Small Business Today Magazine MAR 2015 IMPACT STONE DESIGN | Page 33
EDITORIALFEATURE
You Need an Army Mobilizing
Others to Action
By Aimee Woodall
T
he pictures started showing up in a trickle,
then a flood. Image after image of smiling
faces, all inspired by what was behind them,
started pouring in from all across Houston.
Large-scale mural project, the GIVE Wall series,
was born out of a need to get people to get out
and support worthy causes in the community,
and the only way to do that is with assistance.
In short, you need an army mobilizing others to
action.
As business owners, we all wear a lot of
hats. We’re producing work, making deals, operating a company, creating in-depth strategies, and
handling everything in-between. Sometimes this
gives us the idea that the only way to work is solo.
It’s not; not by a long shot! To be successful when
launching a movement, stirring a cause or causing
a stir, you need a great team, some go-to people,
and a stellar network. .
Don’t be an Island
John Donne said, “No man is an island. Every
man is a piece of the continent, a part of the
main.” Think of this as both your calling and your
wake-up call. It takes more than two to tango and
the steps you take affect the other dancer and the
dance. When trying to make a big change in your
community, start with the people that live there
and get them involved.
Crazy or Connected
One man standing alone with a plumed hat is a
crazy person. One man with a plumed hat and
a bunch of friends with instruments is a marching
band. When it’s just you, it can be hard to get the
momentum you need to get your project off the
ground. Connection + crazy ideas = success.
Each GIVE Wall has inspired
a new audience in Houston;
some because they were
following along and some
just because they happened to
drive by the location.
And because they were
moved to action, they
started sharing.
sure to think through the ways that make it easy
for people to participate. With the GIVE Walls,
people were given a quick elevator pitch and social posts to repurpose and share, complete with
a hashtag to get everyone connected.
Bring it to the Masses
Now that your core network is on board, it’s time
to launch like a baby bird! Your project needs to
use its own wings to fly. Let it. By mobilizing the
public in putting their own personal spin on your
idea, it becomes bigger; much bigger.
Each GIVE Wall has inspired a new audience
in Houston; some because they were following
along and some just because they happened to
drive by the location. And because they were
moved to action, they started sharing. They
took photos, they tweeted to their friends, they
challenged others to give back, and all that was
done in the beginning was the building of the notso-blank canvas to say what was already in their
heads and hearts.
They made it art.
Find a Megaphone…or Ten!
Amplify your efforts; start by talking to those in
your network. Who do you know that’s interested in the causes you care about? Once you get
a handful of loud voices in your corner, turn them
loose with the tools they need to succeed. Make
Aimee Woodall is the owner of the Black Sheep Agency, a Houston-based strategic branding agency specializing in cause-driven
marketing, public relations, social media, and community outre X