Simple tools to help you to gain confidence and attract the right decision-makers to your business or your career.
As an executive career management consultant and executive resume strategist, it surprises me that over the years most of my highly successful technology executives and CTOs struggle with simple marketing communications with their own professional networks.
Many of my clients negotiate millions of dollars to fund enterprise-wide cyber security solutions for their companies or their own businesses, but struggle when they need to negotiate for or market themselves.
If you have this same struggle, the following three strategies will power your career marketing engine.
Email script to ask for a face-to-face meeting with your network for potential business or job opportunities:
“Dear Elon,
I am writing today to ask you for your help. I would like to invite you for lunch next week to garner your insight into the growing cybersecurity industry. I read your article in the Globe & Mail last week and it really piqued my interest. I have a specific interest in cybersecurity and would like to garner your expertise in this area. It would be very good to catch up. I value your expertise and look forward to hearing from you.”
For an excellent and short primer on networking for executives, see this Harvard Business Review article.
Email signature block:
An even simpler marketing tool that executives seldom leverage is the email signature block. Whether you are confidentially looking for another job opportunity, are in business for yourself, or you are currently between opportunities, the email signature block can tell an important story about your unique value proposition.
JP Morgans | Chief Technology Officer
High-Growth Start-ups to $10M
Expertise: E-Commerce | Payment Systems | Cybersecurity Programs
Multiple Industry Awards
Eastern US+ | 212.212.1221
jpmorgans@nmail.com
Use this when you are (1) in business for yourself (2) are in transition or (3) are confidentially looking for another opportunity. In this case, of course, this will be your personal email signature block.
Voice mail greeting:
“This is JP Morgans, Chief Technology Officer for high-growth start-ups in the eastern US region. I have achieved hundreds of millions in avoided costs for companies I serve. Please leave your contact information and reason for connecting and I will return your call.”
Here are the guidelines:
- No more than 20 seconds long.
- Write it down.
- Stand up and strike a power pose.
- Smile 🙂
- Practice the message.
- S L O W down…
Recruiters, investors, potential clients, and decision-makers will feel your energy and confidence.
You could be missing out on ideal business or executive job opportunities by overlooking these simple but powerful business development opportunities.
See this short article by one of my favorite marketing companies, HubSpot for a primer on voicemails.
For excellent advice from my childhood icon:
“The difference between winning and losing is most often not quitting.”
– Walt Disney
Photo © racorn / depositphotos
