Using technology and media is not just for the young! As you think about what you would like to share for your idea, whether it will be for profit or for your personal legacy, don’t let the “hows” of your idea get in the way of the “what”. I hate to tell you how many opportunities have slid through my fingers simply because I talked myself out of doing them – based on what others would think of me, or in case would I look stupid if I tried something new. One of the huge advantages of getting a little older is that we become less preoccupied with what other people might think, which frees us up to take more chances to do the things that matter to us! I first set hands on a computer in 1987, on a course was for young mothers to learn to use computers before returning to work. The teacher spent quite a lot of time explaining to us that we would have to work very hard to damage the computer, and so not to be afraid of it. We successfully went on to turn the computers on (with no scary electrical sparks or smells) and then code them to say “Hello” ten times. By today’s standards that was pretty tame for a first class in using a computer, but on that sunny day long ago, it was pretty heady stuff! If I hadn’t gone to that computer class, I wonder how different my life would have been since it began my love affair with technology?
Using Technology and Media
So without further ado, here are a few ways of using technology and media that could bring your project to life:
- Start a blog – if you like to write, or have encyclopedic knowledge that you’ll never get written as a book, start by writing a little every day. You can sort your posts by “categories” so you can go back later and build on a topic. If you are concerned about who might see what is in your blog, you can keep your blog private, or give access to only those with a password.
- Display your photos or art – if you have a huge catalog of images, they can be scanned and then added to a website. As with a blog, you can sort them by categories so you – or others – can find specific images very easily. Again, they can be private, password protected, or public.
- Publish a book – take what you have written down and have stored away in closets and boxes. You can buy just one copy for your own satisfaction, or buy a few to share with friends and family (the cost per copy to authors is usually $2-3 per copy) or let the book out to the world.
- Create information products – there are several options here:
- Write down your information and offer access to it for a subscription fee
- Create an ebook to sell with slightly less information in it to sell as a stand alone product or as an entry point to bigger products
- Create an audio course and offer it as a download – or on CD for those who prefer a tangible product
- Become a consultant on your topic – by selling it to those who have purchased earlier and less specific materials
- Create an online course – you teach the material either in person on video or as a slide show with voice over
- Sell your photographs or artwork directly from your secured site
- Sell your photographs or artwork printed on other materials
- Create a photo book or iPad book to display your artistry
- Create your own audio or video recording to sell or enjoy
Before you let any objections creep in, know that all the technology exists to do these things online. Some tasks are easier to do than others, but there is always help available to get the information from your head and out into the world. In addition to building websites I have helped create CDs, built paid membership sites, built a consulting business, created both text and image books, uploaded images to appear on products for sale, and assisted in marketing the end products, so am confident I can help you, too! Now it is time to start thinking what would be the best way to get your knowledge, memories, art, music, and stories out of your head and out to those who would enjoy sharing them with you. Click on the picture below to go to a page to let me know when it would be convenient for you to talk with me. I look forward to hearing from you!
