You didn’t think we’d go there, did ya? Well, actually, we aren’t going there. Instead…
Everyone has gotten into the act, it seems. Not Clint Eastwood’s act (much discussed; his appearance at the Republican National Convention on August 30), but the “5 of these” and “10 of those” list act.
Inc. Magazine proves that these are popular – why, just look at this screengrab of today’s “Most Viewed” from the inc.com site.
And these sorts of lists were ON FIRE during the London Olympics, with just about everyone getting into the act.
My personal favorite was from friend and fellow marketer Olivier Blanchard, whose The Brand Builder poked fun rather eloquently at this phenomenon. Here’s the link: 10 Lessons or Something, Olympics, Blah Blah Blah.
News Flash: This is Not an “18 Things”…Post
Now that we drew you in with the clever title, what is it we’re really wanting to talk about?
How To Prove You’re Worth It
That’s right, we’re going to give you a couple of tips to prove – to your employer, to your client, to your prospective employer, to anyone – that you are, indeed, worth it. Here goes.
1. Don’t Compare.
Let’s say you’re jumping into the fray on some contract work, and you’re the leader in the clubhouse. How do you come up with a number that isn’t going to make them balk?
Start by not comparing yourself to established players, or competitors, or, for that matter, anyone else.
It’s easy to get caught up in the “well, if the big boys did this they’d charge X” game. But you’re not the big boys (or girls) and that is irrelevant in this conversation anyway, because you’re not competing against them. Even if you are technically competing with them.
It’s about communicating your own unique value.
2. Look. In. The. Mirror.
There’s something compelling about you. Something that makes you unique. Something that will win you this business, this promotion, this chance to prove to the boss that you can do more than just make coffee.
If you haven’t taken a good POSITIVE long look at yourself, then please do so.
3. Communicate the Value of Acting Immediately
Act Now, Operators Are Standing By!
They aren’t, but another way of looking at this…what is the cost of inaction?
(An interesting take is here from Fast Company: “The $1.3 Trillion Price of Not Tweeting.”)
Sitting on the sidelines costs people every day. It cost me: I was prattling on and on about how Groupon was over-valued, and how I’d buy a whole bunch of put options. I didn’t, those options would be valuable right now, and…well, it’s because I didn’t act immediately that I’m missing out.
This isn’t about whether hiring you (or giving you the promotion or letting you take a crack at the project) is better than hiring the other gal. (Or guy.)
This is about how ACTING NOW is the most prudent thing they can do, short- and long-term.
4. It’s About Contribution
We’ve talked to tons of people about their digital marketing, social media, public relations, communications, and general business strategy. Some have signed up with us, some haven’t.
But in looking back, the situations where we DID get the project were the ones where we were able to show what SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTION we would make. “Because we know X, Y, and Z, we can make an IMMEDIATE CONTRIBUTION to the success of the project.”
How will you contribute?
