Writing a blog isn’t a mystery. It’s a process. However, most people will overcomplicate that process for the sake of getting fast results. I’m here to tell you that there is no magical formula that will instantly increase traffic to your blog or even improve the overall quality of your content. Instead, I want to use this opportunity to reinforce basic strategies and philosophies that will help simplify your blog writing process.
 
Create an Editorial Calendar
 
Over the years, I’ve experimented with a multitude of strategies to write blogs.  No matter what I tried, I would encounter the same problem over and over again. One of the major faults I had early on was I overanalyzed every step of the process. Before I could even get an idea on the page, my mind would go off into a million different directions, and before you know it, I had lost two or three hours just thinking about something that would never come to fruition.
 
Things changed when I discovered how to use an editorial calendar. Using the editorial format, I could easily plan my writing around themes. Mainly, I chose to focus on holidays or celebrations during a specific month that were relevant to my industry or the services I provided. Once the calendar was filled out with ideas, I no longer spent hours trying to concoct the perfect blog post out of thin air. I simply referred to the calendar, chose a theme and focused all my time on putting pen to paper.
 
In essence, writing a blog post revolves around having a great time management system in place. The less thinking you have to do, the more you optimize productivity and encourage those creative juices to flow without inhibition.
 
Create a Keyword List
 
One of my favorite ways to start the blog writing process is to create a keyword list. Much like the editorial calendar, I use the Google Keyword Planner to generate ideas for a blog post. More specifically, I use the keyword planner to identify questions that I can answer for my audience. For example, I typed in the search terms “blog writing” and a series of questions flooded the results page. From these results, I can gather that the average person searching on Google in my area is stumped on where to start their blog writing process. Once I have an indication of what those pain-points are, I can provide solutions that are timely and relevant to advancing their personal or business goals.
 
Moreover, the keyword planner lays out the best SEO terms to use. If you are serious about ranking higher in organic search results, I’d take a few of these terms and sprinkle them into your blog post. I wouldn’t go ballistic with the list of terms and phrases provided to you. I believe relying too heavily on this will lead to keyword stuffing, which comes off as inauthentic and will steer people away from your site.  Needless to say, as you advance, it will become easier to incorporate keyword terms into your writing process and avoid those common pitfalls.
 
I’d recommend the keyword planner feature in Google Adwords to anyone who is writing blog posts for the first time. It’s free, simple to use and will remove much of the guest work until you become a pro at developing content ideas on your own.
 
The Question & Answer Method
 
When I was growing up, I read a ton of sports magazines. I particularly enjoyed when the writer did exclusive features on elite athletes or prominent figures within the basketball world. However, I would often stop midway through reading these feature stories because they were too long.  This forced me to seek out stories that catered to my reading style.
 
Naturally, I found that the Q & A features satisfied that need. I was able to follow along easily with the story and highlight the sections of the interview that interested me the most. Fast forward several years later and I thought to myself “What if I could reverse engineer this process to write stories myself?”.  Obviously, there is nothing revolutionary about this realization, but it was a key turning point in how I approached writing.
 
I think the Q & A style of preparing your blog post is a time-effective strategy. I say this because it truly narrows your focus by asking questions that elevate the value of your content to the reader. I’d recommend at least 3-5 questions you can separate into themes that relate back to the central idea of your blog post. Once those questions are defined, you simply pull together thoughts or research that support the point you are trying to make. However, if you choose this method, I wouldn’t worry too much about structure yet. That will come once you’ve gathered all the information needed to start the writing process.
 
In short, this method really helps to isolate the sexiest parts of your blog post. That is, pulling out those central ideas first will help you gain a bird eyes view of how to structure the content and write it more fluidly.
 
Find a Rhythm: Pencil in a Time to Write
 
There is a school of thought out there that says you cannot schedule inspiration. I would have to agree with that sentiment. However, I strongly believe you can optimize productivity and creative output by prioritizing when you write.
 
Cal Newport, author of Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, argues that gaining proficiency at any new skill is a direct result of how well you are able to concentrate on a given task and execute it with minimal outside interference. He summed up this principle perfectly: “To learn hard things quickly, you must focus intensely without distraction.” Again, this isn’t earth-shattering news, but it is simple advice that could have tremendous impact on your content marketing efforts.
 
Needless to say, the exact same philosophy applies to writing your blog post. I’d recommend choosing a day of the week or specific time you can consistently set aside to push you through each phase of the writing process. For example, you might want to use Monday to brainstorm your topic, Wednesday to create an outline and Friday to write a first draft.  The goal is to break the process down and make incremental strides toward completing your blog post.
 
