drew: drew olanoff dot com. - Give me Quality or Give me Death
goldiekatsu
· 1 year ago
Great post, there is a lot of quantity out there. The challenge I see is when heading out the door how do you get to quality. Throwing crap against the wall obviously isn't the answer.
On the other hand, it is possible to worry too much about the quality of what you are going to produce and never get out the door.
For example, with videos I was hesitant to do them at first - what quality would i have? But I started with a goal to get to a level of quality, I know my first videos had marginal quality but, given people's responses over time they've developed quality. It's still a process obviously - I'm working on getting the setup for the next level, but I started with pretty rough material.
Starting out with quality is great, but if it means there will be no start (due to waiting for perfection) there's a problem. Perhaps the best answer is to start with a goal of quality and realize that there will be a journey to that destination.
Anthony Farrior
· 1 year ago
Great Post Drew! I agree. No matter how many "bells and whistles" you have, it comes down to your attention to detail, your aim to make quality blogs,posts,software,coding,product...Everything else will come in time because you chose to do it right from the beginning...
Phil Glockner
· 1 year ago
Excellent post! I think everything I could say has already been said here, but I completely agree with your thoughts! I definitely try to follow this advice on my own blog.
Chris Brogan...
· 1 year ago
I really like this, Drew. I've learned that the secret ingredient to quantity is practice. Lots and lots of practice.
drewolanoff
· 1 year ago
Great great great point.
Practice is the word I left out. And practice requires what? PATIENCE!
Thank you Mayor!
Pratik Patel
· 1 year ago
For me, cliches are those things that people talk about often--things that lose meaning over time--things that used to mean something at some point when the phrases were invented. And yes, "quality over quantity" has certainly become a cliche. But, there is always some truth to the phrase. And there is such thing as reinventing the concept. This post certainly points out the fact that something could be salvaged from years of crud that was known as quality.
drewolanoff
· 1 year ago
Exactly, things your dad or your grandpop told you that you may have stored away for a later date or just forgot about on the spot.
Salvaging things is key here, that's a great point to make. Just because something "failed" doesn't mean it's not a good idea. Refactor the way you went at it, re-look at whats around you, take your time. Then you might be able to make something that is seemingly dead, alive again.
Mike Desjardins
· 1 year ago
Great post, Drew. I think this it the first time I happened upon your blog (thanks for tweeting it, Chris Brogan!). This is why I try not to worry too much when I get into a "dry spell" and don't post anything for a week or two. I'd rather have something interesting to say than post a crapload of drivel that no one cares to read.
drewolanoff
· 1 year ago
Thanks for stopping by and being a guest in my house Mike.
Dry Spells used to scare me. Now i LONG for them.
Roger
· 1 year ago
Good post Drew. And brings to attention what mainstream businesses have known for years. Ford made "Quality is job 1" a household slogan in the 1980s.
Beginning in the 1950s, a number of scholars established a paradigm called Total Quality Management. That is you manage the product from concept to delivery with quality as a driving force at every step. More recently TQM has been criticized as just another management fad, but there is no doubt that the approach has worked for many, and is applicable at all business scales.
drewolanoff
· 1 year ago
Oh you nailed it on the head Roger.
Ford is a perfect example and they put it into action.
TQM, oh fantastic. I'm going to take TQM and reshape it for the web. That is my homework for next week and I'm going to write a series of posts on it. THANK you for this!!!
Penny
· 1 year ago
Thanks for this Drew! Although I'm not a newbie, my new job is challenging me to venture into the world beyond study abroad. I'm taking my time, deciding what web apps, features, etc will suit my new work. With everyone speeding around me with tweets, blogposts, and comments I have moments where I feel like I should just do something, anything so I'm not left behind. But you've reassured me that taking my time is okay. For now, I'm observing my marketing/tech mentors--like you, Ruth M. Sylte & Chris Brogan. And when I get our new website developed--Look out!
drewolanoff
· 1 year ago
Awesome, Penny! You have the base though. You are a good person, a smart person, and a talented person. That's the key.
