Are You Madonna or Some No Name Artist?

I was having lunch with Jen Way (job-search and recruiting trainer extraordinaire) a couple of weeks ago and we ended up talking for a couple of minutes about Madonna and other artists like her that might not have the best voice or the most talent but do a phenomenal job marketing themselves and create an unmatched stage persona. 

That got me to thinking – in your job-function and industry are you like Madonna (respected, known, sought after) or are you a no name artist that is talented but often looked over and still trying to get the power-players attention?

Here are a few lessons you can learn from Madonna and celebrities everywhere:

• If you look important online  and have something interesting to say others will be attracted to you and want to see what happens next (utilize LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to your advantage and learn the ins and outs of how to market through them)
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• If you are an innovator in your area and are willing to let others share in your knowledge you will become a go to resource (start a blog and put your thoughts and ideas out there and then market the heck out of it)
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• Study what has made other similar people in your area succesful and learn from them as much as possible (networking)
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• Be seen at all of the right places, functions, and events (join and/or attend professional associations and organizations and step up and volunteer at them)

Right now you get to make the decision on who you want to be. Do you want to stand in someone else’s shadow forever or do you want people in your function/industry to aspire to be you?

Until next time – good hunting and good luck!