Above all, it’s about establishing a rhythm. Once you stick to a schedule, writing will become second nature and you’ll be able to crank out content more efficiently.
 
Kill the Inner-Critic
 
Let’s face it – no one will ever be a perfect writer. Some will excel at it better than others, but they’ll never be immaculate. That said, there are things you can do to do produce the best version of your writing every time. 
 
In college, we were taught to follow a very simple formula – Write. Edit. Rewrite. I believed in this formula and practiced it religiously. However, the second step in this process often slowed me down. Depending on length of the essay or research paper, I would concentrate too much on the details. Part of the problem stemmed from perfectionism; I would procrastinate until I wrote something that was absolutely flawless. A misplaced semicolon here. A wrong word spelled there. It seemed the more I sweated over the minutia, the longer it took me to complete my work.
 
Now a more seasoned writer, I’m wise enough to avoid these conventions. In the last few years, I’ve learned to silence the inner-critic that insists on tearing down my writing.  Trial and error have taught me progress trumps perfection every single time. I say this because writing quality content is a process, but you don’t want to extend that process any longer than it has to be. Otherwise, you’ll get stuck in one place and lose the desire to publish your work.
 
To build momentum, put some thoughts on the page first, then go back and sculpt out the best ideas that arise from each subsequent version you edit. Afterwhile, you’ll begin to notice that your ideas mature quicker and the blog writing process takes less time to complete.
 
 
Hire a Freelance Copywriter
 
As I’ve said time and time again, writing for your blog is a time-consuming process. If you are unable to apply the advice above for yourself, then it is time to divest that responsibility to a freelancer copywriter. According to Demand Metric, 62 % of companies now outsource their content marketing. Moreover, of the work outsourced, 64 % percent tends to be for writing purposes. Clearly, the numbers show outsourcing talent for this type of work will be the blueprint for business success in the future.
 
I propose the freelance copywriter option for two reasons. First, the amount of technical knowledge and skill required to master this area can seem like an insurmountable hurdle to the newly initiated. While it can be exciting to learn a new skill, the reality is most business owners or leadership executives don’t have the time to commit to such a demanding task.  Indeed, the better route would be to delegate that responsibility to someone with the expertise to manage that aspect of the business separately.
 
On the other hand, I think hiring a freelancer is a cost-effective solution. Depending on the project, you could hire the freelancer to work on an as-needed basis. In my view, this strategy makes sense because it not only gives you an opportunity to evaluate the freelancer’s output on a gradual scale, but also determine the long-term viability of the relationship. This way, the freelancer’s pay is directly tied to what he or she produces. Nothing more, nothing less.  As a result, the freelancer will be incentivized to hone in on specific tasks or assignments for the project while staying on budget.
 
All in all, I think hiring a freelance copywriter is a solid investment. As long as clear expectations are set by both parties on what needs to be done and compensation, then the relationship will flourish and your blog will get the attention it deserves.
 

If there is one thing you will learn about me, it is that I can’t live without podcasts. Since I consider myself to be a life-learner, I find that listening to podcasts fit easily into my on-the-go lifestyle and allow me to consume my favorite content any time I want. As a result, I am able to expand my knowledge base and apply what I’ve learned to the challenges that confront me on a daily basis. In the same way, I think finding podcasts that touch on pain-points or real-world problems can be an invaluable resource for you and the health of your business. That said, I wanted to share with you my top four podcasts for 2018.
 
 
This Old Marketing: Content Marketing with Pulizzi and Rose
 
When I started to dive into content marketing seriously, I use to listen to This Old Marketing all the time. Every week the two host, Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose, hold discussions about the latest trends in the content marketing world. As a novice, I found it helpful to get a broad view of the major trends that were dominating the content marketing space. In hindsight, the advice I gained from this podcast was instrumental in majority of projects I secured in my first year. It helped me educate clients on “big picture” ideas and get them excited about the future!
 
However, I’m sad to say that the This Old Marketing is no longer an active podcast in 2018. The duo recorded their final episode last December. Although the show may have reached an end, Joe and Robert left behind an archive filled with rich material for anyone serious about getting ahead with their content marketing this year. That is, no matter where you stand in the process, be it a beginner or seasoned vet, This Old Marketing has something to offer to you.
 
