What’s that magic sauce that they’re using? Is there a way to “get what they’re having”? And how do they come up with all this cool content all the time? They most certainly must have some tiny social media robot working for them in the basement brainstorming, strategizing, and cranking out one irresistible tweet after another. Not to mention their killer photos on Instagram.

Sorry to disappoint you, but there’s no social media robot. Well, not entirely. There are (more or less) handy tools like Tweetdeck and Hootsuite that help you manage your social media activities. But no Tweetdeck can replace a human brain when it comes to awesome things to say and valuable content to share. That part’s on you, rebel!

Truth is, the most “successful” brands and people on social media are those that are not afraid to just be themselves. The more natural you come across, the more relatable you and your brand will be.

In order to get a step closer to that social engagement of your dreams, you want to be true to yourself. A social media robot that does all the work for you might be a great dream, but a robot doesn’t have a soul, a heart and simply isn’t real. And trust me, your audience will pick up on that.

Speak like a human being

Instead of trying to talk with a rehearsed corporate voice, tap into your human nature and speak like a human being on social media. People connect with people, not with products or corporations.

If you are helpful and answer people’s questions on social media, share content that’s valuable to them or just let your personality shine through, your tribe will be listening and most likely responding in one way or the other. Creating relationships should be your number one goal on social media. It’s not called social media for nothing, right?!

Here are just a few examples of awesome people and brands that let their true selves guide their conversations on social media:

Hey, Sweet Pea on Instagram

Gala Darling on Facebook

Mars Dorian on Twitter

Lunapads.de on Facebook

Paul Jarvis on Twitter

SoleRebels on Facebook

Danielle Dowling on Facebook

Be of service

How else can you be true to yourself on social media? Be very conscious about how you sell and promote your services or products on social media. You don’t want to scare people away with annoying sales pitches. Again, you want to be of service.

If you have a new product or service out, think about how it can benefit your audience. How can your product or service help others and what problems does it solve? Focus on communicating that particular benefit, instead of the price or the shiny new object.

Know and share your purpose

If you’re reading my posts regularly, you probably know by now that I’m a huge fan of Simon Sinek’s philosophy for running an authentic business: Sinek strongly encourages companies and entrepreneurs to “start with why”.

What does that mean? Your “why’” is the reason why your started your business in the first place (and no, it’s not to make money). It’s your purpose, your mission, your life goal if you will.

Once you’re crystal clear about why you’re doing what you’re doing, your messaging on social media and other online homes should evolve around your “why”. (Tip: Some serious soul searching action is in order if you haven’t figured out your ‘why’ yet.)

That doesn’t mean that every single piece of content you’re sharing with the world needs to have a profound, philosophical meaning. It just means that you want to keep in mind your “why” as you’re creating content and sharing it with people.

Some questions to ask yourself before you post or hit publish are:

• Does this piece of content reflect my purpose, or is it way off?
• Is this message something that I’d stand up for even if someone questioned it or criticized me?
• Am I not just posting this to please XYZ [insert mother, teacher, guru, audience etc. here]?
• Why am I sharing this? Why does it matter?

There are many ways to share your “why”.  As long as you keep your eye on the “why” you’ll have a high chance that your true self and brand will shine through and inspire people to action. And wouldn’t you love waking up to meaningful Facebook comments and @reply’s from your tribe?

Here’s to your true self, rebel! Let me know how it goes.

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If you liked this blog post, sign up for my newsletter. You’ll also receive the rebel manifesto to kick-start your uniqueness. 

I’ve chosen not to have comments on my blog. To share your ideas with me, comment on my Facebook page, or simply write to me. And if you appreciate my work, please share this post by using the social share buttons above this post.

If you would like to have one-on-one direct access to me and dive into discovering your true voice, consider participating in a rebel session for heart-centered entrepreneurs and business owners who desire purpose and profit.
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photo credit: micahb37 via photopin cc

The post How to be true to yourself on social media appeared first on Communications Rebel.

