Marketing Me! Gitomer and personal branding

I am re-reading Gitomer "Little Red Book of Sales".

First lesson is you should review and read over old material often. I know it sounds crazy, but when ever I get down or feel at loose ends, I dig out a classic like Little Red Book or Never Eat Alone and get back on track.

One of the points Gitomer makes again and again is big sales (and jobs) got to those who market themselves and their personal brand. We have been saying that for years at Marketing Me!

One suggestion he makes is to register your name as a domain name. Jeffrey has at www.gitomer.com. I checked for my name, but someone else grabbed it about a million years ago in internet time, so I registered a few others instead.

I always use GoDaddy for my registrations and so far have registered about a dozen or so domains for different projects I am working on. The name is important because that is how your customers, prospects, employers and contracts will find you.

.com .org .info biz. .us .mobi .tv .ws .name .cc .de .jp .be .at .co.uk .me.uk .org.uk .co.nz .net.nz .org.nz .cn .com.cn .org.cn .net.cn .tw .com.tw .org.tw .idv.tw .jobs .eu .fm .ms .nu .tc .tk .vg

There are still many domain names available and getting the right name is not hard. I like using GoDaddy because of their excellent customer service - I mean it's good. They call me after every transaction on their website and constantly offer discounts on renewals and new products.

Once you have your name established, be ready to build a site which reflects you and your product well. I cannot stress how important it is to have the right look and feel to your web site or blog which will attract visitors and regular readers.

I use Linked In, Plaxo and other online networking tools to direct prospects to me rather than my company. Customers buy and companies hire individuals, not corporations!

Network and market yourself constantly for best affect. Pick up Jeffrey's book for a great list of ways to do this effectively!

Happy hunting!

Marketing Me! Goodbye letters and emails

Saw this on Jobacle today. All about goodbye emails at the office.

There are some great points included in this entry and if you are about to leave the present position and are the type to share your thoughts with the department or company at large - please visit this site first!

I have seen my fair share of goodbye emails - fortunately, I never sent one myself. Goodbye emails are sappy emotional outbursts which do more harm than good.

First, you are leaving the company/job. Once gone, you will be remembered, in most cases, for about five minutes after your exit.

Second, a wise man once counselled, "let your reputation grow hair before you brag about it". In other words, let your name become legend amongst former co-workers - if you were worth it.

Next, why are you marketing yourself to former co-workers? After all, sending that goodbye email is exactly what you are trying to do; making sure nobody forgets you or the valuable contributions you made. If you were so valuable, your work speaks for itself.

Finally, don't leave former co-workers with anything which might be misconstrued or could be used against you in the future. A goodbye email fraught with emotion and tears might be remembered as a sign of a demented unstable person. Not the type of referral you had planned on.

Here is the secret. Put in your notice, be pleasant and go away. You will be much more happy if you follow this advice.

Happy hunting!