The Art of Marketing Yourself
Marketing yourself is the practice of showing your best self in front of potential employers. The idea is much like marketing a normal product, but in this case, the product is you.
The job market is competitive. Just a few years back a simple college degree would have been enough to land you an interview. Unfortunately, that no longer seems to be the case. Employers are searching for more in their potential candidates than just a piece of paper.
That is what sparked the trend of marketing yourself today. It involves the actions you take to set yourself apart from the rest of the crowd. It is all about bringing the spotlight on you.
And, marketing yourself doesn’t just necessarily apply to someone in the job hunt. It is something you should actively be doing in your spare time. It is about staying ahead and establishing yourself as an expert in your field of choice.
So, how do you go about doing this? This article is here to show you what you can do to market yourself effectively.
Know What Your Worth
What do you have to offer that others don’t? Before you even begin marketing yourself, you need to take a deep look at who the hell you are.
Identify your strengths and passions. What is your “wow” factor that will persuade someone to hire you?
This first step is all about assessing yourself as both an individual and as a professional. To put this into perspective; it is really difficult to market something you don’t know.
Once, you know what you can bring to the table, own it. Flaunt your strengths and the individual that you are.
Set Goals for Yourself
It is pretty tough to market yourself without having a set goal. Seriously think about what you want to get out of putting yourself out there.
Are you looking to score a new job? Maybe you’re looking for new business opportunities?
No matter the case, setting personal goals is crucial for outlining your self-marketing plan.
Create an Elevator Pitch
Picture yourself in an elevator with Elon Musk, George Washington and Warren Buffet. All four of you are heading up to the top floor. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You can’t possibly waste it by standing in silence.
But, you only have 30 seconds to sell yourself to them. What do you say?
A great elevator pitch is a summary of who you are, what you have accomplished and what you can bring to the table. The goal is to leave a lasting impression on the people you are talking to.
Think of your elevator pitch as a slice of pie. Give the audience enough of a taste to want and come back for more.
You never know when an opportunity will arise, so having an elevator pitch ready for when you need to market yourself on a moment’s notice.
Build Your Own Website
A website is a great way to show who you are, your accomplishments, your skills and your personal values.
You don’t have to be a wiz kid to build one either. The small amount of time you put into learning how to build a website will benefit your self-marketing efforts in the long-run.
Think of it as a virtual resume. But, instead of trying to cram as much information as you can on one piece of paper, you have a complete digital platform to showcase yourself.
Start Blogging
Blogging is one way to show off your area of expertise. Especially if you have in-depth knowledge or insight on a topic.
Even if you’re not the best writer, blogging can help get your name out there. If your content is valuable it is bound to facilitate some shares, which in the end can result in higher name recognition for you.
Plus, it also shows that you are passionate about what you do. Potential employers will eat that shit up.
Be Interviewed on a Podcast
Podcasting is a growing industry and I am willing to bet you know at least one person who has an active podcast.
As much as you might hate your own voice, getting the chance to be interviewed on a podcast is great for name recognition and self-promotion.
Just, be careful not to make a fool of yourself when recording. Go into a podcast prepared. Understand the topic they are discussing and have solid talking points ready.
Realistically, the podcast doesn’t even have to be in your niche. Just having an opinion and being a part of the conversation can help with marketing yourself.
Establish a Positive Social Media Presence
Social media can also be used to get your name out there. However, when I say to establish a presence I do not mean to upload yourself going Bill’s Mafia on a table in your backyard.
In fact, I mean the quite opposite. You should clean up your social accounts and focus on posting content that one would consider professional, wholesome or valuable.
Specifically, you should focus on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a growing social media platform full of professionals across multiple industries.
Use LinkedIn to connect with like-minded individuals. I suggest also joining professional groups within your industry. Joining in on conversations and sharing your insight helps get your name circulating.
Your other social media accounts can be just as valuable. However, if there is content on your accounts that one may consider un-professional, I suggest deleting the posts or setting your account to private.
Remember, you want to be perceived as a professional. Social media is forever. Think before you post.
Networking
Bad news for the introverts. Marketing yourself entails overcoming your social anxiety. Yes, you need to learn to talk to people.
Networking is still prominent for career development. It is all about connecting with others and building positive relationships.
Word of mouth is an amazing thing. If you leave a lasting impression on the individuals you connect with, doors will open for you.
When hiring, employers are still more likely to consider individuals they know rather than a complete stranger. The evidence is clear. It is much easier to get a job with a referral or reference than applying for a job with no support.
So, any opportunities that you have to connect with others, whether it be a work party, charity event, etc., don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and introduce yourself.
Join Groups of Like-minded Individuals
Building off of networking, it is important to also join groups, communities or clubs with individuals in your field.
Now, if you’re a college student reading this, listen up. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get involved in groups or clubs related to the industry you plan on pursuing a career in.
Professional groups are not that hard to find. Most are only a Google search away.
Volunteer
Of course, there is no way better way to market yourself than getting involved in your community.
A lot of individuals turn away when the opportunity to volunteer presents itself. However, despite thinking you can find more valuable things to do with your time, there are more benefits to volunteering than negatives.
Not only do you walk away feeling good about yourself, but your service can also be a great addition to your resume. Plus, you will be surprised by how many different people you meet and the relationships you build.
Conclusion
Marketing yourself is really all about finding ways to shine the light on you. It is not an exhaustive practice, but it does take effort.
Like everything else, the more you put in the more you will receive.
If you have tips for marketing yourself that you would like to share, please leave a comment below!