 
The GaryVee Audio Experience
 
Gary Vaynerchuk is one of my favorite entrepreneurs, YouTube personalities and all-around human beings. What I like most about the Gary Vee Audio Experience is how in depth he goes on a myriad of topics. From a content marketing perspective, he tackles a load of high-level topics such as the science of going viral or building a personal brand on your favorite social media network. More importantly, Gary isn’t afraid to get personal. He openly talks about advice he has followed in his lifetime that has brought him tremendous success and soul-crushing failure. I appreciate him for his authenticity and I think you will too.
 
If you are an up-and-coming entrepreneur or content marketer, you’ll definitely want to add the GaryVee Audio Experience to your podcast list.  Given Gary’s long entrepreneurial history, he is able to speak authoritatively and unapologetically about the real, the fake and the super dumb in the digital marketing industry. Moreover, he’s not going to you give you a bunch of academic theories or regurgitated opinions that might work. To the contrary, he provides real-life examples that have been successful, dissects them and articulates the reasons why they get results.
 
Above all, Gary will say some real sh#% from time to time that will motivate you to get off your ass and get stuff done. He’s that friend you hate talking to because he doesn’t have a filter, but you respect him because he’s not going to sugarcoat the truth. I don’t know about you, but I tend to do better in life when there are people around that are willing to have those uncomfortable conversations.
 
Either way, there’s loads of life and business lessons that can be applied from his wisdom. Don’t take it for granted.
 
 
 The Janet Murray Show
 
I discovered The Janet Murray Show in early 2017. The timing couldn’t be more perfect as I was starting to do some serious media relations work for my clients. At the time, I had very specific questions and this podcast seemed to have all the answers. For instance, I learned everything from how to pitch TV producers to building relationships with influencers for campaigns. Indeed, Janet demystifies much of the hype around PR and simplifies the content in each episode so that it is digestible and easy to follow.
 
For that reason, I’d be remiss not to recommend The Janet Murray Show. Specifically, I think this is great for small business owners who don’t have much time or the manpower to execute a media relations plan. Not only are the episodes short and sweet, but the advice she gives isn’t difficult to implement. Moreover, Janet has expanded the show into the digital marketing arena. Before she focused solely on PR, but she recently changed the name and subject matter of the show to reflect the diverse taste and interest of her audience.
 
Needless to say, publicity for your business won’t come without some trial and error, but if you are serious about unleashing the power of PR for your business, then this podcast has to be in your top five before the end of 2018.
 
Snap Judgement
 
Snap Judgement is an outlier on this list; it doesn’t offer any technical advice or industry insights like you’ve come to expect. Despite this fact, it has mastered one aspect better than any other podcast I’ve come across – great storytelling.
 
Essentially, each episode boils down two or three amazing stories of people who have been through the most unusual circumstances in the world and have lived to tell it.  As you dive into each individual story, you’ll begin to relive those moments with the person and feel deeply connected to them in a way you haven’t felt with most human beings. That is, the stories are so organic and raw that they tap into a very tribal part of the soul that is hard to find in today’s busy world. Due to the stellar sound production and conversational style of the show, you’ll walk away thinking “Damn, my life is boring as f$#@!”.

All fun and games aside, I recommend this podcast because it can teach you how to sell a great story. Glenn Washington, who is the main host and narrator for the show, does a great job getting you pumped for the journey you are about to embark on with the subject. At the beginning of each episode, he hooks the audience with a lot enthusiasm and vivid imagery. In the real world, landing a story in the media today is a combination of creativity, experience and timing. For small business owners and entrepreneurs, learning how to write great hooks for your stories can be a rewarding experience if you invest time in the research and delivering the pitch to the right people.
 
I’d advise listening to the show a couple times a week if not to generate ideas than to be entertained. The more creative and enthusiastic you are, the better results you get overtime.
 
At any rate, I hope one of these podcasts brings some value to your life. They’ve definitely been good to me and opened my eyes to new ways I can approach my profession. 

Have a podcast you want to brag on in 2018? Don't be stingy. Share!

It’s 2018 and the New Year brings an abundance of opportunities for those seeking to hit the reset button on life. This year I’ve challenged myself to dream bigger than ever have. I want to take more risks. I want to try new things. I want to be the master of my own fate. Now that I’m 25 years old, time has become more valuable to me and I feel obligated to maximize every ounce of it.

On these terms, I expect this year to be fruitful for my freelance career. 2017 was a litmus test, a trial of my commitment and learning the new landscape. I was new to the city and hungry to prove that I was more than another friendly face in the crowd, but someone who could contribute to the city’s vibrant culture, even if in a small way.

