We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michelle Wright a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Michelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.
Michelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
How I got into journalism and communications? Well, that’s an interestingly simple story. When I was in high school my father told me to find something I love to do, and then do it, and when I got paid, it’d be like a bonus. And I thought “well, that’s a great idea, but I love watching TV, and I love finding things out and then telling people about what I learned or found out, I’m not sure how that’s going to turn into me making a living”. But then when I began looking at colleges, I noticed many of them had Communications programs… and I thought “I can major in Radio and Television! What? This is perfect”. And that’s what started me on my career. I attended Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York because they had an AMAZING Radio and Television program that also included an internship component. I graduated with a BA in Communications Radio/TV/Film and a job working at Radio Station in their news department. I love news, because at it’s core it’s finding stuff out and telling people about it… exactly what I wanted to do in High School. However after over 2 and half decades in the news business, I’m noticing a shift. So, still looking to chase what I love, I launched Wright Choice Media, my own communications company where I can tell people’s stories through things like writing press releases, doing custom targeted interviews, hosting events for causes I connect to and I’m passionate about. Also though publishing travel videos where I go to locations and find key things out about that location then tell people all about it. :-)
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
When I first started my company, I wanted to focus on helping non-profits and not-for-profits get the word out about the good they are doing so more people could chip in and help or donate. It’s my firm belief that people will help if they know about a product or service that they connect with. However, what I realized is that most non-profits and not-for-profits don’t act quickly when there is a decision that needs to be made. This was not helpful, when you’re trying to launch a business and you have people who like your ideas, but aren’t ready to pay you yet. So, I made the pivot to focus small businesses and soloprenuerships.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
One thing I discovered is that many non-creatives struggle to understand that creativity is not bound by the clock. It just doesn’t turn on and turn off between 9am and 5pm, Monday through Friday. I also discovered the hard way, that there are some non-creatives who think the creative pitch your giving them is just a “great idea that came up” and they can then try an implement it themselves. And when it doesn’t work, they are reticent to allow the creative the time, space, or opportunity to do it because “it didn’t work before”. And I hope I don’t sound snarky here, cause I’m really not trying to be, but hopefully what I’m about to say will provide some enlightenment. The creative that pitches the idea will to a far better job of implementing it than the non-creative person, because the creative person has the full and complete vision. So it’s best to wait on and pay them to do it.”
Contact Info:
- Website: communicationsmentor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsthewrightstuff/ (@itsthewrightstuff)
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellewright6
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-wright-choice-media
- Twitter: @MichelleWright6
- Youtube: @itsthewrightstuff