A Constant State of Sell
It may be a harsh and cruel thing to say, but nonetheless it is a true saying. In the business of recruiting, you’re only as good as you give. No matter the name on the door, a customer will stay a customer based on the results you produce. So it goes without saying that you must ALWAYS produce and to do that you must always remain in a state of sell. What do I mean by that? Every action from the day you decide to go into business must revolve around the selling of your services.
Recruiting is a people-intensive occupation. You must connect with as many people as possible and brand your service in their minds so effectively, that your name becomes synonymous with recruiting. Let’s do a little word association shall we? When you hear Billy Graham, you think of faith (or at least church). I say Colonel Sanders and you say chicken. Bill Gates brings computers to mind and so on. Despite the diversity of their achievements, they have each made their name synonymous with their trade. You should do the same thing! How? Glad you asked!
Here is a list of what you can do!
A. Create a business card with a picture of your face and a catch phrase. Have on the business card a short, simple, memorable phrase that identifies you and what you do. For example, when I was on the hunt all of my cards said: “Jim Stroud, I recruit therefore I am.” It also helped that my face was on the card (remembering me was easier since people had a face to go with a name versus the other business cards they collected).
B. Cellphone/Voicemail marketing is simple, cheap and effective. When people called me I responded with a commercial. Instead of just saying “hello,” I answered, “Jim Stroud, I recruit therefore I am.” If they get my voicemail, I not only repeat my catch phrase but also add how they can visit my website at www.jimstroud.com and/or email me at: jimstroud@jimstroud.com.
C. A Vanity Domain is a crucial step as well. When you set up an Internet presence for your business. Buy 2 domains - the first domain could read XYZ Staffing and list the services you provide. The second domain would be your name and should automatically redirect to your XYZ Staffing domain. Keep in mind that more people will remember your name moreso than the enterprise you represent, especially when you are just starting out. For example, which is more famous, Harpo Entertainment or its owner, “Oprah Winfrey”? By constantly promoting your name you begin to exist beyond a corporate structure and are recognized as an identifiable person, a celebrity if you will. And once you become a celebrity, everyone wants to know you then (smile).
D. Contact your contacts and let them know what you are doing! Send everyone you know an email and then follow-up with a phone call afterwards. If you get a voicemail, that’s okay... Say your tagline, “This is Jim Stroud and I recruit therefore I am. Just calling to touch base, blah, blah, blah...”
E. Introduce yourself by your tagline. For example, at networking events, parties and supermarket checkout lines I introduced myself as “Hi! I’m Jim Stroud and I recruit therefore I am.” How is that for a conversation starter? Whenever people heard me say that, I always got a reaction as it subconsciously prodded people to reveal their occupations to me. More importantly, doing so initiated a connection.
F. Meet the press on every occasion. Do you remember “The Clever Rule of 3” from the last chapter? In most magazines (if not all) there is a comments section. Comment on an article but in a sly way. Mention how the article is significant to your business and what you do. It does not have to be a long response, but it does have to be interesting on some level (keep in mind that comments are chosen from amongst several other letters that are sent in). At the very end of your comment BE SURE to add your name and tagline.
Here is an example to inspire you:
Dear Wireless Professional Magazine,
I read with great interest your article “802.11x is the future!” As a recruiter of Wireless professionals, I often hear how this protocol will shape communications for years to come. Your article was dead on target!
Jim Stroud, I recruit therefore I am.
jimstroud@xyzstaffing.com
Okay, so it’s not Shakespeare, but it does not have to be. It only needs to get in print and be seen by other Wireless Professionals who will either solicit your service or become potential candidates for you.
Is this all you do to get your name out into the market? Certainly not, but hopefully it inspired some marketing creativity within you. The idea of it all is to become a memorable personality, just like any other star in Hollywood.
