Want to be recognized as an industry expert? Writing and producing a newsletter is a fantastic way to do just that. Here’s how you can make it happen:
1. Share Best Practices and Your Insights
Creating a newsletter doesn’t mean you need to invent groundbreaking content. Just summarize industry best practices, sprinkle in your personal experiences or comments, and send it out. Providing useful and topical information makes employers remember your name, making them more likely to take your call. And when they need someone with your expertise, guess who they’ll think of first? You!
2. Keep it Short and Sweet
Your newsletter should be between 1-4 pages. Summarize longer articles and direct readers to your website for the full text. This keeps your newsletter easy to read and drives traffic to your online platform.
3. Make it Look Good Without Spending a Fortune
You don’t need a big budget to make your newsletter look professional. Use pre-printed paper from companies like Paper Direct to add a polished touch without breaking the bank.
4. Go Digital
Create an electronic version of your newsletter and upload it to your website. This not only saves on printing costs but also makes it easy to share.
Skeptical? Don’t be. Everyone takes the expert’s call. Try these steps today and see the difference!
The Importance of Thank You Notes, Even When You Don’t Get the Job
It’s Friday, Guerrilla! Friday is the perfect day for two things:
1. Booking interviews for next week.
2. Filling your opportunity pipeline.
It’s also a great day to reflect on your job hunt progress. Think about:
– What progress have you made this week?
– Which employers will you speak with next week?
– How did your interviews go?
One crucial step that often gets overlooked is sending thank you notes to everyone you talked to, even if you didn’t get the job. This is an untapped source of leads. Here’s why:
The Power of a Simple Thank You
Think about this: Have you ever received a thank you card from someone you didn’t hire? What was your reaction? Most CEOs and hiring managers appreciate this gesture. It shows professionalism and leaves a positive impression.
Generating Leads from Rejections
People who turn you down can be valuable sources of leads. They know which companies are hiring and can offer insights into the competitive landscape. Follow up with a thank you note expressing sincere gratitude for their time and your interest in staying in touch. Five days after sending the note, give them a call and ask who among their colleagues has plans to:
– Increase sales this quarter.
– Take market share from competitors.
– Open new markets.
PS: They also know where the person they hired is coming from. Think about that.
Embrace Change: Temporary Work and Career Stability
Veteran Ottawa Citizen Reporter Juliet O’Neil has delivered a brilliant 5-part series on the phenomenon of temporary workers entitled “Trapped & Temporary.” It’s a must-read. “Temping, Contracting, and Offshoring” are here to stay as permanent fixtures in the North American employment scene.
Here’s what you can count on:
1. The offshoring trend won’t stop anytime soon.
2. Companies will continue to maximize profits and reduce costs.
3. The government will provide limited retraining assistance at best.
Is Your Job at Risk?
Your job is at risk of being replaced by a “temp” if:
1. It can be broken down into smaller tasks for lower-skilled, lower-paid workers.
2. Your company’s profits are under constant assault by low-cost competitors.
3. Someone with a high-school education can do your job with minimal training.
Take Charge of Your Career
Start managing your career as a professional services provider of YOU INC. Learn to:
– Brand yourself.
– Increase your value.
– Ensure a steady stream of demand for your unique talents.
As Charles Darwin said, “It’s not the strongest of the species, nor the most intelligent, that survive; it’s the one most responsive to change.”
Embrace these strategies and take control of your professional destiny today!
