Anthony Mendez' Post-amp

What happens outside of my voiceover studio

Starting Over

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Every once in a while, there are changes that require a "reboot." That picture is from my installation of Ubuntu (a Linux operating system distribution) on my Dell mini 9 netbook. Since last December, I have dumped Windows on all my home computers, except my studio (Mac,) in favor of Ubuntu.

There is something liberating about having my machines run an Open-Source operating system. But with that freedom, comes having to learn how to do essential tasks that I used to take for granted in Windows. A few of those things, as they pertain to my work and marketing, include designing in Photoshop, editing HTML in Dreamweaver, editing video (specifically Quicktime,) and creating documents in Word. It was like starting over - a reboot.

Everybody who knows me is familiar with the fact that although I love technology, I follow a simple "if it ain't broke don't fix it" rule (I still run OS9 on the studio machine.) I felt my previous operating system was broken (Windows' registry can be like a brat throwing a tantrum when things aren't exactly the way it wants it to be) and so I "fixed" it by replacing it with Ubuntu. With that comes some growing pains, but when you understand the benefits and can see the big picture, rebooting (i.e., starting over) is well worth it.

In the coming weeks I'll be "rebooting" my PromoARK blog as I shift gears into writing more about on-air promos. This blog will continue to be a place where I discuss ideas, observations, and technology and their affect on life and work - just not as frequently as before. In other words, the hub of my hub-and-spokes social media presence, will shift. I hope you will shift with me.

-Anthony

The company you keep

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As you move through life, you update your friends as often as you update your wardrobe. It's almost as if you recycle, reuse, and discard your social group. It's a part of life. There are a select few that you keep around, because there's obviously some mutual benefit to those relationships. That's just the way it is. It's part of growing up. There are major moments - like graduating from high school or moving away - that present you with an opportunity to reinvent yourself and so you make new friends that know you for who you are at that moment in time. Facebook has ruined this.

Yes, reconnecting with old friends can be fun. Sure, connecting with family abroad or across the country can be heartwarming. But what if you're happy with leaving old friends behind; as a mere memory of your past life? A lot has happened to people you think you still know. So, are they still the same people? I'd venture to guess they're not. Although, based on some Facebook comments you might have received from your ol' school peeps, apparently not much has changed (specifically their level of maturity.) This brings me to the question:

Is the company you keep now more important than ever before?

On Twitter, if someone says something immature, profane, or bordering on sexual harassment, it's that person that embarrasses themselves or, worse, does damage to their own reputation. Not to mention, a simple block, will no longer allow that person to see your tweets in their stream. In contrast, with Facebook, every single one of your friends, contacts, or even Mom, can see that person's comments on your page. It's almost an unofficial endorsement of their stupidity.

Am I wrong? I don't believe in protecting your tweets just like I don't believe in having a Facebook wall that people can't post on; that would be counterproductive (not to mention it says that you like to be heard but don't like to listen.) But I do believe in making the distinction between the two and taking into account that the company you keep does indeed reflect on you as an individual and as a professional. 'Time to graduate.

-Anthony

P.S. Wow - that's two posts about social media within a week's time. Tomorrow, we'll discuss cookies and cupcakes.

Defending social media

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As you can see, my DVR is 95% full (and I'm finally watching The Defenders.) I've pretty much given up on getting it to anywhere below 90% what with all the series and season premieres these past two weeks. Even if I delete after watching (or viewing some OnDemand,) I still can't clear enough space.

Today, I tweeted and Facebooked (what's the verb for FB? I believe it's called "bragging") about it and received a comment from fellow voice-over artist Ron Levine. He showed me a DVR Expander - which is basically an external USB hard drive specifically targeted at digital-hoarders like myself. I received other suggestions as well from several people about adapting a regular USB drive for the same purpose, getting another DVR box, or manning-up and taking back control of our entertainment (not gonna happen.)

