Hasta La Creative!

I’m part of a great movement, a swelling tide of humanity that Like-it-or-Not has become un-engaged with that thing called work. Another unwashed, unkempt food line patron, or the bearded man begging for change. I’ve been labeled by the media: UN-EM-PLOYED.

I am not complaining, rather, explaining an “awakening” (whatev!).

Unemployment is humbling and life altering, one day a contributor, the next, not so much. In between panhandling, emailing resumes that no one sees, calling people that cannot help you, and begging those that will not, there is actually some time to think. What could I have done better, how should I have positioned myself, and why didn’t I take that job last year at that other agency? I have also started reading more.

Occasionally, a book will come along and floor me with it’s brilliance, shake me out of my stupor. Like icy water. Well, guess what? That book has not come out yet. However, I did read a fantastic article on how to brand yourself so that you can avoid getting laid off…a little too late for me. The article is short; the writer part of my LinkedIn “circle.” From brief “run-ins” with him via email or in seedy chatrooms, he seems to walk the walk. His name is Dan Scwabel, and you can follow him on LinkedIn, Twitter, VisualCV, and JobFox (I am actually proud of myself—I am part of all four, although only two have been finalized).

Here are Dan’s Top Ten Suggestions:

1. Become an invaluable asset to your colleagues, professional
network & clients
2. Position yourself as the go-to-person for a specific skill
3. Gain self-confidence and rise to the occasion
4. Focus on social equity, not just monetary equity
5. Build contact lists before you need them
6. Go on a branding spree by advertising it everywhere
7. Make your brand so visible that people can’t avoid seeing you
8. Become so remarkable that complete strangers talk about you
my favorite
9. Be a content producer, not just a consumer
10. Have an “endorsement mindset”

Last but not least, and possibly one of the most important things to keep in mind, is the power of positive endorsements. Collect endorsements throughout your life like you would collect baseball cards. You are the chief marketing officer for the brand called you, but what others say about your brand is more impactful than what you say about yourself.

I am better for reading it…additionally, now I know who I am going to pester all week…

Jeff Louis is a Strategic Media Planner, Project Manager, and New Business Coordinator. His passion is writing, contributing to BMA as well as freelancing. He’d love to hear from you: linkedin.com/in/jefflouis, or twitter.com/jlo0312.