Thursday, February 26, 2009

Create a Buzz: Build Your Brand with Video

I've just discovered a great resource to create videos called Animoto. It's a user-friendly site that enables you to upload relevant images about yourself or your brand, and include a fun music track. I created this short video about InStep Consulting and our approach to test the functionality.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Coach Colette to Speak at Women For Hire DC Expo

I'm really excited about my upcoming presentation this Thursday at the Women for Hire Career Expo in Washington DC. Ironically, when asked to "pitch" my presentation, I decided to focus on Create a Buzz: Brand Yourself in 140-Characters (or less). You may recall that this was the subject of a recent blog post.

Well, I really had to practice what I'd pitched. How? After being accepted as a speaker, the marketing coordinator asked me for a 1-sentence bio and a 2-sentence description of my breakout seminar! I kid you not. Learning how to create short, compelling pitches is a skill you'll want to master whether you're in the job market or looking to reach new clients for your business.

Want to know what I wrote?
Title of presentation: Create a Buzz: Brand Yourself in 140-Characters or Less
1 sentence bio: “Coach Colette” Ellis helps leaders leverage their passion, power and relationships to achieve their personal and professional goals.
2 sentence description: If you’re looking for a new job, you’re engaging in self-marketing, and the product is YOU! Learn how to create a compelling pitch for your “brand” and use Social Media/Networking to help promote your goals and accomplishments.

If you know of any women job seekers in the DC area, please encourage them to attend this fantastic, FREE career expo. I'm looking forward to being amongst a group of fabulous movers-and-shakers who want to achieve meaningful results in their careers!

Monday, February 09, 2009

How Do You Keep Your Brand On the Grid?

What are you doing to keep your brand - personal or professional - on people's radar? Given that we're all being bombarded with messages from so many sources, how do you keep people in your network informed (but not overwhelmed) about your goals?

I'd invite you to listen, download and share my latest podcast called: How to Stay on the Grid: Networking 2.0. This is a discussion with Adrian Miller, President & Founder of Adrian Miller Sales Training.

In this podcast, we discuss the new rules of the game of networking 2.0 - which is about more than just using various social media tools, like Twitter or Facebook. Adrian and I talk about the difference between linear and circular networking, and explain which approach can be more effective in helping you to become a true connector. And, when you listen, you'll find out why being a connector is a crucial component to your personal and professional success.

So, take a listen and get some concrete tips on how to take your networking skills to the next level. You may also want to read an interesting article on Identifying Your Networking Strengths and Weaknesses by Ivan Miser.

After you have listened to the podcast and read the article, share your networking success stories - tweet me or post them in the comments.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

What's Your 140-Character Pitch?

What ARE you doing to promote your personal or professional brand - in 140 characters or less? I'm sure you've gotten quite prolific at texting or tweeting your latest commuting adventure, weekend escapade, famous person sighting, etc. in 140 characters or less.

But, can you use Twitter and/or other microblogging sites to create a buzz about what you're REALLY doing -- or perhaps seeking -- in your life?

The idea for this post hit me this morning around 7:15 AM [long story]; so I decided to Google careers in 140 characters. And, I discovered some interesting things. I came across a tweeter called The Media is Hiring, who "helps media employees who have been laid off find new work 140 characters at a time."

I also found a story about a woman named Chelsea Winkel who apparently found her job via connections she made on Twitter. Of course, when you read the story, you'll see that it took a bit more than just creating a Twitter account. Her Problem Solved blog and website both explain how she can add value in her industry. But, the connection with her new employer was sparked via Twitter.

Seems like Chelsea took Stephen Baker's advice from his Business Week Blogspotting blog, when he challenged us last May to write 140 character resumes for ourselves and famous people.

In essence, we're all now challenged to come up with 140-character pitches (instead of 30-second elevator speeches). As you know, I aim to practice what I preach, walk the talk, etc. So, I've come up with my (initial) 140-character pitch: "Coach Colette helps business leaders leverage their power, passion and relationships to achieve meaningful results in 140-characters or less."

What do you think? Tweet me your 140-character pitch at Coach_Colette.