Yeah, you heard that right. It takes a daily commitment to the craft if you want to grow as a writer. That doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. On the contrary, the more fun you have spending time with words and sentences and storytelling, the better.

The tricky part is figuring out how you can make your reading and writing activities an everyday routine – in such a way that you’re looking forward to get to it as you wake up every morning.

It so happens that Stephen King, the author of more than fifty books (all of them worldwide bestsellers by the way), knows a thing or two about the craft of writing. So much so that he wrote a memoir sharing his journey on becoming a bestselling author and writing lessons he learned along the way.

Here are some of King’s revealing insights that inspired me most:

Write, write, write

After Stephen King had graduated from college with a teacher’s certificate (his mom encouraged him to finish college in case the writing career wouldn’t work out), he couldn’t find a job as a teacher immediately, so he ended up working at a local laundry and the second shift at Dunkin’ Donuts to keep his family (a wife and 2 kids) financially afloat.

Despite his crazy work schedule, King found time to write: “I wrote after work; […] I would sometimes write a little on my lunch hour, too. I suppose that sounds almost impossibly Abe Lincoln, but it was no big deal – I was having fun. Those stories, grim as some of them were, served as brief escapes from the boss,[…].”

Writing lesson: If “the” King can do it, so can you. Use pockets of time, no matter how small, to write or read.

Lean on your support team

Stephen King confessed that what kept him going in those years as a struggling young writer was the support he got from his wife.

“My wife made a crucial difference during those two years […]. If she had suggested that the time I spent writing stories on the front porch of our rented house on Pond Street or in the laundry room of our rented trailer on Klatt Road in Hermon was wasted time, I think a lot of heart would have gone out of me. […] Her support was a constant, one of the few good things I could take as a given. […] Writing is a lonely job. Having someone who believes in you makes a lot of difference.”

Writing lesson: Notice, who in your life is on your side. Appreciate them. Lean on them.

Find the right space

Where are you most productive? In which environment do you thrive? Some people prefer to write in coffee shops that are buzzing with life; others need a quiet sanctuary to boost their creative output.

Or you might like Stephen King’s suggestion: “Put your desk in the corner, and every time you sit down there to write, remind yourself why it isn’t in the middle of the room. Life isn’t a support-system for art. It’s the other way around.”

Writing lesson: Find a place that’s right for you. And stick with it. Make it a habit to sit in that place and write. Make your art your support system for life.

Take it seriously

Have you ever had those moments when you were thinking “I’m so behind with my blog posts. I gotta crank this baby out!” Well yeah, I’ve been there, too. The problem with this is: it’s the wrong approach to writing.

Yes, you might be behind schedule. But don’t let that “urgency” be your driving force for writing. Your motivation must come from a different place in order for your writing to work. And with “to work” I mean: to connect with the reader.

Stephen King has another word for this magic writer-reader connection: he calls it telepathy. Wait, what?

Here’s how King describes the connection between a writer and his reader: “We’re not […] in the same year together, let alone the same room…except we are together. We’re close. We’re having a meeting of the minds.”

And because of this, you have to take writing seriously.

Click to TWEET this writing lesson: Approach your writing from an earnest place in your heart.

As Stephen King knows best: “You can approach the act of writing with nervousness, excitement, hopefulness, or even despair […]. You can come to the act with your fists clenched and your eyes narrowed, ready to kick ass and take down names. […] Come to it any way but lightly. Let me say it again: you must not come lightly to the blank page.”

Ready to get cracking and kick some ass with your writing? I thought so.

Rebel on!

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If you liked this blog post, sign up for my newsletter. You’ll also receive the rebel manifesto to kick-start your uniqueness. 

I’ve chosen not to have comments on my blog. To share your ideas with me, comment on my Facebook page, or simply write to me. And if you appreciate my work, please share this post by using the social share buttons above this post.

If you would like to have one-on-one direct access to me and dive into discovering your true voice, consider participating in a rebel session for heart-centered entrepreneurs and business owners who desire purpose and profit.
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The post Writing Lessons from Stephen King appeared first on Communications Rebel.

