In the world of business and marketing, there is one thing you need to be able to sell better than anything else. And that is Yourself.
You might be thinking, why does selling myself matter if I am selling a product? Well to even get the job in the first place you need to get hired. You are a brand in your own right and you need to market yourself to the business world as best you can. But it can be difficult. A lot of the more traditional tactics that you can employ in marketing don’t apply to market yourself.
So that’s why we are here. We have compiled 7 helpful and winning tips to better market yourself and your brand.
Appearance
This is a rule for you and your products. First impressions are important. And the first impression you make is often always based on how you look. When you show up to a meeting. When you wait in a waiting room for your interview to start. How you dress and style yourself is important. Hygiene is key. Smelling nice and being clean. After that, you will want to invest in some nice clothing and a decant haircut as well.
Logo
If you are selling a brand alongside yourself you will want to invest in a quality logo as well. It is worth spending a fair bit of money on a top-end graphic designer to really create something brilliant. If you are the head of a company and represent the entire brand, you could also consider matching your appearance with the theme of the logo. It will help stick your image in the minds of the public and especially in your investors.
Interpersonal Skills
The business might seem like it is all about the money. But in reality, it is all about people. No matter what you do, you will be dealing with people. And you need to make sure your communication skills are up to snuff. Perhaps you are a real-estate agent and need to entice potential house buyers. A friendly smile and a good attitude are step one in securing a sale. Perhaps you are meeting potential investors. A firm handshake and witty responses will help charm them.
Keep Up With Trends
This is an often-overlooked skill, but one worth investing in. If you are aware of the latest fashion and what people are currently buying, you will have an edge over your competitors and will be able to win over investors. If you can confidently talk about what is currently a good investment and what isn’t, and prove you can manage your brand around that, you are more likely to succeed.
Know Your Competitors
This one ties into your interpersonal skills. Knowing your competitors is about more than simply who you are up against. You will want to meet them and even get on friendly terms with them. The first advantage of this is, of course, to be kept aware of what they are up to and get insider tips.
But another advantage is that new competitors are always popping up in the world of business. And the enemy of your enemy is your friend. Insider information is valuable, so keeping on friendly terms with anyone who can provide you with some is a valuable friend to have.
Laughs Sell
Think about the most popular TED talks you have seen. Then think about any famous keynote speakers that have left an impression on you. I guarantee the ones you are thinking of had one thing in common. They were most likely quite funny, alongside being informative.
When you have to sell something, especially yourself, if you can make someone laugh then you have them on the hook. But comedy is difficult. It is as much an art as oil-painting. So it can’t hurt to have a few good jokes in the back pocket. You will also want to work on your improv skills, so you can make people laugh on the fly.
Upsell
We don’t just mean upselling your product. In the world of business upselling is one of the most powerful tools you have. And if you can upsell yourself, you are on the right track to succeed.
If you are gunning for a promotion, you will want to subtly upsell yourself. You need to let people know about your skills and achievements, without coming off as braggy or full-of-yourself. If you can get this skill down you will soon find yourself flying up the ladder of your chosen career.
And upselling skills can be applied to any products or brand you are trying to sell as well. If you want to stay competitive in the business world, you will need to upsell.