I’m starting a new project called Consider the Source. Here’s a video overview of the concept, hope you will join me in taking part.
In short, we are losing ground. The modern media environment rewards the dumbest, loudest voices in the room. If we don't get better at the way we consume, share, and produce media, we are going to lose battle after battle. The risk of this is great: The ideals we cherish will never be realized.
For those of you following along here and on my podcast, you know I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about what we can do about it. I don't have the answers, but that's not what's important. My role is to help catalyze the conversations that need to happen among smart, connected people like you. To be able to get better at taking strong, positive ideas and speaking them with clarity and empathy.
Guess what? That's marketing. It won't solve all of our issues, but it's a key component in the solution. That's my contention. And an area where I can (maybe) help, given my background.
OK, but what about Marketing Without the Marketing?
Marketing Without the Marketing will still continue to exist in podcast form, as it has since 2015. I will post relevant episodes here as needed, though I invite you to subscribe in your favorite podcast app.
I think of this new project as an extension of what I’ve been doing with the podcast and this newsletter, rather than a replacement. The podcast is really focused on small business owners, freelancers, and other creatives – those trying to build an audience around a specific business purpose.
I wanted for Consider the Source to have a broader base – to be able to deal with messaging in a more general sense. Not just in the business realm, but in standing up for progressive ideals, political movements, and other things that try to bring positive outcomes to everyone – not just those who are wealthy and connected.
It we can get our messaging right, we can do great things together. It requires digging into the nuances, sculpting our language and design, and auditing the creative process. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it.
So I expect this newsletter to be a mix:
Consider the Source is about speaking with clarity and empathy in media – in general.
Marketing Without the Marketing will be a part of that, focused on respectful, ethical media strategies for small businesses in particular.
And I will include links to live performances, selected workshops that unpack the creative process, and exclusive and early-access episodes.
Starting with the next issue, I’ll be changing the name of this newsletter to Consider the Source to reflect this bigger mission.
Though I’ll be posting on Substack, my project hub will be Patreon. My reason is simple: I want this to be a community of people who really want to take part. I want you to be here with me because you want to. I am here to listen to you as much as you are here to listen to me.
Join me here (any level): https://patreon.com/mboezi
With love and respect,
Michael
P.S. Perhaps I’ll include some exclusive episodes here in Substack too, let’s see how this develops and who shows up. Hit me back and let me know your opinion though.