A successful marketing campaign is more than just a great portfolio and presentation. While those are certainly key pieces, each part of the process–from the first phone call to the follow-up thank you note–reflects you and your personal “brand.” It’s important that you take the time to develop a strong strategy in advance so potential employers have a consistent experience from start to finish.

Define your strategy.
Treat your personal marketing strategy like any other design problem. You are the client, and you have a problem that needs solved (i.e. you want a job). You have a goal or outcome to work towards, and you have a specific set of criteria and guidelines to consider. Take time to map out the process, points of contact, and any deliverables you’ll need along the way. Not only will you be prepared as a result, but you’ll have more control over the experience from beginning to end.
(more…)