The United Nations declared May 3 World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of press. Today, we remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression. We pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. And we honor reporters who have risked their safety for the truth – like Rafael Marques de Morais, an Angolan reporter and anti-corruption activist, who was featured in an interview with ONE not too long ago.

As I used to work as a newspaper reporter and TV news producer in Germany for several years, World Press Freedom Day is especially important to me. Why? Because freedom of press begins with freedom of speech – and freedom of speech is a right that we often take for granted in our democratized Western world.

In celebration of World Press Freedom Day, I invite you to speak up for your mission. Let us hear your voice, and share what you think the world needs to hear from you.

I believe we not only have the right to share our opinion and our unique voice, both in business and personal life – it’s our duty to speak up for ourselves, for others, and for the greater good of our community.

Here’s why it’s so important for us to speak up and share from the heart:

Truth fuels progress + change.

No matter if you’re sharing your true voice on a large scale or with a small audience, truth is a catalyst for progress and change. Every new movement, every idea, every vision for change + innovation, starts with someone speaking from the heart and laying it on the line. Yes, it’s scary at times, but if it weren’t scary it wouldn’t mean so much to you.

Your true voice inspires others.

Like Angolan reporter Rafael Marques de Morais, who has been standing up against corruption in his country and inspiring others to join him in his activism, your voice will make a difference in the lives of others if you champion a cause that will improve the status quo. Inspire others by tapping into your ‘why’.

You will grow.

Ever had a situation where you stood up for yourself or someone else, or even an entire community, by using your voice. Your message, if articulated from a place of passion and love, will not only change people. It will ultimately change yourself making you grow as a person and as a business owner. You will come out stronger, more confident, and with a clear vision on where to go next.

That’s why World Press Freedom Day is important. It reminds us of our obligation to commit to the truth – which lies in our unique voice. Millions of people around the world have to fight for that right every day; thousands are imprisoned because they spoke the truth.

You have no excuse. Go out and speak up for yourself, for your community, your business, and your movement. Whatever is is you’re wanting to change for the better, take the time today and say what you have to say.

Be a communications rebel.

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If you liked this blog post, sign up for my newsletter. You’ll also receive the rebel manifesto to kick-start your uniqueness. 

I’ve chosen not to have comments on my blog. To share your ideas with me, comment on my Facebook page, or simply write to me. And if you appreciate my work, please share this post by using the social share buttons above this post.

If you would like to have one-on-one direct access to me and dive into discovering your true voice, consider participating in a rebel session for heart-centered entrepreneurs and business owners who desire purpose and profit.
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The post Why It’s Your Duty to Speak Up appeared first on Communications Rebel.

What’s the best part of my job? Working with amazing entrepreneurs and business owners like Britta Wein.

Britta works closely with Lunapads International, headquartered in Canada, when it comes to defining the mission and the value of the products offered. All Lunapads products are reusable and help reduce waste creating a healthier planet.

After a few rebel sessions (via Skype), I sat down with Britta and asked her to share some of her experiences and insights when it comes to promoting a young business that has such big goals as Lunapads.de. I hope you enjoy what Britta has to say! And rebel ladies, check out Lunapads when you have a chance – they’re doing amazing work and offer fun products to make you feel pampered and healthy every day of the month.

At Communications Rebel, a big part of our work is help clients communicate their “WHY”. So…WHY did you start Lunapads.de? What’s your mission?

My mission is foremost to help women have healthier periods and help them understand what they need during that time of the month, and also perhaps on a daily basis -> hello pantyliners! . If women make the switch to reusable menstrual products, it has a direct affect on the environment: using a sustainable, washable product helps reduce waste, and it also helps save valuable resources.

I can’t think of a better niche product that offers such a creative and empowering way to honor our bodies and care for the planet. It does take a bit of work to get women to notice that what has been sold as hygienic products for decades has a negative effect on our environment and can compromise our health. We need to advocate for change – and that’s WHY I started Lunapads.de.

As the CEO of Lunapads.de you’re currently taking care of everything from website management to processing sales orders to marketing and customer service. At what point in your start-up journey did you decide to get help with your communications needs?