On the other hand, I freelance with deep conviction. Over the last few years, Millennials have been branded as entitled and lazy. Some believe the concept of hard work is foreign to our generation while others have dismissed us as helpless infants that lack the will to survive. In some ways, I chose to become a freelancer for that very reason: it is the ultimate rebuke of passivity and victimization. If you don’t work, then you don’t eat - It’s that simple. Above all, it is a bold statement of independence, discipline and creativity that opens the door to a more fulfilling life.

​But it won’t be easy, not by a long shot.

So, in the spirit of fresh starts, here are five goals I have as a freelancer in 2018.

Strategic Vision: A Ladder to Success
When I first began freelancing, I had no idea where it would lead. All I knew is that the cost of living in Charlotte, North Carolina was high and I needed a side hustle to supplement what seemed like a vanishing income. Put simply, it was either hustle or fall behind.

However, I knew hustle could only get me so far. I lacked any serious game plan for the future. My vision was blurry, and therefore, I was content with whatever hand the universe dealt me. Today, that is not the case. My roadmap, albeit not perfect, is clear and purposeful; I know who I want to work with, what I want to do and why I’m doing it.

In short, I think the Dali Lama hit the nail on the head when he said, “In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.” I can’t explain it in words, but I’m driven by something deeper, almost spiritual in nature, that assures my future in this business will be nothing short of prosperous in 2018.

Passion for Projects: A New Business Currency
More often than not, my clients tend to be small business owners or nonprofits with limited budgets, but great stories to tell. These clients often get overlooked because they can’t afford to rub shoulders with some of the larger agencies in the city, which is upsetting to say the least. Nevertheless, I see this as an opportunity to fill a huge void and provide a different kind of service.

Fortunately, money isn’t everything to a freelancer. Every now and again, we exchange time for a chance to work on a passion project. Passion projects are usually a worthy cause or partnership with a well-respected organization that we stand behind. The reward might be gaining experience in a specific industry, a seat at the shareholder’s table or learning a new skill.  In return, the chosen organization gets a valued service that isn’t otherwise available to them. It’s a win-win!

I’ve written a list of organizations I hope to work with this year. With a bit of luck and hard work, I’ll get a chance to do some meaningful projects in 2018.

Write Already: Blogging the Memory
Writing is my first love. Yet, I rarely spend time publishing content that reflects my own personal views and opinions. Part of the problem stems from uncertainty about what to write and the other half nagging perfectionism, both of which have sent years of creative ideas down the drain. Furthermore, my writing is too self-centered. Until this point, I’ve only written about things that interest me. I’ve been trapped in a comfort zone, afraid to venture beyond what I know. While this is satisfying to my ego, it adds little value to the lives of my clients and their business.

In 2018, the goal is to blog more for my online community. Primarily, I will accomplish this through publishing content more consistently throughout the year. Content quality is my highest priority, but I want to increase the frequency at which I publish content to win the long race. To that end, I’ve set my mind to follow a system that allows me to publish blog posts in regular intervals and track results each quarter.

Moreover, I plan to churn out a mixture of long-form and short-form posts to keep things fresh. Since I have a background in academic research, my writing tends to favor depth and analysis. However, the idea is to present information in a variety of ways to keep my readers engaged. After all, blogging is a game of adaptation; the more I learn my reader’s preferences, the better the content will be.

At any rate, I’m going to blog because it’s what I know best. I’ve always enjoyed writing purely out of pleasure. Now, I can do it to help others overcome whatever challenges they have in their business or lives.

The Freelance Fumble: Networking in a Contact Sport
At times, freelancing can be a lonely endeavor. Countless hours are devoted to working on projects, leaving very little time to socialize. And yet, the freelancer’s success depends on finding clients that need his services. While it would be great to have my pipeline fill itself with inbound leads, the reality is that freelancing is a contact sport where personal relationships in the real world still matter.

Due to its incredible growth and attractive business opportunities, Charlotte is the perfect place to make new contacts. During my first few months in the city, I signed up to attend free local events that caught my interest. While I met loads of nice people in the process, I failed to make one single relationship. After careful self-evaluation, I concluded that this happened because I lacked the intention, or any real desire for that matter, to promote the services I offered. From sloppy sales pitches to leaving my business cards at home, I was grossly underprepared to sell my value to prospects.
​
But I’ve seen the error of my ways. Going forward, I intend to network with more purpose in 2018. Instead of going on a whim, I will attend events based on criteria such as industry relevance or group interest to increase my chances of meeting the right prospects face-to-face. That way, I can build long-term relationships with people whose lives my services impact.

