Selling Brand YOU!Selling Brand YOU!5 ACTION STEPS5 ACTION STEPS for Assembling a for Assembling a

Personal Marketing Plan and Establishing Personal Marketing Plan and Establishing YOUYOU as the as the BEST OF BRANDBEST OF BRAND

Presented By:Presented By:

Don StrankowskiDon StrankowskiAscend Career and Life Strategies, LLCAscend Career and Life Strategies, LLC

Before We Begin:Before We Begin:

• All cell phones OFF please

• Restrooms

• Session is interactive—please share stories, ask questions, etc.

• Study guide follows slides—has examples

Today’s Objective:Today’s Objective:

To give you To give you NEW toolsNEW tools and and NEW NEW strategiesstrategies for building and for building and establishing establishing YOUYOU as the as the

BEST OF BRANDBEST OF BRAND..

Good Morning!Good Morning!

• I believe!

• “One influential person…one good idea”

• My CHALLENGE to you:

Learn + Internalize + TEACH

What do these businesses all What do these businesses all have in common?have in common?

You are ALL Business Owners You are ALL Business Owners Too!Too!

President/CEO ?Product ?Brochure ?Sales Rep ?Buyer ?Sales Call ?Corp. Web Site ?

““You and I are going to You and I are going to have a business lunch…”have a business lunch…”

Action Step One:Action Step One: What is your What is your TOP Personal Brand?TOP Personal Brand?

PERSONAL BRAND = Single job

title/occupation which best utilizes your

TOP skills, talents, areas of expertise and

strengths.

Key Competitive Advantages = Your key differentiating factors; unique traits, high-impact skills, achievements, distinctions, education.

Best of Brand vs. Also-RanBest of Brand vs. Also-Ran

Best of Brand

1- Lexus

2-

3- Rolex

4-

5-

6-

7- Viking Appliances

Also-Ran

1-

2- Bic

3-

4- Taster’s Choice

5- Kmart

6- Long John Silver’s

7-

Exercise 1Exercise 1 p.7p.7

1-1- What is your What is your TOP PERSONAL TOP PERSONAL BRANDBRAND??

2-2- What are your What are your TOP THREETOP THREE Key Key Competitive AdvantagesCompetitive Advantages??

3- 3- How can you How can you BESTBEST assist an assist an employer in reaching their goals?employer in reaching their goals?[Answer to the “lunch” question][Answer to the “lunch” question]

Action Step Two: Action Step Two: Image is Everything!Image is Everything!

3 Brand Image Types for any job seeker or professional:

1. Personal Brand Image: attire, grooming, language, attitude, mannerisms

2. Written Image: resume, cover letter, emails, any written communication

3. eBrand Image: online, web searches, blogs, social media, message boards

Action Step Three:Action Step Three: 3 Keys3 Keys for for Building and Marketing Your Building and Marketing Your

PERSONALPERSONAL BRAND!BRAND!

1. Get out there and Network it!

2. Embark on a Social Media Campaign

3. Become a Subject Matter Expert

1. Get out there and 1. Get out there and Network itNetwork it!! Keys to Keys to POWERPOWER Networking Networking

• More people find work through networking than any other method—period.

• List should be growing not shrinking

• Many opportunities to network

• Employ a multi-faceted networking campaign for best results

POWERPOWER Networking Networking Technique One:Technique One: Steps to Success for Contacting IndividualsSteps to Success for Contacting Individuals

1. Make a list of your Top 20 High-Powered Networking Contacts

2. Have an “organized” (but not canned) script:• What you are presently doing• What your aspirations are• Hit them with TAR! (Ask for their Tips,

Advice, and Recommendations)• Invite them to join your LinkedIn network• Ask: How can you help THEM?

3. Be proactive and just do it!

Exercise 2Exercise 2 p.7p.7

List Your List Your Top FiveTop Five high- high-powered networking powered networking

contactscontacts

POWERPOWER Networking Networking Technique Two:Technique Two: Steps to Success for Attending EventsSteps to Success for Attending Events

1. Attend 2 events per month

2. Dress for success

3. Bring something to write with and take notes

4. Personal Business Cards

5. Have a Plan—who do you want to speak with?6. Know your BRAND (HOW can you create VALUE?)

7. Always give more than you get! – “What can I do for you?”

B2B Networking OpportunitiesB2B Networking Opportunities

• Associations: U.S. Societies & Associations

Directory

• Trade Shows: Trade Show News Network

• Professional Networking Events: Zvents, Eventbright, NoCo Business Journal Calendar, DBJ

• MeetUp.com

• Ask people in the industry!