It was in a moment asking the universe for a sign and right then, Nina and her wonderful Communications Rebel business appeared on the scene! When you’re practically a one-woman-show, like I am, you acquire new skills almost every single day. After a while you realize what you’re super at and which areas of your business you need help with. One can only learn that much in life, right?!

When I contacted Nina, I was at a point where I had to reach out to bloggers and the media. And while my writing is good, I knew that I needed the best support and mentoring I could find to help me create outstanding public relations for my business. Without great PR, I wouldn’t be able to have an impact and make a difference in the world. I want my prospects find awesome and useful content. I also want Lunapads.de to be ranked higher in organic search, and I like to see journalists and bloggers write about Lunapads.de.

What was one thing that you immediately implemented or put into practice after your first few CR sessions?

Well, after our first rebel session Nina gave me some homework to do and made me change the copy on all of my pages. Mostly, it was tiny bits and pieces – like making sure that all links where in a specific color to enhance their visibility.

The biggest changes where: Integrating call-to-actions at the bottom of web pages like links to other related content on my website, and breaking lots of content into smaller paragraphs by including sub headers.

Not only is Nina a pro when it comes to marketing communications and a connoisseur of print and online media, her specialty is social media and digital marketing. I now understand that in the online world, all content is related and linked to one another – and success is only possible when you implement tactics in all of these disciplines.

To give an example: you can write the best article and know your audience, but when your website doesn’t show up in Google or Bing then what good does your presence really do. All content needs to be optimized on your website. Nina gave me really juicy tips and insights on how to optimize content for organic search.

A lot of businesses I’ve worked with find it hard to come up with topics and ideas for blog posts, videos and other content pieces that help spread the word. How are you finding things to talk about when it comes to your product?

Having a nice brand and a wonderful product or service, the creation of content goes hand in hand with the creation of value for your prospects. So how do you create value? You have to try to look behind the scenes: find out what your audience is thinking, what are they talking about and what might they be interested in.

In my case, I initially learned a lot from Lunapads.com – the North American sister company – which was very helpful. However, Germany is a totally different market, and when I started I had no idea what German women would think about Lunapads products. I sent out free samples in order to get as much feedback as possible: how did they find me, what brought them to me, what are they interested in, and a few demographics were very helpful as well.

In order to create value you have to know what your audience really cares about. What do they have to say about your product? How do they like it? I suggest creating an informational product, like an infographic or a white paper that you can share with your audience for free. It will help build your word-of-mouth communications. It’s a little more difficult to create viral momentum when you’re sharing a free sample of a physical product, but it’s possible.

Once you have gathered some information about your audience, you can then think of content and topics that your audience could be interested in. In my case, I’m sharing tips on how women can save money as well as information on other environmental and wellness related topics.

Nina and I discussed the creation of a newsroom on my website, and she encouraged me to write press releases. They are not only good to have on your website, but you can use press releases to reach out to reporters and bloggers and you can distribute them to online PR platforms too.

We also discussed video marketing in addition to the written content I already have. Here’s the nice thing about today’s online world: once you create multiple channel content, everything is shareable and really helps spread the word. Nina also mentioned online surveys to me, which are a very interesting way to get feedback from your audience. I will probably include a survey in my next newsletter.

Why do you think it’s important for businesses to work with an outside communications expert?

Most of the start-ups out there are driven by a great idea. It’s easy to afford an online presence these days, and you can also extent your reach with DIY marketing pretty far – but then there is a natural stopping point.

If you really want to create buzz around your mission and your product or service, I’d recommend any entrepreneur to reach out for an external professional or an agency that have the knowledge and the tools to do an effective PR job.

When I reached out to Nina at Communications Rebel, she helped me by adding the right kind of advice to my work. She spiced up what was already there. And because she knows the itches and glitches that small businesses often encounter when it comes to marketing communications, she made sure that I plan ahead to avoid any communications mishaps.

