Spreading the word.

I have already started spreading the word about CreateAthon, in fact I think I stated the second I got involved and went CreateAthon crazy after the 24-hour event. I tell everyone I meet about CreateAthon. Seriously! I am not worried about forgetting to spread some CreateAthon spirit, I am more worried about annoying people. 

What would I change about CreateAthon?

I had such an amazing CreateAthon experience and I am not sure I could even think about changing anything. Maybe a naptime? I’m just not sure. I’ve said this before but Peyton always says, in reference to CreateAthon, “Everything always works out.” THIS IS TRUE! And because of this I don’t think I would change a thing. Now I think is probably I reflection of Peytons hard work just as much as it is the experience, but either way it is true. Just keep Peyton involved and we should all be just fine.

Carter Printing!!

What I learned about the way I work.

I really enjoy working with others! I see the level of work that can come out of working with others and having the ability to bounce ideas off of people who think differently than you. To me this creates the best work and gets you out of your own head. You’re no longer talking to yourself, but talking to other and that’s exactly what you’re trying to so when selling a product or market a non- profit.

 Particularly with CreateAthon I realize the advantage of working with a group of people who all have different skills. This is where the real magic happens and this is why I think our final product was so great! We had designers working while getting input from the strategist and has the strategist working while getting input from the writers, etc. All within a 24 hour period. It was a really neat experience and a first for me.

Working with clients.

CreteAthon was my first experience with actual clients and I have learned a lot. I think its interesting to look back and realize that you provide a lot for your client, but that you also ended up learning from them as well. I didn’t realize it when it was happening! Actually I didn’t even realize it until I started to think about this blog post.  

 

Some things I have learned:

-      Listen to you clients! Listen closely

                        If you client have a problem listen to them discuss it and listen to their solution. Even if their solution isnt right you can get an idea of what their thinking and maybe come up with something better in the end.

-      Get comfortable with your clients;

                        I got comfortable with them quickly and then it was much easier to do everything else. Whether is was asking them questions, scheduling meeting, or discussing the work, it all became much easier.

-      Don’t be afraid to ask questions

                        They want to understand everything and they would rather you get it than trying to figure it out yourself and potentially getting confused.

  

Again, I’m not sure this is true for every client, but these are just a few things I from GRBF. Thanks!

Why EVERYONE should participate in CreateAthon.

CreateAthon has provided me with the opportunity to take what I have learned as an advertising major and apply it to real world projects. Advertising is a major full of big ideas and CreateAthon gives us the opportunity to apply these ideas to not only to real projects, but also to the development of non-profit organizations in our community. That’s pretty big! The experience does not only benefit us, but also the local non-profits by providing them with promotional materials and marketing plans to assist them in continuing to benefit our community.

            Through this experience I have become more connected with the community and am much more aware of the amount of work that many are doing to benefit the Richmond area. I have meet so many amazing people that I would not have met otherwise and find the experience to be invaluable.

            I believe schools as well as their local communities could benefit form this experience and that they should get involved with the CreateAthon network.

CreateAthon Colaboration: The good, bad and ugly.

I am a fan of some collaboration. I have always said the 2 brains are better than one, but I think CreateAthon proved that 6 brains are pretty freakin’ awesome!

Some GRBF collaboration on the home page.

The good:

            We would have never completed all that we did unless we had all worked together so well. We gave GRBF two complete brand identities plus promotional material and were left with time to spare. The things we completed were also amazing!!

The bad and ugly

            No bad no ugly. Too great!

WOWW!

I don’t even know if I could put into words how amazing CreateAthon is, but I am going to try.

THE EVENT

            First, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I understood my non-profit and felt comfortable with it and those involved, but I really hadn’t though too much about the day of. I not sure if this was because of the stress that I thought would come with the thought of it or maybe it had to do with all the other things I was working on before the event. Either way, I must say, it all came together perfectly!           

            Peyton has said many times, in reference to CreateAthon, “it always works out”. I found this hard to believe when she said it, but I’m kind of starting to believe it. I went into CreateAthon knowing some people on my team and then not knowing others at all, but it just worked out. When we all came together it was as if we had always been working together. This had to be one of the most amazing/surprising aspects of CreateAthon.

 

            Second, CreateAthon is not stressful, but what is stressful is the 30 minutes before you meet with your client and you realize you have nothing to do but think about everything you’re about to present. Stuff you didn’t have time to think about before. This is by far the most stressful part of CreateAthon (when you are doing absolutely nothing) I rushed to the bathroom twice because of my stomach!

Butttt….all the nervousness went away the second I saw my client. Seriously! I was confident in the work we had created and I was comfortable with my client and GRBF. I had been working with them for half a semester and as soon as I saw them I knew it was gonna be great!

CreateAthon is an experience unlike any other. Not only have I learn a lot in regards to my major, but I learned a lot about myself throughout the process. I have always believed in surrounding yourself with those who are smarter and more experienced than you and through CreateAthon I have been able to do this for the majority of the semester. I can’t wait to continue the process and am anxious to see what’s next!

This evening I had a great afternoon.

- Describing the importance of grammar in writing. (via aortathence)

I love CreateAthon class!!

Source: aortathence

Creative Brief

One of the things we’ve been working on the most leading up to the event, is the creative brief that we send to our clients. The brief is a way for the client and CreateAthon to make sure they are both on the same page when it comes to the non-profits goals, message, audience, etc.

Lets just say the process hasn’t been simple. It’s been longgggg. Ten revisions long. 

As long as this process was though, I enjoyed it. I am not quite finished, but it’s been pretty neat to really immerse myself in my non-profit. It’s in having to do this that I have begun to deeply understand them.

We talked earlier in the semester about how the creative brief is so important to have, not only for your client, but for your team. I haven’t been through the CreateAthon process yet, but I don’t really know what I would do the day of without it. It has simplified my client down into an extremly detailed page and lets those who have never even heard of GRBF get a deep understanding of who they really are.

 With all that saidddd…….I cant wait to be done with it.