Keys to Success
From the “You Are the Future ©” Seminar
By Michael Cartier
Begin with focusing on what you can do for others, and the benefits to yourself will come naturally.
Expand your horizons. Develop your natural talents, but don’t be afraid to step out of the box. Learn something new, listen to different music, learn a new language, join an international club. You may discover a new talent in yourself!
You have the power to make a difference in the world … today.
If you make a difference in only one person’s life, that positive change will affect that person along with everyone that they come in contact with, from that day forward. Your one act of kindness and respect can give hope to an entire community, and effect subsequent generations to follow. No act of kindness is too small or insignificant. Working to help others will change your life.
‘Impossible’ is just a state of mind. When someone tells you that what you are trying to do is impossible, just say, “Yes, I know, but if it were possible, what would you be willing to do?” And while that person is busy living in the land of ‘impossible’, you are creating miracles. You can do the impossible! You will join the ranks of other miracle workers like Einstein, Bell, Salk, Mother Theresa, Mohammad Ali, Tiger Woods, etc. Be a miracle worker, the world is waiting for you to make a difference. Create the future you want. You are in control because you are the future!
What can you do? What if the project is ‘impossible’?
1. Select a project that you feel passionate about. It is that passion that will carry you through the rejections, and will move you forward when you feel totally exhausted. You will also discover that doing a community event is not much different than doing a school event (planning, recruiting, promoting, etc.)
Don’t limit yourself to large projects. Sometimes just playing a regular game of basketball with a young person who is feeling lonely or scared, can make all of the difference in the world to them, and you will be amazed at what it can do for you. It’s these little acts of kindness that can make a big difference.
Remember to expand your experiences. Learn about everything you can, and try all kinds of new things. You may discover a new passion.
2. Begin building your team. Make a commitment, your friends will hold you accountable, which will motivate you even further. You can inform others about your project by developing a website, creating an internet mailing list, contacting local clubs or groups who might have an interest in your project, or perhaps placing an ad in a local grocery store or newspaper. This way people will begin to know, talk about, and take action on your project. Be sure to let people know what’s in it for them (how will they benefit). Contact your Chamber of Commerce, religious organizations, your parent’s employers, schools, service organizations, etc.
People love recognition, set up a multi-level supporter list, with greater contributions of money or time listed in the top category, and create other categories to acknowledge lesser, but still vital contributors as well. This will act as a motivating factor for some participants in increase their contribution, and a lot of names will give additional credibility to your project, particularly if some of those names have community recognition. Get permission to use a person’s name, and make this list easily accessible to everyone.
3. Contact important leaders who can help you, or may have an interest in your project. Remember the power of youth. Important people are more likely to meet with a non-threatening young person who wants to make a change or improve something in the world, rather than someone older, who might have an agenda behind their words. Approach with a solution, give them a reason to participate in your project, in other words, what’s in it for them. This sometimes requires a little research, but is well worth your time, and is often very interesting. Practice your presentation and make it short, you only have a limited amount of time and need to make the best of it.
If the President of the company is busy, ask him for a referral to someone who he thinks could help you. Then when you approach that person, be sure to say, “Mr. Smith thought you might be interested in this project, and suggested that I speak with you”. When you approach this new person, you will now be entering with increased credibility and respect, especially if it’s from their boss. Many community leaders also enjoy the idea of encouraging and mentoring a young leader … which is you!
Also, keep daily coordinated records of who has been approached. Nothing cools off a prospective donor more than having 5 people call on him in a single day.
Contact others who have raised money in your community. They can be a great resource for donors and volunteers.
Locate grant money. This can be done through the Internet, or in books, or simply contacting corporations and other organizations who have a similar or related interest.
Contact the Mayor’s office. Their press secretary will be a great asset, especially if they can see an advantage to the community.
4. Dress for success. Be sure to dress for your audience. It helps with communication and shows respect for the person you are approaching, and their profession. You may wear a clean pair of jeans and a collared shirt (with no writing on it, with the exception of something related to your project), when approaching a casual business, like a fast food restaurant, service station, sports facility: however, when approaching a corporate executive, a tie and dress pants are recommended. Remember, you must speak your clients language, even if it is not your own, if you truly want to communicate.
