What is the Elf on the Shelf? Unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably seen this toy taking the holidays by storm for years now. But what makes it a total sensation that people love (or love to hate)? And what can it teach you about how you communicate your own professional story? 

Today I have a holiday themed episode for you and we're going to be talking about powerful branding lessons from the Elf on the Shelf children’s Christmas experience. The little guy uses some basic marketing fundamentals very, very well – and is a great illustration of how this can work for your personal brand too! I’ve got eight core tips for you – four in this episode, and four coming up next week. 

In this episode of The Career Rx we’ll discuss:

• The importance of being memorable
• How it helps to build on something already familiar (especially if your work is novel)
• How to use curiosity to do much of the work for you
• What makes you the ‘can’t miss’ product, service, or expert 
  
  

These first four examples from Elf on the Shelf will help you stay top of mind for your skill and expertise, whether marketing yourself  to your boss or marketing your services to new clients. These are simple concepts to help wrap up your ideas and present them in a fun and easy to understand way. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss the second part coming next week.

“Go ahead and be confident and be bold.” - Marjorie Stiegler

In this Episode: 

[1:55] Basic marketing ideas and how they apply to anything, even Elf on the Shelf

[2:35] Forget clever. It’s better to be catchy, easy to remember, and recognizable!

[4:40] Build upon something familiar to your intended audience

[5:55] Using well known concepts to introduce something new to the market (shout out to Steve Jobs, too)

[7:00] What makes Elf on the Shelf something you ‘have to have’? Hint – it is NOT the physical toy.  

[9:00] The right dose of curiosity turns you into an opportunity magnet 

[10:45] No hedging. But absolutely deliver on your promise!

[12:30] Write this list down and check it twice – and don’t forget to tune in for Part 2

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