Trust you and trust your skills and abilities.
And following Ruth, and Chris are smart smart moves, these folks know what they're doing.
luissandovaljr
· 1 year ago
Drew, this is the second time I've been lead here thanks to a tweet by Chris Brogan. So far the two articles I have read have been dead on.
I have just started a blog myself, and quite frankly looking at all the people I follow and respect, it was daunting because I felt like I had to post 20 times a day in order to drive traffic and interest to my site. But you are right, quality is what matters because quality is what will drive deep thought, conversation, and ultimately readership.
A cliche might be a cliche, but they exist for a reason. We state them so often that they start to lose their worth, but overall the meaning behind it will always stand up as truth.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
drewolanoff
· 1 year ago
Keep going is the key Luis. Don't give up if you believe in something.
A blog, a video show, a community outreach program, volunteering, stamp collecting, it doesn't matter.
Never, ever give up.
C.C. Chapman
· 1 year ago
REALLY good point you raise here.
I hate when people blog, podcast or create content over and over just for the sake of doing it. I would much prefer one thought out post every couple of week then one a day with no thought.
But, like you said some people just spew quality but those are few and far between.
It is a fine line sometimes and people have to realize that no matter how much you love something and think it is of high quality it is impossible to know for sure what is going to catch people's attention and relate to them.
You mention Twitter. I had an account for several months before I really got what I liked about it. Nothing changed with it, but my mind and way I wanted to use it changed.
Think before you post is always good advice no matter what channel you are creating on.
drewolanoff
· 1 year ago
Thanks for jumping in C.C. That's how Twitter happened for me. I thought it was stupid until I slowed down, thought about how it would make me happier and help me connect with my friends, like you.
Think before you do anything is sound advice from an awesome dude.
Jim Kukral TheBizWebCoach
· 1 year ago
Yeah, quantity of quality IS best. But so hard to do. I've been posting a daily video on my site for 2 months, but I had a break in the action this week and instead of putting up a junky post I just didn't post. That's how I deal with it. It's hard to do quality every single time, so I just don't do it if I can't.
drewolanoff
· 1 year ago
It's touch because what is the definition of QUALITY? It's your own gut feeling plus the reactions you get from others.
You can't be perfect, nobody is perfect. Be you, do your best, and come big or go home and remember that none of this is life or death.
Nothing is. Nothing requires a decision or action right now other than a medical emergency.
Clarence Wooten
· 1 year ago
Nice post. I agree... it's all about quality. That's why I don't blog much... don't have the time to write quality posts :-) So its easier from me to twitter about quality articles like this one... when I come across them :-)
drewolanoff
· 1 year ago
Clarence, thank you for stopping by my little home on the intarwebs.
If you don't like your quality then you're right, why post to post? Thanks for feeling this is tweet worthy. I just like sharing personal experiences.
I am wrong about a lot of stuff, but I love being wrong sometimes and screwing up sometimes, because its how I learn.
