You can’t build on something if you don’t have something. The beauty of 1.0

Posted September 25, 2006
Filed under: General, Membership, Online Fundraising |

Raise you hand if you are a perfectionist. 

 

Yeah, I am too.  And occasionally it really gets in my way when trying to start a new venture.

 

This afternoon I was going through blogs, procrastinating about getting started on a new project, and I came across a short podcast called, First-time Sex & the Beauty of 1.0 from Merlin Mann, author of 43folders.com a blog on personal productivity.

 

It was just the thing I needed to hear today; that spending a lot of time trying to make a product or project perfect the first time, usually leads to nothing of consequence, except a lot of time spent in meetings with no end result.  Instead Mann contends, if you focus on creating that initial version, 1.0, concentrating on just getting through it the first time, at least you have something.  And you can worry about adding on to it and making it better later on. Whether a plan of action, a product, or whatever.

 

You can’t build on something if you don’t have something.  It’s a victory to just have it go OK the first time.

 

Within the virtual walls of DEI, and at the IMA,  a small group of membership pro’s are starting to talk next week about the “Future of Membership” with the goal of creating an end product to share with the wider public radio system to help manage the oncoming waves of data and new expectations of membership as broadcasting continues towards multi-platform delivery, all the while keeping in mind public service.

 

We have to get started somewhere.  We need to originate a 1.0.  It won’t be perfect, but at least the conversation is happening and I’m looking forward to sharing the outcome and getting your feedback.  In the meantime, take a listen to the podcast, and think about your next 1.0.  Is it e-renewals, or online-sponsorships, or making a plan to better utilize member data?  Don’t try to get it perfect, just get it started.

 

Ok now I am really getting to work.

 

-Melanie Coulson,  DEI & Independent Advisor for Membership & Online Fundraising

1 Comment so far

  1. Robin Turnau, VP Development, Vermont Public Radio on September 28, 2006

    Melanie-
    Way to go! You’re right on when it comes to the “Just Do It” mantra. Whether it’s e-renewals, a planned giving promotion, a major giving club, whatever is needed that uses technology, people and money well to increase revenue for stations, go for it! And, there’s no need to re-invent anything these days. There are step-by-step best-practice instructions on how to do it all, either at the DEI website, the PRADO archives, or at the AFP website (Association of Fundraising Professionals) among many others! 1.0 is the place to start, and there’s always room for improvement.

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