Spencer Hawken
Bio
I'm a fiftysomething guy with a passion for films, travel and gluten free food. I work in property management, have a history in television presentation and am a multi award wining filmmaker, even though my films are/were all trash.
Stories (74/0)
Tales from Tashkent
From 1999 until 2018, there was a significant gap in my international travels. I'm not exactly sure why this gap occurred, but it was likely due to a combination of factors, primarily financial constraints. Regardless of the reasons, travel was not something I indulged in during those years. However, in 2018, I finally took my first holiday and fell in love with the experience. Being in a foreign land, surrounded by unfamiliar cultures and sights, opened my eyes to a whole new world. Since then, I've been following a pattern of increasing my number of international trips each year.
By Spencer Hawken10 months ago in Wander
Beyond Borders: Unearthing the Wonders of the Tashkent Film Festival
In September 2021, I received an invitation from the Uzbek Government to represent the UK at the Tashkent Film Festival in Uzbekistan, which marked the festival's comeback after a 24-year hiatus. It was an exhilarating yet overwhelming opportunity for me and my fellow travellers, whom I had been asked to select. We found ourselves surrounded by esteemed personalities such as Steven Seagal, Luc Besson, Rob Minkoff, Franco Nero, and Gerard Depardieu, and couldn't help but question why we were there, experiencing a sense of imposter syndrome.
By Spencer Hawken10 months ago in Wander
Reaching the Right Eyes and Ears: Tips for Identifying Your Target Audience on YouTube
The first rule to running a successful Youtube channel is always going to be about finding your target audience, without a target you will forever move motionless through one scenario or another, not really delivering a video anyone wants t any worthwhile degree of detail.
By Spencer Hawken10 months ago in Lifehack
Taking Control of Your Instagram Audience: Identifying and Managing Inactive Followers
Using Instagram can be a delightful and rewarding experience, particularly when you come across new followers who are unfamiliar to you. It's akin to receiving validation and a sense of belonging within the online community. However, the challenge lies in understanding the underlying motivations behind these followers. Are they genuinely interested in and engaged with your posts, or is there something less genuine at play? How often have you gained a follower, only to discover that they are a forex trader, insisting on a follow-back to grant you access to their profile?
By Spencer Hawken10 months ago in Lifehack
How to explain how saving interest works to a child
As a parent, one of the hardest challenges we face is teaching our children about the importance of saving money. Even as a 50-year-old man, I find it difficult sometimes to save myself, especially when some new shiny gadget is out there to attract my attention.
By Spencer Hawken10 months ago in Education
Poveglia Island: Revealing the Enigmatic Past of Venice's Mysterious Enclave
Nestled amid the captivating waters of the Venetian Lagoon lies an enigmatic island veiled in secrecy and foreboding. Poveglia Island, situated off the coast of Venice, Italy, has long been steeped in mystery and a haunting aura. Regarded as one of the world's most haunted sites, Poveglia Island has mesmerized both locals and visitors for generations. This article embarks on an exploration of the island's eerie history, unraveling the legends that have perpetuated its reputation as a chilling destination.
By Spencer Hawken10 months ago in History
Master the Art of UGC: 8 Winning Strategies for Approval
I have been creating User-Generated Content (UGC) for the past 18 months, mainly in short form, using a variety of digital agencies from around the world. Depending on the platform you are using, work is either assigned to you or you can pitch for the gig. However, I have recently discovered that my success rate is far higher than almost anyone I know.
By Spencer Hawken11 months ago in Lifehack
Unlock Extra Income: 10 Side Hustles to Boost Your Finances without Overwhelming Your Life
The cost of living crisis is snapping at our heels, so it's the perfect time to explore some side hustles that won't take over your life. These ideas are ideal for those with limited time and can be incorporated into your daily routine or worked on over a few days. While many side hustle suggestions are US-specific, I'm flipping the script and offering side hustles specifically for people in the United Kingdom. However, most of these options are also available in other regions, including the United States. I personally generate around £150 a month from these tasks (excluding ACX), and I spend no more than an hour a day on all of them combined.
By Spencer Hawken11 months ago in Lifehack
Best ways to invest with little cash
One of the common mistakes made by new or early investors is blindly following the crowd. I found myself in that situation when I was urged by numerous people to invest in shares of an electric vehicle company called NIO. While it seemed like a good choice at the time, I lacked the understanding of when to exit the investment. Unfortunately, a tragic incident involving a car falling from a skyscraper caused the share prices to plummet, leading to a substantial loss for me. However, it's important to note that the money I "lost" was never truly mine, as it was generated through inflation. Despite having a nagging feeling to sell my shares, I ignored it.
By Spencer Hawken11 months ago in Trader
Should you shorten your film?
If considering submitting your film to film festivals, then this is the most important piece of guidance I can give you, it’s the easiest thing to do, but the worst thing to face up to. That is to have some low-level focus groups. This sounds utterly ridiculous, but this could save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
By Spencer Hawken2 years ago in Geeks