A reality television show is expanding my creativity and helping me think bigger.
It’s also reinforcing my belief that specialized skills and passion matter a lot more than general education and a career track in today’s economy.
Shark Tank is a reality show where budding entrepreneurs try to convince five self-made millionaires to invest in their business.
In order to secure the funding to jump-start their business ideas, they need a big vision, knowledge of the market, and a sound plan. A little bit of start-up success shows the investor that there’s actually a demand for the product.
I’ve noticed three things when the entrepreneurs come out and make their case:
- They’re usually very passionate about what they’re doing. You rarely see this kind of passion from experienced employees in the corporate world or even optimistic recent graduates.You have to be a different kind of person to run your own show.
- The investors never ask the business owners where they went to school or what their past experience is. They care about what the product is, how it fits into the marketplace, and what the plan for capturing part of that demand is.
- As passionate as they are, the entrepreneurs don’t always package themselves well. A well-written presentation would increase their chances of getting the money they want. (As a copywriter, you wouldn’t have this problem.) I watch the show with a notebook and pen because I’m writing down ideas on how they could improve.
The takeaways?
What matters here are not your educational credentials, or lack thereof. What makes a difference are …
- Your big ideas
- Your specialized skills
- The demand for those skills
- Your ability to present yourself as a solution
- Passion for what you’re doing
All five of those qualities can make you an in-demand, successful copywriter as well.
Check out Shark Tank on Friday nights at 9:00 PM ET on ABC. If you’ve seen the show before, tell me one thing you’ve learned from watching it.