When I hired Nina I was impressed with her fireworks of great advice, ideas, hints and tips ranging from writing and editing to sharing content as well as social media and SEO best practices. She really helped me become clear on my message and create even better value. Now, I’m prepared to upscale my business and bring it to the next level!!

The post Communications Insights from Lunapads Germany CEO Britta Wein appeared first on Communications Rebel.

Let’s face it: We all need food for our entrepreneurial soul.

That’s why I attended the 2013 Renegade Women’s Conference in Santa Monica, California, yesterday. Organized by the renegade queens Donna Queza and Nailah Blades, the event brought together corporate renegades turned entrepreneurial powerhouses who are all looking for better ways to do business.

As a special something from me to you, I’m presenting you with some nuggets of business wisdom that inspired me at #RWC13. [Yes, that's a hashtag, and you can look it up on Twitter for more juicy inspiration!]

“People don’t fall in love with products, they fall in love with other people.” ~@krissdidit

“It’s not about living, it’s about something to live for.” ~@pamslim

“The great mistake is to anticipate the outcome of the engagement; you ought not to be thinking whether it ends in victory or defeat. Let nature take its course, and your tools will strike at the right moment.” ~Bruce Lee [one of Pam Slim's Bruce Bombs ]

“The entrepreneurial life is a go big or go home philosophy…. does that sound balanced?” ~@DDowling_

“Your ROOT is what makes this journey worth it.” ~@pamslim

“Writing for your readers is a pre-investment.” ~@DDowling_

“Make sure you’re telling your true story.” ~@pamslim

“The universe responds to your diligence, but also responds to your joy.” ~@DDowling_

“Life is about the management of your power.” ~@DDowling_

“Are you a force for good? Make sure your BODY of WORK contributes to the good of the world.” ~@pamslim

“Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.” ~Bruce Lee

Feeling inspired yet? Yep. I thought so. Now, go out and conquer your world, rebel!

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If you liked this blog post, sign up for my newsletter. You’ll also receive the rebel manifesto to kick-start your uniqueness. 

I’ve chosen not to have comments on my blog. To share your ideas with me, comment on my Facebook page, or simply write to me. And if you appreciate my work, please share this post by using the social share buttons above this post.

If you would like to have one-on-one direct access to me and dive into discovering your true voice, consider participating in a rebel session for heart-centered entrepreneurs and business owners who desire purpose and profit.
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The post Inspiring Quotes :: Renegade Women’s Conference Edition appeared first on Communications Rebel.

Now, you might ask yourself what do dying people and bucket lists have to do with communicating your message? A lot. Read on to find out:

As a professional listener of stories people tell on their dead beds, Kathleen Taylor noticed a common thread: “People at the end of their lives are incapable of bullshit.” And Taylor knows why: “All the daily, worldly distractions that tempt us away from being honest with ourselves, fall off the map when you’re facing death.”

The distractions, according to Taylor, are different for everyone: being right, being important, being busy, being guilty, or being self-conscious.

One thing is clear though: People at the end of their lives are distilled, crystallized, and pure versions of who they are. Because there’s no time or strength left to be otherwise.

What if we could get to that unadulterated version of who we are NOW?

Wouldn’t that completely change how we communicate in our personal life and in business?

Exercise: Think about what distracts you throughout the day. And focus on emotional distractions, not so much actual things.

Write down what emotions or feelings come up during the day. Are you feeling misunderstood? Guilty? Self-conscious? Angry? Disappointed?

Take each and every emotion on your list and ask yourself: Why am I feeling that way? What triggered this emotion? How do I feel about having this emotion? Am I truly connected to how I feel or am I reacting out of habit? 

This exercise will help you become more connected to your feelings and help you figure out how to better deal with recurring emotional distractions. It’s a first step to how you truly want to feel and be.

Kathleen Taylor tells us about the transformative power of this kind of authenticity.

Click to tweet this: As people step into their authentic selves, they become more courageous. No more bullshit, remember?! Just pure you.

As we’re often so focused on doing the right thing when it comes to communicating our message, I want to encourage you to shift your focus to “being”. Taylor suggests trying this: Think about how you would spend your last day on earth? But instead of doing any of the things on your bucket list, take a hint from the people who are actually spending their last day.

