The Mill House Media blog archive
Allan Scott has chosen to keep these posts online as many still have value – and they also include a record of his 40-year freelance career – a host of experiences that he cherishes and is happy to share with anyone who might learn something from them. He regrets (almost) nothing – and he’s had a ball…
Content Marketing 101
You’ve probably heard the expression ‘Content Is King!’ Well, not only is it king, it is queen and all the pawns too, and it works together in concert to make a wonderful and enchanting kingdom. Okay, seriously... all the types of content you put on your blog, or...
…and my final venture
Newsletter Genie was... well, somebody else's problem. (I heard quite a lot about that problem, all of it from the man to whom I had described, in detail, exactly what would happen if I left. He appeared to be surprised that I'd been right.) What to do next was my...
From tragedy to farce
When there only two directors - who fall out - the options are limited. Basically, someone needs to leave. And, usually, that someone will want paying to do so. Which, as a rule, is perfectly reasonable. However... We had a company whose principal tangible asset - the...
Death of a partnership
When my partner teamed up with me again, we both had clearly defined roles. Mine was to manage the business - and the team - and to find new clients. His was to automate and streamline the everyday management of the company so I spent less time on that and more time...
The first cracks…
Newsletter Genie Ltd had two - and only two - directors. Me, and the man who had helped focus and formulate the original concept. In 2014 - sadly - our relationship was shattered, first by a breakdown of trust in our relationship and secondly by an unforced error that...
The good, the bad and the ugly
The good... Creating my team was one of the best decisions of my life. Thanks to many years as a member of BNI (Business Networking International) I had gained experience both as an active networker and - later - as a team leader. I'd also had experience during my...
Team building for beginners
Team building was something I hadn't really tried before. I'd worked in someone else's team, in my first job. (Which probably taught me what not to do...) I'd worked in partnership with my university friends, creating what became Asgard Publishing Services. But...
From concept to company
Concept - sorted So I had my concept - and, continuing the story, I was going to create a business that centred on writing, designing, coding and distributing email newsletters. Because it used pretty much every one of my acquired skills. True, it didn't involve...
The unlikely story of how I won an Oxford scholarship…
At the tender age of 17 I was offered a scholarship to New College, Oxford. But you may find it hard to believe how that happened... So let's start with a little background. Because it's not possible to tell this story without talking about my parents. My father - Len...
Change – clearing the fog…
What do you do - at age 52 - when you haven't been employed for more than 20 years, and the whole basis of your successful freelance business has effectively been swept away? If you've been checking out the earlier articles in this series you'll know this wasn't the...
Scriptwriting – a beginner’s guide (and a special offer)…
Restarting your business? Need some help with your pitching script - or a short sales video? Then email me with your details and I'll give you an hour's free consultation. Just fill in the contact form below...Scriptwriting - writing for the spoken word, and in...
How to manage your inner lizard
Your 'inner lizard'? That's the nasty little creature that takes over your brain in a crisis. Given the interesting times we are living in, yours may well be hyperactive at the moment. And believe me, I know how that feels. Two years after I took the plunge and went...
Confident public speaking – our five top tips
Confident public speaking. Is that something you've mastered - or just something you wish you could achieve? If you're nervous about getting up on your hind legs in front of an audience (or a camera), you're certainly not alone. Most people are. And even actors with...