5. Remember to approach powerful people in non-related areas because the leader you approach may have a strong personal interest in the project you are proposing (example: an electrical engineer may have had a family member die of cancer, making them very interested in cancer research; or your gardener’s sister might work in the Governor’s office).
6. Hold workshops, meetings, and conferences. Making change and improvement is also about face to face communication and grassroots involvement in communities. Organize an event, get help for the logistical details, but most importantly, make sure you have a plan. This plan is the map which will guide your project towards success. Remain flexible because you might discover a new way to achieve your goal. If available, make use of presentation tools like PowerPoint.
7. If you are preparing an event, be sure to check on the availability of your location, along with permit, license and other regulations and secure a site just a little smaller than you think you’ll need. Your event will look more successful if it looks a bit crowded, but not so much so that people will turn away. If only a few people show up, fancy up the place a bit, spread everything out, add some tables, and borrow lots of plants from everyone you know, to fill up space; and go heavy on the use of the word ‘exclusive’. There aren’t many people because only ‘special’ people were invited to this ‘exclusive’ private event.
8. Voice your passion, and use the media to get your message out. By using existing contacts, organizational contacts, or making new contacts, you can create effective ways to disperse information about your project. Newspapers and local radio and television stations are always looking for community programs to fill up space on slow news days; they also have a strong public relations desire to connect with the community.
9. Become involved in the world of youth networks. Most of these networks are online forums, using technology to convey their messages and ideas. These international websites are terrific ways for getting your project started, and getting support as well. Should you have the time and the resources, you could also start your own.
www.TakingItGlobal.org
www.WorldAssemblyOfYouth.org
10. Begin your advocacy campaign. Lobby politicians, corporations, and other powerful figures to help you with your goals. Let them know how this will benefit their objectives. Using the direct approach can often work better than beating around the bush because usually these executives have limited time; your opportunity to present your idea may be over before you get to the ‘punch-line’ of asking for action.
11. Present alternatives for people to become involved. This flexibility is crucial to success! Sometimes people might not have money to donate, but are willing to provide a necessary service, which has financial value (example: printing services, donating tables, providing volunteers, or food, etc.) If you itemize your projected expenses ahead of time, you will have a specific option to offer anyone who would like to contribute that item or service in lieu of money; and if you are affiliated with a non-profit organization, that contribution can be a tax write-off for the value of the service, which is yet another incentive for their support. For those who say they just can’t afford it, they may simply want to donate a discount certificate, which provides the donor with an added sale, yet he can still participate; once he sees what others are giving, he may offer more (nothing like a little peer pressure!).
Don’t let something like money stand in the way of you and the people you are about to help. Be a leader and show them how it’s done. Money is just a vehicle, if necessary, use other transportation.
Once you have established an organized effort and are ready to raise money, speak with a banker about how to set up a fundraising account. You will probably need an adult to secure the account and officially handle the financing. If you have a website, you can open a ‘Yahoo Wallet’ or ‘PayPal’ account, that will allow people to contribute to your organization using their credit card or checks online. These systems charge a small fee, but it is worth it for the added convenience of accepting credit cards and getting people to act now, because they may never get around to it later.
Create a ‘program’ for your event, which lists the day’s activities, along with the names of major donors, something information about the ‘cause’ and the benefits your project offers, provide a thank you list honoring your donors; then sell advertising space for additional income. Get someone like Kinko’s to donate the printing.
12. Attend local, regional, national, and international conferences and meetings. These meetings may have a general focus, or they may pertain to a specific issue. The Model UN conferences are a great way to open yourself up to the international youth community, and receive differing perspectives towards your issue.
Join an international club at your school or in your community. You can often find cultural groups like a French or Hispanic organization. These organizations can provide new perspectives and possibly spark new ideas relating to your project and can become natural sources of support.
13. Make submissions to media outlets everywhere. A great way of getting your message out is through writing articles, opinions, and commentaries. You can do this through internet media sources, newspapers, radio, and even TV. Research local media personalities, for their personal interests (you may have an unknown supporter).
Get free publicity!
1. Write an article in your local newspaper. An article will make you an instant expert, and give you added credibility (… as published in the New York Times). If you are uncomfortable with that, then write a letter to the editor relating to your topic of interest, or in response to a previous article in the paper. It’s amazing how many people read the editorial section of a newspaper, and it stands a better chance of getting published than a full article, where you are competing for space with professional writers.
