November 25, 2007
“important announcement” from gapingvoid
After I found myself permanently exiled from the advertising business in late 2004, I found myself with only a single, unpaid gig remaining i.e. this website, gapingvoid.
Luckily this unemployed phase didn’t last long. Sure, I had a month or two of being poor and desperate, but then English Cut came along, then Thingamy, then Stormhoek, then the consulting, then the Blue Monster, then the paid speaking gigs. Within two years or so I had turned the ship around quite nicely.
But somehow gapingvoid got lost in the mix. Even though the plan has always been to keep gapingvoid at the very epicenter of what I do, in the last 18 months or so it seemed to get increasingly pushed to the margins.
I guess that’s not surprising. With so much going on it’s hard to make a small cartoon blog [with equally small advertising revenues] the main focus of one’s business.
But of course, without gapingvoid, my own personal global microbrand, the other stuff would never have been possible. Therein lies the rub.
The last three years has been without question the most exciting period of my career, but My God, it has stretched me thin. I’m worn out.
So this last week I’ve been telling people I work with, I’m changing the game plan. I’m going back to basics. From now on building “the gapingvoid brand” will become my first priority. Yes, I will still be working with the same people and projects I’m working with now, in much the same way, but in a much less involved capacity.
Time to regroup. Indeed.
I’m thinking now would be a good time to thank everybody who reads gapingvoid on a regular basis. Without you, the last three amazing years would never have happened.
Thanks, Everybody. You guys rock.
As a more silent reader I take the opportunity as well to thank you for your work here so far and whish you joy and lots of energy with that new focus.
That combination of yours is so very rare. The cartoons with their minimalist approach, that sometimes really make my day! and your inspiring texts, that cut the chase and hit the point precisely all the time.
Thanks!
All I can say is syndicate, syndicate, syndicate — national papers will die for this content and given its dark witty edge.
I’m at the other end of the scale at the moment, Hugh: I feel I need to concentrate on my other ventures and let the personal blog take a back seat for a while (a work blog at Lucire is a bit more active consequently). But it’s good we are all realigning our lives to the areas where we feel are most productive.
Dear Hugh:
It looks like you’re following your own advice — at least it makes me think of the content of How To Be Creative.
I was going to sign off with “Best of luck”, but I’m no longer sure how big a part luck plays, so I’ll finish with “Cheers” — sipping some Stromhoek and lots of supportive yelling.
John Ballantrae
Looking forward to you rekindling the old times. Glad I hung in there. Thanks, from your Austrian fan
Good call.
Some months ago I think I sent you a message via Facebook with a request along these lines. Gaping Void is “The Thing” — get this right and the rest will follow.
Personally — I think the next step for Gaping Void is to make it more of a network. In my view creating networks / social clusters is the future for anything that aspires to be a “media type thing”.
Agree with Richard Stacy… Good decision — we want YOU back!!!!!!!! xxx
I am grateful for all you have gotten to do Hugh, just got mixed up in this world less than a year ago. At the same time I actually started getting paid for the things I’m good at, your creativity and thoughts have been inspiring on many levels. Thanks to you.
Anyway for me to get more Hugh is my diet is a good thing. (Not meant as weird as it sounds or maybe I do:)
Well met, and glad to hear it.
I hope I wasn’t any part of the tipping.
I will be happy to have my to read box so full that my to write box never gets empty.
welcome back in a sense.
Lots of people shifting back and regrouping.
I was pleasantly forced to join in on the fun.
I feel so much better, and oh boy am I gonna be better off.
Keep the good stuff coming.
hard to say anything that hasn’t already been said. good luck, although you really don’t need it. you have found your way, and that’s the most important thing.
rock on!!
Cheers, Hugh.
Hey Hugh, I’m so glad. I’d miss the cartoons if I didn’t see them regularly. Sure, your articles are fantastic, but the zip-zapness of your cartoons is something else all together.
Great going.
I think you should take up photographing nude women as a hobby. At this stage in your life you could apply some creativity to it and have some fun. My thinking is that the side benefits might cheer you up …
Best Wishes,
Dave
How interesting to come across this blog at such a pivotal moment. I am looking out for any information on global microbrands.
Mark
Hugh,
We have passed a few emails, regarding “change the world, or go home” and how it has been my company’s motto (for LiftPort — The Elevator to Space Companies) for a couple years now.
The idea of the phrase resonates with me, and the rest of my team. And there are times when you have a really bad day (http://www.liftport.com/progress/wp/?p=1139) and everything comes crashing down around you.
At that point, you have no option but to consider what the hell you are doing, and why, and come up with a plan that works.
It is good to know that you had that crisis moment before, because that is where I am, now. It is also good to know that you are “eating your own dog food” (Microsoft phrase, which I assume you know, but not everyone reading this comment will) and regrouping on your best asset — yourself.
Do yourself the favor of reading “how to be creative” with fresh eyes. Pretend you are one of us, seeing it for the first time. Let it hit you, like it hit us. hard.
I am sure you will find some good stuff in there — we did, which is why we are reading you in the first place.
Take care. Mjl
Keep rocking Hugh!!
Hugh,
So happy you’ve decided to catch your breath. I fully expect we’ll see an even greater outpouring of your dark brilliance.
Hugh, you are a one and only. What would we do without you? I, for one, am happy you’re rededicating yourself to making gapingvoid once again the centerpiece.
Excellent move — congrat’s on making the decision to throttle back a bit before completely burning out. I’m a big Gaping Void fan and really enjoy your insights, comments and cartoons.
Keep it up!