Do some introspection.

Remember: Doing flows out of who you are. If you want to communicate from a place of true authenticity, spend time answering this question: Who am I being with my life?

Those who know the answer to that question are able to express their uniqueness in the world. Let your message be inspired by who you are.
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If you liked this article, sign up for my newsletter. You’ll also receive the rebel manifesto to kick-start your uniqueness. 

I’ve chosen not to have comments on my blog. To share your ideas with me, comment on my Facebook page, or simply write to me. And if you appreciate my work, please share this post by using the social share buttons above this post.

If you would like to have one-on-one direct access to me and dive into discovering your true voice, consider participating in a rebel session for heart-centered entrepreneurs and business owners who desire purpose and profit.
__
photo credit: quinn.anya via photopin cc

The post Stop Bullshitting Yourself appeared first on Communications Rebel.

Mathieu Bitton. Photo by Polina Rabtseva

Creativity is a big part of how you want to approach your communications. People who have worked with me know that I encourage them to defy convention and embrace originality – by tapping into their creativity. I believe Albert Camus who once wrote: “With rebellion, awareness is born.”

As communications rebels we can look in many places to get inspired and fuel creativity. I especially recommend you to turn to musicians, filmmakers, photographers and visual artists for inspiration when it comes to letting your true voice shine in the most creative way.

One artist who has embraced creativity for over 20 years is the brilliant Grammy nominated art director, photographer, director, producer, and designer Mathieu Bitton.

As a great admirer of Bitton’s work and a huge fan of Lenny Kravitz’ music, I simply HAD to attend a special screening of Bitton’s amazing Lenny Kravitz documentary “Looking Back On Love” in Hollywood and draw inspiration from a work of art that brilliantly combines moving images, music, and words.

An interview with Mathieu Bitton: “Real people with real images.”

I was so intrigued by Bitton’s artistic expression that I asked him if he was open to sharing some of his creative genius with my readers. He said YES!

Nina Grenningloh Reyes: I gotta start with the amazing “Looking Back On Love”. In the Q&A after the screening you mentioned that you wanted the viewer to feel like a fly on the wall and make this film as personal and intimate as possible, and stay away from a polished & immaculate look. What influenced your decision to go for that look & feel, and how did it reflect the message of love that Lenny Kravitz wanted to convey?

Mathieu Bitton: It made the message much more real. You can’t fake what you see in this film. Real people within real images. I decided to do it this way so as not to distract the process and artistry.

NGR: At Communications Rebel, I help people express their unique voice. There’s a quote by Seth Godin that I’ve made my motto: “Instead of being scientists the best marketers are artists. They realize that whatever is being sold is being purchased because it creates an emotional want, not because it fills a simple need.” I think we can all learn a lot from musicians, photographers and other artists when it comes to connecting with people on an emotional level. Can you share with my readers how you tap into both your own and your audience’s emotions when working on a project? Does that even happen consciously?

MB: No, I don’t think about it. But I do think about the fact that it has to be the best possible expression. I can’t just do it, I have to overdo it so I know I put in the necessary time. When I work on a design project, make a video or do a photo shoot, I get very immersed in the subject, listening to the music from that artist or that specific project. That always works. And very loud, too.

Q&A with Mathieu Bitton (left) moderated by Leo Quinones of KFWB after Looking Back On Love screening at Arena Cinema in Hollywood

NGR: Your artistic career spans 20+ years as a photography, director & designer. You’ve done a ton of incredible art direction and design for music and film, including album art, posters and logos. You received a Grammy nomination for Best Package/Box design for Jane’s Addiction “Cabinet of Curiosities” in 2008, and the French recently honored you with the highest arts honors, the 2012 medal of Chevalier Dans L’Ordre Des Arts & Lettres. How do you continue to find inspiration on a daily basis?