2. Create an online newsletter. This is free and can be put on your own website, or that of one of the forum websites (which I will discuss in a minute). This will connect you to your target audience on a regular basis, and allow you to express your views to a wider readership. You can include a survey that you’ve conducted, or research you’ve completed, perhaps a resource list, or updated reports on your topic or the status of your project. Anything to get your name and your project to the reader on a regular basis. Then when you need to call on them for help, you will be a familiar name.
3. Radio. Call in to a talk show. Be sure to state your opinion as though you were addressing the United Nation, and not like you were on the Jerry Springer show. Be sure to back up your statements, and don’t just complain, give an alternative solution … which will naturally tie in to your project. If you establish a connection with the radio personality, they will often give listeners your contact information. If you come across as a credible source, then you may be given an opportunity to be interviewed on the air. If the project is community related, then you can frequently get the attention of the radio’s news or public relations departments.
4. Public Speaking. Public speaking makes you an instant expert in the eyes of your audience. Make sure that you have done your homework so that you reinforce that image. These speeches cost you nothing, and you can usually get a free lunch or dinner out of it . Organizations are always looking for new speakers. You could approach local youth groups (YMCA, scouts, etc.), schools, Chamber of Commerce, service clubs (Rotary, Junior League, etc.). Sometimes these organizations have funds available for youth or community projects, or they can provide volunteers.
5. Create a website. With the use of technology, and the limited amount of time available to most people, the internet can become your best partner. In setting up your website, remember that this may be your only chance to reach a particular person. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, and first impressions are lasting.
Make you website copy interesting, short, and easy to read. Provide links, buttons and banners to more detailed information, if your reader should want it. Give lots of thought to presentation. Use color (remember that if your favorite color is black and red, that using these colors for text is hard on the eyes and may discourage your reader from finishing the copy), layout, fonts, spacing, graphics, bold, italic, and underlining options to your advantage. Create a masterpiece!
Simplify your message; people like the idea of “10 Easy Steps to …”, or the idea of getting something free. Perhaps they can get a ‘Free’ subscription to your monthly newsletter with a small contribution, if they sign up ‘today’. You may even target a specific audience, such as having a separate page for corporations, individuals, or students. The message is the same, but the presentation might be different. Place many ‘buttons’ throughout the webpage that allows them to ‘Sign up now’, and continually emphasize the benefits to them, not just the services that you will provide. For example: the new park will have swings, a pond, playing fields, picnic areas, etc.; instead talk about a beautiful place for a family day of fun, and the opportunity to connect with new friends in the community. People often donate from the heart, not the head. Remember that in your presentation.
6. Create a community or school award. Provide recognition to an individual or group who are making a difference in your area of focus. This will encourage participation and reward contribution. It will also give the media a reason to publicize your group and projects, and reach others who may be good resources.
7. Do the usual fundraising activities, like car washes, bake sales, garage sales, races, and even a ‘Get Rid of Lose Change’ campaign. All of those pennies can add up to big dollars.
8. Be sure to send out thank you notes. Your donors appreciate your courtesy, and will be more willing to help you again in the future.
9. There is no such thing as impossible. When someone says your project is impossible, you say, “Yes, I know, but if it were possible, what would you be willing to do”. Don’t let other’s limitations become your own. Dare to blaze new roads. Dare to create new possibilities. Dare to be all that you know you are. Dare to make a difference.
14. Have fun, and never give up. If something is not going the way you anticipated, just try a different way. Turn your ‘failures’ into challenges, and ultimately successes. Sometimes what looks like a failure, is actually a success in disguise. Keep working on it until you get it done, and remember that there is usually more than one way to achieve your goal, be open to alternatives. Talk about the project or event as if it was already a done deal. People won’t want to be the only ones left out. Expect help from the most unlikely sources, you may be pleasantly surprised. If you expect everything to be perfect before beginning, then you may be sitting around waiting for a very long time. There are people out there who need you now, and they don’t expect perfection; they just want to know that someone cares. The road to success begins with the first step, take that step now!
Don’t just be a dreamer, be a doer! Make your dreams come true today! Create your future. The difference between a dream and a goal is in the action … take action!
You are the future!
All rights reserved. No duplication of material without express written permission of the author, Michael Cartier. Material may be used with proper attribution.
