I truly believe that marketing The Interview Doctor is a lot like marketing a job search or marketing to find talent. Consultants like us, candidates, and companies trying to find candidates are all trying to build relationships that lead to something – either a new client, a new job, or great talent to add to the mix.
The key is building a relationship.
We are adding contacts like crazy to our LinkedIn profiles and identifying people we want to talk to. But then what?
We have to follow up. Follow up is critical.
We all can recognize the futile conversation ender when you ask, “Hey, I am just following up”. Usually dead silence. There must be a better way.
I found a great article by Hendrik ve Vries with lots of ideas about creating effective follow up, “How to Avoid the ‘Just Following Up’ Email”. He suggests following up with information.
Information builds relationships! It is all about how we can help each other these days. For example, if I see an interesting article, like this one from Hendrik de Vries, I can send it to my contacts (that is you) with a note suggesting how to use this information. That will prompt you to come back and talk with me about the article, ideas, or how you might be able to use my services.
Job seekers, instead of sending follow up notes that say, “Hey, heard of any jobs lately”, you can send your targeted contacts interesting articles that might interest them along with a note that asks for an appointment for coffee to discuss this interesting idea.
Companies interested in meeting new talent can identify talent and send notes and articles about that person’s interests along with a note reminding them that you are interested. It is a great way to keep people close through information. Building relationships that have multiple touches of useful information reminds your targets that you are there and gives them something to think about. You become a useful source, not just a nagging nuisance.