CM Access

Ok…well this could be misleading. There are many ways to actually BE a good networker. The biggest ones are:

I’m well-aware that all these are debatably personality traits more than job searching or networking tactics. And we all know how difficult it can be to change others, let alone ourselves! So rather than saying that to really land a good job, you should just “be a nicer person!” I’ll pass along something that can easily become a habit, and with minimal effort WILL help your networking skills.

READ.

Everything you can get your hands on: Newspapers (online or in print!), magazines (for industry or just popular culture), and the newest resource of increasing importance: blogs and websites.

Once you are aware of what’s going on everywhere, you’ll start to see more and more occasion to offer something to a conversation, to have something worthwhile to say to a potential contact, and then you’ll become thoughtful and considerate (hopefully!). Blogs are quickly becoming a very important way to finding out what is going on in certain sectors of the economy.

[note: ok, ok…I’m saying how important blogs are on my own blog…bear with me, ok?]

If you’re new to this whole medium, and we all were at one time or another, there are several ways to make the information overload more digestible. Start by finding the right people to guide you through it. HINT: CreativeCamp this Saturday is an informal, laid back meet-up where you can ask anything you want from people who know what they’re talking about!

Or start with local blogs to explore what’s going on in your community and the neighborhood. With a simple search I found several that I’ll add to my reading list, including Phillyist, which has a lot of information about what’s going on ’round here. There’s also the Metroblogs network, that has over 45 cities (I think) including Boston and Philadelphia.

What better way to seem a bit more prepared than your colleagues? “I read on this blog the other day…”

Of course, like everything worth doing, it takes some effort. And if you just need a jumpstart, come out to CreativeCamp! Inspiration for all!

Technorati Tags: Philadelphia, networking, read, Boston, CreativeCamp, Phillyist, how-to

So I get this email from Chris Penn, and I thought “why am I getting a reminder email about something I never heard of in the first place?”

I click on the embedded link, like ya’ do, and within seconds I find out about something really cool: Bumrush The Charts. It’s basically a way to effect change against the corporate music entities by showing that through new technology, they no longer will have the power to tell fans what is popular and what isn’t. While this pretty lady says it pretty well, it’s actually a pretty significant concept.

I surely will be forking up the 99 cents for an iTunes song by the band Black Lab, and not because I’m rolling in the dough either. I have a lot of friends who are very talented musicians hoping to one day be signed by a big record label just so others can hear their music, and I don’t like the system they’re trying to navigate. As Seth Godin would say, “it’s broken.”

So come on, 99 cents for a song and a little good deed. Plus, they’re donating the money to college scholarships.

Technorati Tags: bumrush the charts, iTunes, Black Lab, new media, social marketing, good deeds

Make sure it’s worth your time! We all know we should be attending events for the Marketing Association, for the Ad Club, for the Business Leaders Consortium, for the Sandwich Artist’s Union…[oh! Sorry, that was a former life…but you know what I mean!]

And from experience, I can tell you, I KNOW how awful they can be sometimes! Doesn’t this sound familiar?

…I’ve been there.

And before you get all “here comes another plug for her own projects” let me preface this with the absolute truth that I only promote things I strongly believe in. Honest. And I believe that the awards ceremonies that many creative professional associations hold in the springtime are some of the best networking events of the whole year! They recognize successful people and companies, typically a great turn out, and while more expensive-you get better quality!

These types of events typically draw a lot of local support from companies and agencies, too. Not only are great people recognized, but sponsors are in attendance to associate their company with those successful award winners! It’s a great way to meet the right people.

The Philly American Marketing Association is re-launching their recognition program for excellence in marketing with the Marketer of the Year. This year, the SVP of Comcast! Marvin Davis is the keynote speaker. That alone is enough reason to go, don’t you think? But even if you don’t get to talk to Mr. Davis, his colleagues and competition will be there, too!

And I could start another whole entry encouraging you to encourage your agency or department to consider submitting for any of these competitions. These are those things that make your resume stand a bit taller than the rest of the pile: “2007 Marketer of the Year recipient.” What do you have to lose, but a few minutes filling out the forms!? You’ve already done the work for your client, now get recognized by your peers!

::whew:: I can be long-winded, I know…but it’s true!

More info about the Marketer of the Year is at the PAMA website. (or through me!)

Technorati Tags: Philadelphia American Marketing Association, PAMA, Ad Club, awards, recognition, Comcast, Marvin Davis

I still believe there is no real secret strategy for guaranteed success in your job search, but there are a number of ways to enhance your comprehensive efforts. These inlcude: networking, relationship building, self-awareness (personally and professionally), and competitive advantage (what do YOU offer?).

But today I realized one of the easiest ways to get a leg up on 1-your competition, 2-networking conversation, 3-interview preparedness.

Read the local business journal. The Philadelphia Business Journal was recognized as the number one newspaper in Pennsylvania in 2006 and they are part of a network of 41 regional business journals. What does this mean for you, the job-seeker or proactive career manager? It means that they have accurate, timely and thorough coverage of business events and information throughout the region. Before this starts to sound like a “subscribe now!” pitch, let me reign it in.

I learned this morning directly from the publisher, at an eWomen Network breakfast, how to truly use the information in the Business Journal to my advantage. By reading sections like People on the Move, and The List, you can find out what’s going on in companies you’d like to work for (or their competition!), congratulate people who’ve recently been promoted (kissing butt is ALWAYS a good way to get a hiring manager’s attention!) or even just compile a list of relevant target companies you’d like to consider for your next career move.

Subscriptions to Business Journals also allow you to access the full content online, and sign up for email alerts. This is how you can stay current with news and events, and keep your contacts warm. Let them know you think of them and their business by sharing relevant articles and events.

Yes, it costs money. Yes, it takes time to read the articles and sort through to the “Good” stuff, but (absolutely, positively, without a doubt) YES, it’s worth it.

as always, thoughts, concerns or comments are encouraged!

Technorati Tags: Philadelphia Business Journals, networking, strategies, secrets

short answer: yes.

long answer: No doubt about it. The way you present yourself is inextricably linked with the way you manage your identity.

I’ve talked about why it’s necessary to maintain control over your online identity–your web presence needs to speak to your skills, personality and goals. This may be easier for designers who can showcase their samples, but we’ll continue to explore how marketers, copywriters, and even account managers need to harness Web 2.0 technology to create a branding YOU campaign for career management. It’s really no longer about the periodic job search. It’s about building a network, keeping your ear to the ground for growth opportunities, and always proactive about accomplishing career goals.

But more to today’s point: your physical identity and appearance are a big part of your career management. OK ok, so you always hear “dress nicely for your interview, make sure your handshake is effective…” blah blah blah. But many times this is hard to know unless you talk to the proper resources, right?

I recently met JoJami Tyler, who is a professional image consultant. Definitely the kind of person you want to have in your network! But if you’re not able find someone near you, check out her blog here, and her website, here. She can answer questions about your personal brand, how to dress for media engagments (definitely a plus for PR folks!) and even closet organization–which most of us could use!

Who wouldn’t take a few pointers about how to manage your professional image? You could even explore how to solidify visually that identity you’ve been working to build virtually! (and no, she doesn’t do Second Life image consultation!)

PS She is trying to make time to come to CreativeCamp 3–great opportunity to learn what she is all about! Be there to share!

Technorati Tags: JoJami Tyler, professional image, identity, career management, networking, organization, Cafe Glam, Mode Image, CreativeCamp