We recently connected with Marc Fort and have shared our conversation below.

Marc, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Almost every job I’ve ever had has involved a large amount of writing and communication skills: journalism for newspapers and magazines, advertising copy, writing for monthly newsletters, writing band bios & blogs, ghost writing for CEOs and board chairs, etc.

It’s almost become a cliché, but I had to put my writing out in the world – and *fail multiple times* – before I built up the skills and experience wherein my professional writing reached the level of professionalism that I desired. There’s a fine line I had to walk: looking backwards just enough to learn from mistakes … while not dwelling on my misfires … so I could constantly move forward to perfect the next attempt. Working as a journalist at daily newspapers was great training, because I had to crank out a new article the very next day; I didn’t have time to feel defeated by a mistake, or something not being 100% perfect in retrospect as I was continually learning my craft.

Taking creative risks are essential, while also learning what works and what doesn’t (what’s resonating with audiences and what isn’t). And ultimately having a mentor (in the workplace, or beyond) who can provide honest, constructive feedback has been critical … elevating my professional writing and communication skills.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve worked as a creative writer and storyteller for more than 30 years. I began telling stories as a photojournalist for daily newspapers and magazines, including The Daily Texan, The Denver Post, and the Austin American-Statesman. While studying as an undergrad English major at UT Austin, I switched from working in photojournalism (in my work outside of school) to journalism, becoming the youngest staff arts & entertainment reporter in the Austin American-Statesman’s century-plus history. I loved and still love photojournalism, but I ultimately wanted to focus on telling stories with words.

I took a career left-turn leaving print media to work as a full-time musician in indie rock bands for almost 15 years (still writing as a side-hustle tho: from freelance work to bios and blogs for bands). Then after my bands become less active with full-time touring, I moved back to normal 9-5 work with an apprenticeship at Austin Film Society, and later as the Marketing & Communications Specialist for the Texas Music Office … and I’m currently working as the Marketing & Communications Manager for HAAM (the Heath Alliance for Austin Musicians).

Some of my recent work I’m proud of has been telling the often very emotional healthcare journey stories of Austin-area musicians, both in written communications and via short videos. HAAM provides affordable access to health and wellness care for Austin’s low-income, working musicians. And finding a way to communicate why the nonprofit is so critical to the city’s world-renown music culture is part of my daily work.

Helping donors, both big corporations and individuals, understand that their charitable giving to HAAM is essential to providing the soundtrack of their lives … and keeping the musicians & DJs healthy – who make Austin the “live music capital of the world” – is my daily grind!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

HAAM’s laser-focused mission to assist Austin-area musicians with health and wellness care lives and dies by the quality of care we provide … and ultimately by our word of mouth referrals and testimonials from the musicians & DJs we serve. Like so many nonprofits, we don’t have the marketing budgets of for-profit corporations. We rely on Austin-area musicians to testify at the top of their lungs to their bandmates and to the world. Our staff of social workers and healthcare navigators provide “white glove” service to everyone who walks through the door, whether their band is super popular, or whether the musicians are at the beginning of their career, just building up a following.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

My personal mission within my work is to have HAAM’s marketing & communications reflect the great diversity of our city’s creative community. In the early days of our organization, there was a long-held anecdotal belief that HAAM was an organization for (white) male singer-songwriters with a guitar. In all of my visual and written communications, I always consider the thousands of female, non-binary, black, Latino, Asian, etc. artists – of *all* genres – in the Greater Austin community because I want them to see themselves in our organization’s communications. I want them to know that despite the messages from our government and our courts that latently and overtly tell them they are not welcome or valued … I want our community to know that at HAAM, we value their unique perspectives, their culture, their craft, their diverse backgrounds, and their health & wellness … which allows them to focus on being an artist while taking healthcare worries off their plate. Giving them one less thing to worry about.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://myhaam.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhaam/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myhaam/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/health-alliance-for-austin-musicians/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/myhaam
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@myhaam

Image Credits
BCA818FC-5A0C-4B35-A044-9D50AF2353F0.jpg – photo by Stacey Lovett ribboncutting.jpg – photo by Jake Rabin haamribboncuttingfinals – photos by Jake Rabin masculturaevent_1704408382456.jpg – photo by Laura Skelding