertising, which I don't.

So just what did make me the way I am? Not really got any answers don't think I ever will, but if your family and upbringing shape your life then something must have kicked in and looking back now I'm grateful for whatever it was.

Monday, January 04, 2010

Time to give something back in 2010

I've been thinking that this year I should give something back. I've been working for just over 20 years now, and ever since that first day on my YTS scheme at a publishers in Sheffield (25 quid a week, slavery thanks Mrs Thatcher (little bit of politics)) I've been learning things.

Well now I've come to the conclusion that I should give something back. So I've decided that I'd like to mentor someone in their marketing career, that's if they'll have me. I've a long background in most aspects from Direct Marketing through to online and social media. I won't go into it all here, you can take a look at my Linkedin Profile for all the details.

I'd like to help just one person, I only have so much time. Ideally you'd be in Leeds as well. I don't want any pay for this, just the thought that I'm helping in a small way.

If you'd like me to help you out then please add a comment to this post on why you are the person I should help. You need to be willing to learn and willing to teach me too. I want to work with someone who's eager and ultimately a bit special.

If that's you let me know.