Additional Networking Additional Networking OpportunitiesOpportunities

• Church groups for professionals

• Volunteer activities and organizations

• Chamber of Commerce events

• New business openings

• Continuing education and classes

• Alumni organizations• Seminars• Activity groups, i.e.,

hiking, running, singles, etc.

• Holiday parties

2. Embark on a 2. Embark on a Social Media Social Media CampaignCampaign

• LinkedIn: Users can conduct company research, find/contact key decision makers, and network to find opportunities.

• Twitter– Users can “follow” companies, recruiters, and experts and offer advice.

• Facebook– On wall ID Brand, ask for tips, advice, recommendations, introductions. Set up a Facebook business page.

• Add your social media buttons to your email signature

3.3. Become a Become a Subject Matter Subject Matter ExpertExpert

• Start blogging about your industry, occupation, use TAR and interesting insights (www.Blogger.com)

• Take on leadership roles in associations, trade groups, and networking groups.

• Offer to speak and provide content for associations, trade groups, newsletters, web sites, and networking groups.

Action Step Four:Action Step Four: The The NEWNEW Rules for Resume SuccessRules for Resume Success (p.8-9)(p.8-9)

• Create a resume based on your #1 BRAND. You are a “position player.”

• Focus on Skills and Accomplishments

• List LinkedIn and Twitter URLs

• Customize your resume for each application—work in relevant keywords from the job description

• Keep your resume current and updated

Action Step Five:Action Step Five: NEW Interview NEW Interview ToolsTools for designating for designating YOUYOU as the as the

BEST OF BRANDBEST OF BRAND

• Brag Book

• Job Business Plan

The Brag BookThe Brag Book

• Prove you have “X” skill set and “Y” experience

• 3-ring binder with page protectors

• Depicts you as a high-achiever

• Present during the interview

• Cover relevant contents during interview

• Start now!

Brag Book Contents Brag Book Contents (p.10)(p.10)

• College transcripts (anything over a 3.0 GPA)

• Letters of recommendation from past professors or employers

• Past projects; either academic or professional

• Former academic projects or reports

• Results of skills and assessment tests

• Favorable employee reviews

• Awards or certificates of accomplishment

• “Great job” emails • Company newsletter write-

up’s• Newspaper articles

mentioning your company and your name

• Community or volunteer awards or distinctions

• Anything else that offers proof or validation

The Job Business PlanThe Job Business Plan (p.11-12)(p.11-12)

• Next to a successful interview, the most common success factor in getting hired

• 2-3 page mini-business plan as to how you will address the company's NEEDS

• Addresses the top 3-5 Key Critical Areas for the job—present during the interview

• A JBP can be assembled for (almost) any position

If you If you CONTINUALLY CONTINUALLY see see yourself as the yourself as the BEST OF BEST OF BRANDBRAND in in every facetevery facet of of

your job search then…your job search then…

Congratulations!Congratulations!

You’re You’re ALLALL Hired! Hired!

• Available at Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com

• Designed for getting hired in TODAY’s highly competitive job market

• Any job, any career, any point in your career

Success is a Choice (audio CD)

• Develop a high-achiever’s mindset

• Break out of the comfort zone• Develop higher levels of

persistence• Achieve any goal by using a 7-

Step Action Plan• Cancel out self-limiting beliefs • Program your subconscious

mind to work for you• Become one of the best in your

field – earn more money and be promoted faster

Welcome to the Welcome to the ELITE 10% CLUBELITE 10% CLUB

• If you need anything else—contact me p.1• Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn• My Site: AscendCareers.net

20-30% off many products and services through April 30th Blog

• Continually work on your INNER GAME• Commit to life-long learning• Follow your passion!

““There is no finish lineThere is no finish line””