anodyne2art
· 1 year ago
Hi Drew, Oh yes...and give me DEPTH. You are so right on with this. I'm working on a piece about all the money grubbing you have to do as an artist (I be a musician) & the rapid fire acquisition of tech knowledge ...constant, incessant. There is so much emphasis on how to "monetize" your output that I truly think that quality & substance suffer on the creative end. I have friends who are scientists and they too spend most of their time fundraising. And, don't get me wrong: fundraising and networking are art forms, BUT. they aren't necessarily doing what art does best (when it's any good) which is to mine human emotion and express that in ways that tap universal human experiences. And there's a heavy emphasis on institutions and pedigree too...since when did art school an artist make ? This is why there is(IMHO) a general dumbing down culturally. It's also a culture dedicated to consumption (read Consumed,an excellent book on this subject) and this makes for a disconnect . There's a real loss , it seems, when it comes to people grasping that they can problem solve in a creative way and that this is the key to having a life rich in meaning and substance versus one where you just buy it . Wrestling with this is what we do every day. Former member of the Gang of 4 ,Dave Allen (www.pampelmoose.com one of the best music sites out there), left GO4 to focus on Web 2 Music issues...we have all had to come to terms with how music 2.0 can work. The last few music conferences have all summed up that digital content = zero value (from the creator's standpoint). Some feel that if they can't make a living at it , they have to focus on contributing the tools that WILL make it possible to survive. I wonder, as someone who has for most of my life bridged the worlds of activism in the arts/founding organizations (in Vancouver, the UK & in the USA) and my own creative work, if it's possible to do both well. simultaneously. One seems to suffer when fully engaged with the other. The kind of focus you talk about is very zeroed in on the work itself and has its own kind of tunnel effect. It's not a social activity...it's lonely, asks everything of you...so, I swing back & forth...go in & out. Right now I'm trying to do both & weave it all together in a new way. My partner in Chordata (non profit here in the desert) & Chordata Studio is a painter. Paintings don't translate well across this medium. They require one on one presence and give you the gift of time. Does this mean painting and all that it takes to be really good at it and deliver that emotional essence, the universals...does this mean it is no longer relevant because it's "slow".? We're working on this at Chordata Studio (& with younger musicians & artists of all kinds)...this place is unique. The approach is trying to get them to ask themselves: Do I have anything to say? What is it ? We'll try , as we go along, to get the essence of it up here on the web through videocasting, podcasting, virtual recording studio collabs...projects...any way we can. We're trying to find ways to connect directly using this medium...Chordata is not a school, it doesn't teach people how to write a song or paint a painting, it's not an institution...it's a place of focus on the process and we hope to be as transparent about it as we can be.. Information is NOT wisdom. http://twitpic.com/x94 picture of the studio main space (5000 sq ft houses recording studio, painting studios, multimedia production , adaptable performance space all put together on a shoestring with what came to hand...the natural world of the desert brought inside, experimental instruments made from things like giant fuel tanks (!)...it is the very model of what you can do with creative thinking and excellence and quality are where it's at.Things don't get into the space if they don't contribute in a meaningful way to the whole. Anyway, we do only ever have this moment , and I thank you for writing such a thoughtful piece. Cheers, Liz
Thanks, Drew - and I still feel like I'm miles behind from where I should be (largely because I don't know enough people who can compliment my skill set - that is, "complete me" in a professional sense).
drewolanoff
· 1 year ago
Thanks for jumping in Chris. That's what makes you what you are, that you want to stay on top of things. And I don't know how you do it, but man oh man.
And you will find people who compliment you, you're just so far ahead of the curve that people will have to catch up. We need to do a Pirillo matchmaking initiative.
Hmmm. A "dating" service for web professionals. Hmmm. You in?
Halcyon
· 1 year ago
It is a really interesting issue. I think the web, as a whole, is terrible for this. If you know a magazine won't go to print for 3 weeks, you might- oh, I don't know --edit it?! Maybe re-write? But the web is a needy mistress and always wants your latest NOW. It is a dangerous trap to "Spill your creative seed" as soon as you have an impulse. You get instant feedback, but then you are done with an idea that could have been GREAT if you took time to develop it.
drewolanoff
· 1 year ago
Seesmic video reply from Disqus.
figmentations
· 1 year ago
Glad to hear someone talking about quality. 'Overposting' certainly isn't the best strategy for all bloggers. I prefer thoughtful content myself. I agree that regular quality content will definitely yield quality readership as well. Thanks for writing about this.
Pratik Patel
· 1 year ago
As you look at TQM and the web, consider the definitions. What is quality? "quality" in different contexts means different things. It means something to me. It means something else to you. It probably, means something entirely different to someone who believes that quantity is important. In an age where stats are often quoted for proving one's relative importance, defining and sticking to the concept of quality is as important as anything else.