MB: The nomination was in December 2009 for the 2010 Grammy Awards. And the French award is Knight in the Order of Arts & Letters. An incredible honor. I have so much gratitude for those recognitions. It does help stay on a path to be recognized once in a while. Inspiration comes from so many different places. It can be a single word someone says to me. It can be a bird up in the sky. A sand pattern on the beach. A woman walking by. A sound. Music…etc etc. I have no choice. My brain just never stops.

NGR: You’ve worked with the world’s best artists including Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Sting, Miles Davis, Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Quincy Jones, James Brown, Taylor Swift, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Dolly Parton and many more. Each of these artists is unique and has a very genuine & authentic voice. How do you reconcile an artist’s established brand with a fresh design that moves and inspires people?

MB: Let me clarify. Some of those artists were already dead when I worked on these projects obviously, Miles, Marley, Marvin…. but I try to bring their spirits out. I got to show James Brown a bunch of my designs on his CDs, and he really loved them. That was such an honor for me. Basically, I follow my instinct and blend my aesthetic with their legacy and try to do something contemporary that has not been done before. It’s a wonderful challenge.

Massive thanks to Mathieu Bitton for taking the time and share some of your creative insights. It’s an honor to publish you on Communications Rebel!

If you – dear rebels – feel inspired and want to dig deeper into Bitton’s work, I highly recommend you watch Looking Back On Love, which is available on iTunes. You can find Mathieu Bitton on these exquisite social networks: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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If you liked this article, sign up for my newsletter. You’ll also receive the rebel manifesto to kick-start your uniqueness. To share your ideas with me, comment on my Facebook page, or simply write to me. And if you appreciate my work, please share this post by using the social share buttons above this post.

If you would like to have one-on-one direct access to me and dive into discovering your true voice, consider participating in a rebel session for heart-centered entrepreneurs and business owners who desire purpose and profit.
–

Portrait of Mathieu Bitton by Polina Rabtseva.

The post On Creativity: Drawing Inspiration from Mathieu Bitton appeared first on Communications Rebel.

Yep. This week, I’d like to play with fire a little bit (in a sense) and participate in Chris Guillebeau’s social experiment which is all about helping someone for free. 

I’m helping someone this month [because it's my birthday!]

Chris Guillebeau likes to do social experiments and WDS. Photo: Armosa Studios

Coincidentally, this is also my birthday month and I like to give back as a “thank you to the universe” for all those awesome people that donated to (and will soon donate to) my charity: water birthday campaign. [This is really another story, but if you’re curious: I’m giving up my birthday this year for charity: water and you can donate to my campaign to get clean drinking water to millions of people around the world. Thanks a million! ]

But back to the experiment of helping someone for free. In my last blog post, I wrote about the benefit of press releases in your communications mix. And since a lot of people have had questions about how to write a killer press release and what the best ways are to distribute releases, I’ve decided to write 3 press releases for free.

I’ll write 3 press releases for free

Update: I’ll throw in 1 more FREE press release

Why 3 press releases? Well, because it’s March, the 3^rd month of the year [my birthday month! Yay!]. Also, all good things come in threes. So there you go: 3 free press releases.

As the first 3 free press releases were snapped up in minutes, I’m throwing in 1 more FREE press release. Who wants it? First one to respond gets it!

Here’s how it works:

• I’ll write one release each for 3 businesses (in English or German, your call).
• I throw in 1 additional FREE rebel session for each of the 3 business. A $115 savings.
• You gotta contact me by March 30, 2013 [my birthday!] and ask me to help you. The first 3 people who get in touch me will be in for this sweet deal!

Here’s how to contact me:

• Tweet me this: Hey @ninagrenningloh, can you help me create + distribute a killer press release? #communicationsrebel
• Send me a note using my contact form saying something like this: “Hey Nina, I wanna get in on your experiment of helping someone for free. That someone being me. I need some help with writing an epic press release and put it out in the world. Thanks!”

Can’t wait to hear from you! Can’t wait to help you!

Let’s get started, rebels!
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Photo by Armosa Studios courtesy of Chris Guillebeau under a CC license.

The post Participating in Chris Guillebeau’s Social Experiment appeared first on Communications Rebel.