What I loved most about this, is that all of the suggestions were sincere attempts to help (or poke fun at me.) No affiliate links; no "brands" trying to sell me anything. Just helpful tips from real people. That doesn't happen every day. Just a day or two ago, I tweeted (or ranted) about colleagues inquiring about your business. I was almost immediately engaged by another voice-over artist (for some reason, tons of voice-over artists tend to follow other voice-over artists and call it networking) who agreed with my point. It only took about two more tweets before she invited me to register for her webinar - at a fee of course. Uh... no thanks. I thought we were friends. Foolish me.

I'm not throwing stones here. I too tried my hand at internet marketing, only to have found myself going to bed nauseous every night. And so, I now use twitter and Facebook to converse with people who either do things for a living that fascinate me or have a similar passion for creativity, family, the arts, technology, and entertainment in general. Sometimes, those very same people hire me.  Sometimes, we just share a laugh. Sometimes, we share war stories. And, sometimes, we support each other as independent creative people. Other times I end up buying something from them; not because they pitched me, but because I like them and what they have to say. So, after looking at their profile and visiting their website, I buy something. It's like getting "more" of that person.

Give more of yourself. Your real self. It's refreshing. There's nothing wrong with talking about what you've done or feel proud of having accomplished, but, I beg of you, just don't sell me anything. I'm not interested in your product. I'm interested in you - especially if you're not a voice-over artist (but rather a real person that is.)

Here's to the real people online! You put the social in social media. Group hug.

-Anthony

SuperPeeves

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This isn't so much of a rant as it is a question. If it were a rant, I'd start with pet peeves; especially of the social media variety. Checking into your own home studio on Foursquare ranks high on that list. As does using Twitter as an RSS feed with very little interaction. Now that I think of it, putting me on your email newsletter just because we've exchanged emails is also one of the top five. No, wait; getting a friend request on Facebook or asking to connect on LinkedIn just to have my contacts scavenged... sorry. I digress. Not a rant. Not a rant. My question: Does anyone still use the yellow pages or some variety of it?

Yesterday, there was a van with temporary license plates and absolutely no commercial markings on it whatsoever, moving slowly down my street as the passenger kept jumping out to drop off bags in front of everyone's homes. The bags contained the Yellow Pages. As if the van wasn't weird enough, I don't even have phone service through the local phone company (can you hear me now?) Yet, there they were, on the front steps soaked in that day's rain poorly protected by the tied-up shopping bag.

Now I know what some of you might say, "Just call to opt out." But that's like getting an email asking that I take the time to write back in order to unsubscribe when I'd never subscribed to begin with.

I might use it. I just can't imagine what for. Any ideas?

American Idolizationism

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In this dog run, there is no dog. There is no owner. Hence, no pack order. So, obviously, there is no leader and no leader of the leader (i.e., the human.) That's what the picture says. That's what the photographer wants you to believe. The human. Me. Invisible. Standing there next to my dog. Also invisible. This is my morning routine. The walk. Then a stop at the dog run. Tea. Meditation. Almonds. Then the walk. Then home.

That bench is my throne. The park is my kingdom. On rare occasions, other humans and their dogs occupy my space. They just don't know it's my space and so I wait until they acknowledge me. Most of them are not entertaining (both human and dog.) I expect them to be. But that's selfish. Self-aggrandizing. And so I stop. Who am I to judge?

What are your expectations of others? Are they too lofty? Do you hate your boss or have clients you just can't satisfy? Do you have colleagues that you just find plain boring?

Is it time to do a little introspection and adjust your expectations of others? For many gurus, experts, and idolized creatives and talent alike - it's not only time, it's long overdue.

I will use social media the way I see fit. I will market the way I feel comfortable. I will not worship you. Instead, I will meditate and allow my voice to guide me. I will be "me." There are many facets of "me." There are many forms of expression. In each one, there will be varying degrees of "me" and varying degrees of expression. To expect them all to be the same is akin to expecting your chocolate candy bar to taste the same as hot chocolate or - God forbid - a chocolate truffle or - worse - a chocolate cake.

Are you guilty of idolizing those that put their pants on the same way you do? Let me simplify this - how many times have you posted to your "idol's" Facebook account or tweeted them only to receive no engagement whatsoever?

-Anthony

P.S. I know "idolizationism" isn't a word, so don't refudiate it.