Chris Cavs
· 1 year ago
Drew, you're right on the money. Quantity, and not quality, is why AT&T's Tech Channel failed. Without pointing fingers, they tried for too much too fast, instead of planning out what they needed and designating some concrete, attainable, realistic goals. This "throw it against the wall and see what sticks" attitude is really prevalent. In fact, I heard that phrase uttered more than once while working there. The project had great potential. The execution was horrendous.
In whatever I do, I constantly and consistently emphasize a focus on quality over quantity. I'd rather put out a great project that I can be proud of and that people will want to consume than put out a bunch of crap. If I did the latter, my reputation would be crap, and I wouldn't get any work!
I think it's important for new media people to realize that it's not just how much you push out, but what you push out that matters. I'd love to see more quality work from people who I know are talented, but who just don't put the effort into making a good product. In the world of soundbites, qik, twitter, and "citizen journalism," this happens way too often. I hope that soon I'll see more quality work from people. We have such potential. That's what new media should be about.
All Comments
On the other hand, it is possible to worry too much about the quality of what you are going to produce and never get out the door.
For example, with videos I was hesitant to do them at first - what quality would i have? But I started with a goal to get to a level of quality, I know my first videos had marginal quality but, given people's responses over time they've developed quality. It's still a process obviously - I'm working on getting the setup for the next level, but I started with pretty rough material.
Starting out with quality is great, but if it means there will be no start (due to waiting for perfection) there's a problem. Perhaps the best answer is to start with a goal of quality and realize that there will be a journey to that destination.
Practice is the word I left out. And practice requires what? PATIENCE!
Thank you Mayor!
Salvaging things is key here, that's a great point to make. Just because something "failed" doesn't mean it's not a good idea. Refactor the way you went at it, re-look at whats around you, take your time. Then you might be able to make something that is seemingly dead, alive again.
Dry Spells used to scare me. Now i LONG for them.
Beginning in the 1950s, a number of scholars established a paradigm called Total Quality Management. That is you manage the product from concept to delivery with quality as a driving force at every step. More recently TQM has been criticized as just another management fad, but there is no doubt that the approach has worked for many, and is applicable at all business scales.
Ford is a perfect example and they put it into action.
TQM, oh fantastic. I'm going to take TQM and reshape it for the web. That is my homework for next week and I'm going to write a series of posts on it. THANK you for this!!!
Trust you and trust your skills and abilities.
And following Ruth, and Chris are smart smart moves, these folks know what they're doing.
I have just started a blog myself, and quite frankly looking at all the people I follow and respect, it was daunting because I felt like I had to post 20 times a day in order to drive traffic and interest to my site. But you are right, quality is what matters because quality is what will drive deep thought, conversation, and ultimately readership.
A cliche might be a cliche, but they exist for a reason. We state them so often that they start to lose their worth, but overall the meaning behind it will always stand up as truth.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
A blog, a video show, a community outreach program, volunteering, stamp collecting, it doesn't matter.
Never, ever give up.
I hate when people blog, podcast or create content over and over just for the sake of doing it. I would much prefer one thought out post every couple of week then one a day with no thought.
But, like you said some people just spew quality but those are few and far between.
It is a fine line sometimes and people have to realize that no matter how much you love something and think it is of high quality it is impossible to know for sure what is going to catch people's attention and relate to them.
You mention Twitter. I had an account for several months before I really got what I liked about it. Nothing changed with it, but my mind and way I wanted to use it changed.
Think before you post is always good advice no matter what channel you are creating on.
Think before you do anything is sound advice from an awesome dude.
You can't be perfect, nobody is perfect. Be you, do your best, and come big or go home and remember that none of this is life or death.
Nothing is. Nothing requires a decision or action right now other than a medical emergency.
If you don't like your quality then you're right, why post to post? Thanks for feeling this is tweet worthy. I just like sharing personal experiences.