Video Marketing: Storytelling with Perspective
One of the hottest content marketing trends right now is point-of-view storytelling. Nowadays, online users use an array of sophisticated tools and techniques to tell stories that reveal the most intimate parts of their lives whilst promoting a professional brand.

I can think of two names that embody this trend: Gary Vaynerchuck and Grant Cardone. On the one hand, Vaynerchuck is a hardcore content marketer and motivational speaker who is brutally honest about what it takes to survive in the business world. On the other hand, Cardone is a savvy sales trainer and millionaire playboy that relishes the good life. Despite vastly different personalities, these two have successfully leveraged the power of perspective to sell their stories to audiences.

After repeated visits to their channels, I thought to myself “Why can’t I do this?”. Sure, I may not have millions of dollars, but I have a story. The goal in 2018 isn’t to self-promote. Instead, I would like to share video content that not only reflects the quality of my professional brand, but the depth of my character and the values that I live by. I think people will appreciate the sincerity of my opinions and the uniqueness of the ideas I present.
 
Obviously, the road ahead will be a long one. But as the old Chinese proverb profoundly states: “the journey of thousand leagues begins with a single step.” Indeed, this will be the first positive step in a new direction. Not only am I optimistic that my freelance business will prosper, but that I will grow as a person and contribute something meaningful in 2018.

​Are you looking for a freelance PR & Marketing consultant in Charlotte? Look no further than https://www.christopherj150.com/

Love knows no bounds. Kobe Bryant’s illustrious 20-year career in the NBA attests to that fact. For nearly two decades, Bryant obsessed over the game, pouring his heart and soul into one of the most tumultuous marriages any artist could have with their craft. His sacrifice did not go unnoticed. To the contrary, the basketball gods rewarded him not with accolades and adulation, but immortality.

Still, father time is uncompromising, and even the brightest of stars will burn out eventually. Indeed, Bryant’s love affair with the game ended in a supernova-esque flash.

But, even the immortal can’t defy the basic laws of physics. That is, like most forms of energy, passion doesn’t simply disappear into the darkness; it must be converted.

During the proverbial third act, most elite athletes settle for farewell tours, analyst gigs or a comfortable seat in the corporate office of their beloved franchise, but Bryant was secretly building his own world. A world created in his own image. A world he named “Canvas City: Musecage”. In this imaginary world, Bryant insists that no rock be left unturned to find motivation, whether it be good or bad, for virtually any challenge in life. To clarify, he released a statement that laid out his vision for the project:

“Canvas City: Musecage helps others better their best by delivering complex basketball insights in a light-hearted, easy-to-digest way. The show helps others understand the game at a higher level and offers a new voice to sports storytelling that will hopefully captivate the whole family.”

Easy-to-digest? Maybe. Light-hearted? Well, that’s another conversation completely. Nevertheless, the central thread that tied it all together was storytelling.

“The best way to inspire is through story”, said Bryant in an interview at the Tribeca Film Festival. “It tends to sink in more.”

Indeed, Mr. Bryant. Stories tend have a lasting effect on all of us, especially when a visual component is thrown into the equation. As a matter of fact, 80 percent of customers remember a video they’ve watched recently.

Matt Bowman, owner of Thrive Internet Marketing and Forbes Contributor, believes there’s a perfectly logical explanation behind this idea.

“One of the biggest strengths of video marketing is that its highly visual and auditory”, he wrote. “When customers remember your brand video marketing content, they also remember your brand, which translates to more sales and leads for you.”

Musecage isn’t a hard sell to your wallet. Rather, Bryant sells the idea that he is legitimate storyteller with valuable content to share with his audience. Therein, lies the true beauty of content marketing.

That said, I want to share three valuable insights I learned from Musecage that might serve as sources of inspiration to help your video marketing stand out in the future.

1-Unique Perspective. Since his youth, Kobe Bryant has been a student of the game, studying countless hours of film to increase his knowledge and capacity for acquiring new skills. As he matured into a NBA superstar, he relied heavily on film analysis to pick apart opposing teams and strengthen his on-court performance. More so, Bryant’s excruciating attention to detail and an eclectic body of knowledge is what gave him the competitive advantage; that is, a nuanced understanding of NBA rules, human psychology and even business made his approach to the game more like a chess match than basketball. Thus, a unique perspective combined with an exceptional basketball IQ elevated him above his peers.

