How to get a job!

Andy Sernovitz is coming back to Milwaukee in a couple weeks to speak to BMA-Milwaukee about Word of Mouth marketing. I was surfing around and came upon his blog and his fabulous advice to job seekers. This blog post offers some great pointers, I included the points, but read his actual post for the detailed insights on each of them. Please forward the info on to anyone you know entering the job market anytime...that might be you (perhaps you should get registered with C2 if that's the case), or someone you know.

1. Write an amazing cover letter.
2. Zero errors
3. Tell me what have you done ... specifically.
4. Can you do THIS job?
5. Don't take the wrong job just to get in the door.
6. It's about me, not you.
7. Show industry expertise and interest.

Speaking of getting a job, in the last week I've been invited to join a new social network called NotchUp.com. It's an interesting concept, you post your profile and indicate if you're an active or passive candidate, then you determine your "asking price" for an interview. If a company is seriously interested in you, they offer to interview and agree to pay the asking price. I set up a profile out of curiosity ONLY (the employer site beta launches March 1). I was able to download my LinkedIn profile and make modifications easily. The most compelling area of the site (in my opinion) was the rationale statement to employers for using NotchUp. Essentially they're competing with recruiting firms, trying to eliminate recruiters from the equation. It won't work for all hiring managers, but it's an novel approach and reinforces yet again the power of social networks. This may change the landscape of recruiting...

Video is the future!!

Call me Nostradamus, a prophet...call me what you will (and I know I'm not the first to say this)... VIDEO (on the internet) IS THE FUTURE OF MARKETING!! So is social marketing. Add the two together and BLAMO! SUCCESS! (can you tell I'm excited? when is the last time you saw so many capitalized words and exclamation points?)

What brings me to this conclusion? A confluence of presentations by professional organizations like Spreenkler, BMA-Milwaukee (most recently Sarah Robbins from Mediasauce got B-to-B marketers really thinking about this very topic, the place was buzzing with energy about all the opportunities!), American Marketing Association and Madison Advertising Federation AND some recent (really cool) personal experiences with sites like Youtube, LinkedIn, Ning and Facebook.

Today Casey Payne (internet video genius) sent me the CLINCHER, a video/animation compilation of silly internet characters that have become part of pop culture. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pPCkhYMQgY

Now I ask you, oh wise blog reader: How do companies parlay all of this compelling content (that has quickly penetrated into our collective conscience) into marketing and sales efforts? I want to hear from you!

I also have some thoughts and resources that I'll be sharing over the next few weeks, because I believe that video is the future!

professional recognition

Yesterday I received two professional design award books in the mail. The first, from Business Marketing Association, showed off the 2007 Pro-Comm awards winners, featuring the best business-to-business marketing efforts from across the US. The second was the AIGA 365 awards book. It was packed with design awards from identity to book covers. Very cool.

I was thrilled to see a few local agencies in both award books. Stephan and Brady won a BMA Silver Sledgehammer and Bader Rutter won at least 6 across several categories. Planet Propaganda won a couple AIGA 365 awards, as did a solo designer, Hans, from Wauwatosa. Check them out at the BMA site or the AIGA site.

Inspirational. Designers love to check out what our profession deems "the best," gleaning new ideas from the cutting edge and just plain brilliant pieces featured. Many designers then ask, "why don't we (my company and I) enter these awards?" A fire is lit, several fires actually...the fire to create award-winning design as well as the fire to enter existing award-winning design. What a great time to light those fires! Three local award shows are either taking entries now or will be soon.

Madison Advertising Federation (part of District 8 of the AAF) accepts Addy entries January 10 & 11. All show details available at SuperSweetCreative.com. It's a hilarious site, poking accurate yet tongue and cheek jabs at all who dare prepare entries for the Addys. Good stuff.

BMA-Milwaukee launch their Bell Awards promotions soon, calling for entries for their show on April 10.

Want to show off your inner artist? Enter the Eisner Museum's XO (I Love The Eisner) 250 Square Feet of Art competition! Go to the Eisner and grab a 1' x 1 ' board and create a visual masterpiece. In the past people have transformed the boards into lamps, clocks, sculptures, painings, framed photos and more. You can enter the juried competition or just submit your board to be sold at the annual Eisner fundraiser, the XO. It's art with a purpose.

What's my point? Seeing the best of the best makes our entire profession better. Individuals and organizations understand the benchmark they work against. And plenty of opportunities to enter work (and win personal and professional recognition) exist...So, light that fire!