I am wrong about a lot of stuff, but I love being wrong sometimes and screwing up sometimes, because its how I learn.
And there's a heavy emphasis on institutions and pedigree too...since when did art school an artist make ? This is why there is(IMHO) a general dumbing down culturally. It's also a culture dedicated to consumption (read Consumed,an excellent book on this subject) and this makes for a disconnect . There's a real loss , it seems, when it comes to people grasping that they can problem solve in a creative way and that this is the key to having a life rich in meaning and substance versus one where you just buy it . Wrestling with this is what we do every day.
Former member of the Gang of 4 ,Dave Allen (www.pampelmoose.com one of the best music sites out there), left GO4 to focus on Web 2 Music issues...we have all had to come to terms with how music 2.0 can work. The last few music conferences have all summed up that digital content = zero value (from the creator's standpoint). Some feel that if they can't make a living at it , they have to focus on contributing the tools that WILL make it possible to survive.
I wonder, as someone who has for most of my life bridged the worlds of activism in the arts/founding organizations (in Vancouver, the UK & in the USA) and my own creative work, if it's possible to do both well. simultaneously. One seems to suffer when fully engaged with the other. The kind of focus you talk about is very zeroed in on the work itself and has its own kind of tunnel effect. It's not a social activity...it's lonely, asks everything of you...so, I swing back & forth...go in & out. Right now I'm trying to do both & weave it all together in a new way.
My partner in Chordata (non profit here in the desert) & Chordata Studio is a painter. Paintings don't translate well across this medium. They require one on one presence and give you the gift of time. Does this mean painting and all that it takes to be really good at it and deliver that emotional essence, the universals...does this mean it is no longer relevant because it's "slow".?
We're working on this at Chordata Studio (& with younger musicians & artists of all kinds)...this place is unique. The approach is trying to get them to ask themselves: Do I have anything to say? What is it ? We'll try , as we go along, to get the essence of it up here on the web through videocasting, podcasting, virtual recording studio collabs...projects...any way we can. We're trying to find ways to connect directly using this medium...Chordata is not a school, it doesn't teach people how to write a song or paint a painting, it's not an institution...it's a place of focus on the process and we hope to be as transparent about it as we can be..
Information is NOT wisdom.
http://twitpic.com/x94
picture of the studio main space (5000 sq ft houses recording studio, painting studios, multimedia production , adaptable performance space all put together on a shoestring with what came to hand...the natural world of the desert brought inside, experimental instruments made from things like giant fuel tanks (!)...it is the very model of what you can do with creative thinking and excellence and quality are where it's at.Things don't get into the space if they don't contribute in a meaningful way to the whole.
Anyway, we do only ever have this moment , and I thank you for writing such a thoughtful piece.
Cheers,
Liz
www.anodyne2art.com
twitterfeed: www.twitter.com/anodyne2art
And you will find people who compliment you, you're just so far ahead of the curve that people will have to catch up. We need to do a Pirillo matchmaking initiative.
Hmmm. A "dating" service for web professionals. Hmmm. You in?
I think the web, as a whole, is terrible for this.
If you know a magazine won't go to print for 3 weeks, you might- oh, I don't know --edit it?! Maybe re-write? But the web is a needy mistress and always wants your latest NOW.
It is a dangerous trap to "Spill your creative seed" as soon as you have an impulse. You get instant feedback, but then you are done with an idea that could have been GREAT if you took time to develop it.
In whatever I do, I constantly and consistently emphasize a focus on quality over quantity. I'd rather put out a great project that I can be proud of and that people will want to consume than put out a bunch of crap. If I did the latter, my reputation would be crap, and I wouldn't get any work!
I think it's important for new media people to realize that it's not just how much you push out, but what you push out that matters. I'd love to see more quality work from people who I know are talented, but who just don't put the effort into making a good product. In the world of soundbites, qik, twitter, and "citizen journalism," this happens way too often. I hope that soon I'll see more quality work from people. We have such potential. That's what new media should be about.