subject: App Building Networking And Skills For Working With A Creative Team [print this page] At Wickedly Sisters (Marie Davis and Margaret Hultz) we often are asked, How do you both work so well together? We usually respond accidentally, in unison, Together, we have one really good brain! Sadly, there is probably some truth to that! Odds are youve read or seen some of our work. If not, we are iPad App developers. Our App Spoon and the Moon, debuted as an illuminated novelamong the first in a completely new art form.
In the last twenty years as creative business partners, weve learned to work at success, really hard . . . like an old dog scratching fleas . . . lots of fleas! As Wickedly Sisters, each of us is better at scratching in different directions. Margaret is fearless on the phone. Oh, you naughty librarian. I heard her say these words to the Head Librarian of our states library systemthe very same librarian who shut me down several times. Thanks to Margarets phone skills, that naughty librarian gave us permission for a huge event on the capitol grounds, and helped corral a group of dignitaries to attend.
In addition, over the years we have honed dual skills. Some of the things we are better at together, than apart, are traveling, working a large business crowd, and building intimate business friendships. As app developers and writers, it is easy to burrow ourselves away in our offices and contact people or colleagues solely through electronic means. However, Margaret and I intentionally get out and meet with people in our field. For most everyone, these large gatherings can be daunting and a bit overwhelming. Weve found that it is easier to manage these events with a trustworthy crony by your side. Once we feel more comfortable among the strangers then we split up and individually network. That also works on a more personal level, and without a doubt, the people we meet usually hit it off more with one or the other of us. We recognize that this is going to happen, and let that be natural. It is not necessary for a colleague to bond with both of us.
We also excel at traveling, this is one of the main reasons our business has grown globally. With business cards in hand, our iPad fully charged and our app Spoon and the Moon ready to go, a few gift boxes of chocolates and buckets of passion for our work, we frequently set off on trips throughout the U.S. and abroad. During every trip, we look for any opportunity to network our buns off. We will talk to anybody and everybody who might wind up being a potential friend or resource. It is important not to be shy about showing your app around. It is surprising how many people we have met on planes, busses and trains. When you are out working, never stop being on. Put your salesperson cap on and offer to take people to a nice dinner. Of course, once there a bottle or two of wine encourages folks to loosen up. Business friendships are often born from an old bottle of Beaujolaisalways pick up the check. Dont forget the key is friendship, and sometimes the best way to become a friend is to find out what you can do for them. Dont be shy about doing someone a favor, before they offer to help you its just part of the networking game.
All that aside, there are some dirty little secrets to our successful partnership. Foremost, we really understand how rare a successful, creative partnership is and we respect this relationship as an entity all its own. Moreover, we are not in competition with each other. Theres no need for an ego, it is always about making the best work. Brainstorming sessions are key to our success. When we brainstorm there is no wrong answer, just ideas that lead us to the right answer. Sometimes the best ideas start out as a tad ridiculous. As an editor said at our latest book signing in Paris, Their writing is seamless; I cannot tell the difference between the two. Is it seamless? Do we squabble? Of course we do, occasionally, just not at this moment, and not very often. Oops! She just kicked my shin and said, Now we can argue.
Tune into our next article; the topic will be the plusses and pitfalls of adding musicians and musical producers to your app project. We will discuss how to pay musicians, where to find them, what is the going-rate for a song-licensing fee, and what to include in a music contract.
