Blue Lollipop Road

how to #1

Part of what I am working on here with Blue Lollipop Road is sharing information on “how to.” What good are all the tips and tricks I have picked up along the way if I don’t share them so others might benefit?

How to get and Intern:

*Put and add on Craigslist
*Pick your city
*Click post to classified
*Click job offered
*Choose a category. (I chose web/HTML/info. design jobs for my post.)
*Write your post for what you need. (Write in your own language- how it would sound in your voice if it were audio), be up front and honest about expectations and whether you have money to pay or not
*Answer any responses to your ad immediately
*Meet with candidate as soon as you can
*Start working ASAP

Yes, it does seem crazy that people out there would work for free. Then again I have worked for free about a gazillion times. People want to work in things that interest them and they want to build their resumes, no matter what age. Sarah, my stupendous Intern just so happened to be a fresh college grad with a ton of talent and not enough places to be able to put it. Here is the email that she wrote back to me from my Craigslist ad back in June:

—–

From: Sarah
Date: June 24, 2010 1:29:05 PM EDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: The Alaska Project

** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html

Dear Diane,

I have been scouring the Craigslist art job page since I graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University Photography & Film department about a month ago. Alas, I have not had much luck! On the other hand, I did see your post concerning a revamping of your blog/website and your impending trip to Alaska. This immediately peaked my interest!

I was born in Alaska, but didn’t spend more than three years there. My dad’s government job was transferred to DC, which ultimately lead to my education at the amazing art school- VCU. I vow to one day return to not only photograph the amazing countryside, but perhaps take up residence- even if it is only for a few months.

I would absolutely love to help you rework your website/blog! It’s something that I am constantly learning more about as I begin to market my own work within the art world. I took a web design class at VCU one semester where we learned basic html code. It’s time consuming and challenging, but that’s what makes it fun. It definitely aided me in the creation of my current website. sarahannphoto.blogspot.com It’s hard to make a creative but still FREE website when you don’t have a job, so you have to work with what you got. =)

I would love to participate in your trip and live vicariously through your road trip to AK! Please let me know if you could use my assistance!

Thanks,

Sarah

—–

My situation went like this:

*People started suggesting I get an intern
*I smartened up after about the 15th person made that suggestion
*Put an ad on Craigslist giving the straight up of who I was and what I needed at some absurd hour like 1am on 6/24
*Sarah responded less than 30 minutes later
*I get her email by lunchtime on that same day
*I called her, asked when she might be free for coffee to talk about the project
*20 minutes later I walk into the coffee shop and she is already waiting there, smiling and ready to work

What?

I know. Seems a bit too perfect right? Don’t you have to have a big company, offices, or something to get an Intern? I hate to be all field of dreams here (I think I have used that line before,) But if you build it, they will come. People want to help you. You have to give a flip about what you are doing. If you don’t have a “story” for why you’re doing it, or if you are not willing to share that story, how could others give a flip about it and what’s really going to make them want to help? Make sense? Did you get the part above where Sarah was born in Alaska? That day back in May- that rush that I had to get to Alaska this summer to complete my 16 year goal happened out of nowhere. I trusted my gut, decided to go for it, asked for help and Sarah listened because I shared my story. Now 7 months, 16,000 miles and lots of work later, she’s still sticking by my side as an unpaid Intern. Not only is she my intern, but has become a friend and someone who has hugely helped me continue to work on this thing that I give all my flips about. I look forward to the day that I can hand her buckets of money for all she’s done for me. In the meantime I give her a million thanks and feed her Fruit 66 and mac n’ cheese 🙂

How to get an Intern? Ask for one. If you need tips or advice beyond this- let me know. I’ll be happy to help you.

P.S~ If you are looking for a funky cool gift for someone check out Sarah’s Etsy store here for her ceramics or drop her a line here about doing some photography for you. She is incredibly talented, not to mention ridiculously fun and reliable to work with!

no black sheep

In my Twitter feed the other day I learned of the movie: Pariah. Naturally I clicked through, curious at the intriguing looking film. Of course that lead me to learn of Kickstarter (what a great fundraising platform!) and to also watch the preview and interview with the makers of the film. I’ve shared before that I have a brother who is gay and several friends as well, so projects like this make me very thankful. We all have those days we feel judged, unsupported and confused as we grow up and attempt to find our feet underneath us. It’s hard enough to be an average, straight joe and wrap your head around your place in the world. I can’t imagine having my sexuality judged and hated too like so many do in the mix of the already overwhelming growing up process. The only way we’ll be able to keep promoting tolerance is to create windows into other people’s worlds that might be different than ours. Exposure is everything.

Congratulations on being a selection for the Sundance Film Festival Pariah. I hope you make your fundraising goal. Thank you for working so hard to make a film that will encourage open hearts and open minds. You are no doubt saving lives.

hint:

Ouch.

vote for one week job!

Guess who’s up for a Pepsi Refresh Grant?! My friends at One Week Job. Yay for them! I’ve written about Sean and OWJ a few times here. I got to meet and stay with him when I drove through Vancouver this summer during Alaska or Bust. I had a blast hanging out with he, Ian (Videographer) and their friends. In person, these guys were more humble, generous and interesting than I could’ve imagined. (What a bonus to find out people you think would be uber cool are even better than that when you finally meet.)

Please vote here for One Week Job.

Sean and Ian~

Congratulations on everything. So happy for you guys. Good luck and keep doing all that you do. Here’s to work you believe in, and following your passion!

do coupons ever really expire?

Alicia, who runs Social Media for American Honda Motor Company left me a return voicemail. SWEET! You know I love a Honda.

Travis, the Founder and CEO of Gogobot. has returned my email and we have set up a time to chat via phone. YAY! You know I love a fun company filled with people that travel.

In the irony of life, they both asked if I could stop by and meet them within days after I left the west coast to come east for the holidays. Thankfully I have a Honda that’s reliable and great on gas mileage, so if it’s necessary for me to drive a quick 3,000 miles again soon, I am all over it. We shall see. These are some of the many surprises to come. Aren’t you excited? I sure am.

Who knows what the future holds. I don’t need to. What I do know is the best way to do something is to start doing it. How is Alicia at Honda ever going to know I love the product her company makes if I don’t tell her? How is Travis supposed to know I think it’d be fun and I am experienced enough to work with his company if I don’t say: “Hey there Travis! I think your company looks swell. I’d really like to work with you, look what I have done! Can we chat?”

Before I get to my point in case you haven’t gotten it already, I’d like to share some inside scoop with you: I AM NOT A GENIUS. (In fact, I just Googled genius right now because no matter how many times I type it, I still want to type it as “genous” incorrectly spelled.) So? When people are aghast and asked how I’ve “managed” to do something, I reply: “I know this is going to sound crazy, but I just did it.” (Go figure, those Nike guys have been on to something all these years.) Logistics? Sure. Planning? Sometimes. Actually doing, as in- asking, attempting, starting some kind of movement? Yes. There’s no other way.

If you like it, love it, or gotta have it (indeed this is in reference to the fun sizes at Cold Stone Creamery) then start squeaking. If you’re not squeaking for that cheese, the mouse in the next house that is, will get it every time.

Thanks Grandma. Your: “They always take expired coupons if you just ask. All you have to do is ask.” -theory really does work!