When new business comes my way, I always want to understand where it came from. How did someone I don’t know in another state come to find me, contact me and trust me enough to work on his or her career marketing materials? A new potential client who contacted me this week illustrates why knowing this and having an online strategy are so important.
My marketing efforts include Resu-mazing Services Company’s website, memberships in the PARW/CC and the Better Business Bureau, activity on LinkedIn, placement on search engines like Google Places, my blog (that you are reading now), and some other local efforts. I also rely on referrals, something that only happens when I do quality work for my clients. Of course, people can review my work and tell the world on Kudzu and Google Places. This new client found Resu-mazing by doing a Google search, checking me out on LinkedIn, and reading the blog article that included the Uncle Rico picture.
The lesson is clear: You never know how people will find you and your company. You never know what material they will find and read, and if that person doesn’t select you as a potential vendor, business partner or employee, you will not know. There will be an abundance of silence.
Know this: Everything you do online is connected, searchable and subject to the closest scrutiny. Others will make decisions about you and decide to contact you – or not – based on what they find. Consider this as you make your next entry on the various social media sites. Will it help or hinder your reputation? As we all become more aware of the value of these tools, they will continue to gain importance. Develop the skills to be effective in this environment or get help. It’s not going away!
Work: Getting It & Keeping It 