Self-marketing for employees

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In a time of recession, many employees see a growing need to show their value to their managers in order to secure their place in a time when you never know which company is going to downsize. The most sophisticated of them know how to extend their efforts outside the organization to competitors, partners and customers who may become a target for job hunting in case of cutbacks. The really sophisticated ones know how to expand their self-promotion circles also through family, school friends and social networks in order to improve their chances of finding good offers when needed.

Unfortunately, many employees (especially those who are not engaged in sales) are mistaken in two basic concepts:

• Self-marketing is not necessarily self-advertising
  Self-marketing is sometimes seen as something flashy, pushy and mass, but the truth is that walking around and showing off is bad self-marketing. It is much better to call the customer and ask how he is using your product (because you want to check that he is satisfied) or ask the boss for feedback on a project you have completed. This will make him tell - and thus remind himself - the good things you represent. As a bonus, he will also see you as an attentive business partner and an empathetic person.
• Self-marketing takes time to make an impact
  The idea of proper marketing is to find a natural situation to make people appreciate you. Unfortunately, such quotes do not appear by themselves just because you need them. Sometimes it is necessary to wait for the right situation.
  Moreover, the same reason of waiting for the right opportunity makes marketing to the wider circle (second hand marketing people who pass on what you told them) take much longer to happen.

From this it follows that self-marketing is something that should be done in advance: think about it precisely if you think that your organization is stable and that you are not in danger. There are two reasons for this:

• At the last minute it doesn't work
  Many people only remember to do self-marketing when rumors of layoffs fly. At this stage it is often too late -

1. Everyone does it, so you get swallowed up
2. It is clear that you are reacting to rumors and therefore you are perceived as urgent

• Self-marketing of an employee is much more convincing than that of an unemployed person
  Simply because self-marketing is sometimes seen as a matter of pride (when you tell your cousin that his wife works for your competitors on the successful project you completed) or as a natural part of your activity in the organization (when you send a thank you letter to a supplier).

So how do you do self-marketing right?  Here is a list of tips and tools

• Self-marketing in front of an audience
  Don't get off the stage without asking the audience for something
• Self-marketing in regular contacts (one-on-one)
  Every person you meet can help you or know someone who can help you
• Self-marketing in writing and on the Internet
  If the recipient doesn't feel like you're trying to sell to them, is it still marketing?
• Self-marketing through lectures
  A lecture is a great place to get people to know you

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