Marketing Launch Society Podcast

Twice today I had a conversation about how valuable investing in yourself with professional development is. Two other people - not just me - shared how impactful professional development has been in improving their skillset or advancing their career. Today's podcast reminds you of this and shares a short clip from an online ad executive as he shares his personal recommendation for investing in yourself. 

This title makes it sound like I'm about to give you a cheat, but I promise today's tip is not only ethical but extremely valuable. I am encouraging you to invest in yourself and get out there to attend a thriving live conference. There are marketing conferences all around the county and world on almost every topic focus your heart could desire. Learning from others who have already gone ahead of you and are now willingly sharing thier insights and tips for success is so amazing and will transform your career! 

In most situations, you will be shown to a waiting area, quite possibly directly within the eye gaze of the receptionist, administrative assistant, etc. as you wait for your interview with the hiring manager. 

Here are a few ways you can make the most of your wait, to bring an extra wow factor to your first impression. Because here’s the truth of the situation. The hiring manager will ask the front person for their initial feedback on you. So get it right! 

http://marketinglaunchsociety.com/podcast20 

On your resume, LinkedIn Profile, etc. you have the opportunity to lead with a power statement about yourself. Often times I see people waste this space saying something generic like their title in that line. For example, I just saw someone’s LinkedIn headline reading, “Store Manager and then the name of the company.”

That’s so boring and it doesn’t really tell what you are capable of doing or why someone should care.

How will you label yourself so that you point out who you serve and what value you can create? Will you hone in on an area of expertise? Will you state what you are seeking in your career?

Consider how valuable this one headline is at enticing people to check out your online profile or read over your resume. Don’t waste it being vague or restating a job title. And say what you need to say in 10 words or less for full visibility on the main screen. You have slightly more room than that to expand on your description when they click on your profile.

http://marketinglaunchsociety.com/podcast19 

Online job applications have become the norm for expressing your interest in a position. But are they the most effective way to landing a job? I wholeheartedly believe they are not. Today I'm sharing a clip from an upcoming video series in which I walk you through more effective means for letting employers know of your availability, skillset, and value. But for right now, dive into this clip as I discuss the first job in marketing I ever landed and how it came about through connection, not an application. 

At a business conference this past year, Rachel Hollis asked us to raise our hands if we weren’t the prettiest, most popular girl in our seventh-grade class. Without a doubt, my hand went up. Seventh grade was a transition year for me and I looked worse at 12 than I ever have at any other stage of life.

She asked us to keep our hands up if we felt like we would never be as “perfect” as that popular girl had been.

As I’m holding up my hand, my mind begins reminding me of all the things I never was. I wasn’t that tiny waisted, seamlessly flawless and overly confident cheerleader with perfectly flat blond hair, rolled jeans, and a scrunchie on her wrist with a Jansport® backpack.

It has been 27 years since I was in the seventh grade and my memories can still surface like I was just walking the halls of Woodside Middle School yesterday. I think that’s why Rachel brought it up in her speech. She knows she’s not the only one who has allowed experiences in her adolescence to impact how she views herself as an adult.

Listen to today's podcast to find out how working through these lingering emotions can help you overcome your challenges, forget your fears, and push forward for a stronger career. 

http://marketinglaunchsociety.com/podcast17

This Christmas season will you fall in line with the materialistic version of an American Christmas pushing yourself to the extreme or will you focus in on a time of peace, reflection, and gratitude in light of the true meaning of Christmas?

Life is too short to get caught in things that take away your joy and hold you back, focus in on all the ways you can be thankful this Christmas and count your blessings. Even better, find a way to be a blessing by serving others. You’ll feel amazing when you do.

Blessings to you this Christmas!

Two focus words for you today. Intention and alignment. 

Use these two practices to make sure you accomplish your goals (and set the right goals). 

Apprenticeships are not new. Plumbers, electricians, artists, and craft trades have been training up the next generation through apprenticeships for decades. Family-run businesses follow much this same model as they groom their children to take on leadership in the business. Even looking back into history books will show you that the apprentice model was followed as a way to raise up future employees.

It’s the ideal way to learn on the job, develop the training and insights you need to thrive through hands-on work, mentorship, and practical training. It’s the most robust model of acquiring a trade (skillset).

If all the other criteria were the same, I would hire the person who has the proven training and skills from working on the job vs. someone just graduating with a degree in hand. This is the whole premise as to why I created Marketing Launch Society - to empower marketing students to get more experience and training so they can powerfully compete in the marketplace.

For more info on Marketing Launch Society visit: http://marketinglaunchsociety.com/ 

Note: Before recording this podcast, I wrote about this topic as an article that is published on LinkedIn. If you want to read the article or share with others, here is the link: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/apprenticeship-classic-effective-way-launch-your-career-edwards/ 

Today I'm excited to introduce you to Joi Brown who graduated 10 years ago with a degree in graphic design, pursued a career as a designer, and naturally found her way into marketing – where she now serves as the marketing manager of a non-profit. She offers you great insights into: 

It's a fantastic interview you're going to get a lot of value from.