Simple as it may seem, that unique perspective convinced Kevin Wildes, Vice President of Original Content at ESPN, to take a chance on Musecage. “The guy looks at the game totally different than everybody else”, said Wildes. “It’s an inspiring project that has a strong point of view. It’s unlike anything that we’ve seen in the basketball space.”

In the same way, Musecage caught my attention because Bryant adds depth to an otherwise superficial experience; he opens the vault to his inner-most thoughts and forces us to re-imagine the game at a level beyond bells and whistles. Once inside, it’s impossible to look basketball the same again.

Lesson:
I believe perspective is the separating factor between brands that produce high-quality content and build loyal audiences. Stories are told from multiple angles. The key is finding the angle most relevant to the desired audience and putting a personal spin on it so that it shakes up an existing industry paradigm or creates a new one completely. Of course, this easier said than done, but can be achieved over time with dedication and patience.
 
2-Narration. Along similar lines, narration is instrumental to the storytelling process. In fact, I would I argue that it’s one of the most undervalued tools when it comes to video marketing. Needless to say, Musecage illustrates just how effective this strategy is in bringing a story to life.

Clearly, to get his message across in each video, Bryant must use his voice to actively help the viewer reach the story’s conclusion. To that end, he adopts several roles – teacher, coach, mentor and even guru – to add a more personalized touch to his narration style. As such, the viewer becomes more engaged with the content because Bryant is essentially wrapping his arm around them to share his wisdom, almost the same way a master imparts knowledge to his pupil.

Even more, Bryant is tasked with converting elite-level concepts into content that is palatable to his audience. “It was the hardest thing to write”, he said. “I have to communicate these very high-level schemes in a way that’s very easily digestible.” Fortunately, this problem is countered because Bryant uses layman terms that help the viewer grasp the concepts laid forth and reach a pre-defined conclusion in each lesson. By doing so, the audience isn’t pressured to understand the game, but rather feel invited to participate in lessons that expand “the conversation beyond basketball”.

Lesson:
In my opinion, narration is key to helping brands tell their stories more actively. Foremost, a unique voice and narration style color-coats content in a way that trademarks brand perspective. As Musecage shows, not only does Kobe Bryant’s all-star pedigree lend credibility to his voice, but grants him a certain privilege within the sports storytelling space to challenge or rewrite narratives in his own words. Likewise, brands that occupy respected positions in their industries or communities can leverage their influence to invert conventional wisdom and shape important conversations that pertain to their customers.
 
 3-Animation. From a production standpoint, Bryant went to great lengths to infuse his own childhood memories into the animation of Musecage. Everything from Sesame Street to Fantasia were said to have been major influences on the superstar’s creative process.

Still, Bryant mediated deeply on the question of how to bring those forces together into one singular focus. “If I had a show that my kids could watch and learn how to better their best, what would that entail?”, Bryant wondered. “It would entail songs. It would entail animation, puppetry, comedy and a lot of visual representations of things they should be learning.”

One way or another, Bryant harmonized all these elements into his production. Each video runs under a unique theme, and therefore is assigned an array of colorful graphics that embellish the story. For example, Bryant’s first video entitled “Guarding the Greats” opens with retro video game graphics to set the tone. Further into the video, Bryant psychoanalyses the scoring habits of Lebron James, which he pitches to the audience as an eighties late-night fitness commercial. While he explains each of Lebron’s signature moves, words written in psychedelic font pop out on the screen to some groovy music in the background. These elements stacked on top of one another add greater entertainment value to what would be an otherwise dry analysis. Altogether, he still manages to hit the mark while riding a delicate balance between amusement and educating the audience.

Lesson:
Obviously, animation isn’t anything new, but with the proliferation of online tools and resources, more people can learn how to use it. That said, as brands become more sophisticated, I suspect that they’ll have teams of content creators which include video assistants and designers that are adept at collaborating to create animation graphics for various projects. Even for smaller businesses, there are talented freelancers that specialize in these areas and could do the work at an affordable price. Moreover, if engagement is a top priority for these brands, then animation will surely be an indispensable part of their video marketing strategy.
 
For now, only time will tell whether Musecage sticks around or falls into the graveyard of ideas that had potential. But, one thing is for certain – Kobe Bryant has left us with a template for converting passion into valuable content for those who enjoy visual storytelling. Now, it’s up to us to determine what we do with it.
 
Well folks, that’s my cue!