Five Steps for Success

I've become a follower of Seth's Blog because Seth typically has invaluable advice for people in the marketing and business world. One of his recent posts, "Simple Five Step Plan for just about Everyone and Everything," was particularly good. In fact, it was so good that I decided to share his plan with you.

1. Go make something happen.
Jobs aren't going to come to you. Be pro-active. Join organizations and attend events. When you're networking in an attempt to find work, be shameless in your self-promotion. The only way to get noticed is to talk about yourself and your abilities.

2. Do work of which you're proud.
In order to be confident when you approach a potential employer or contractor, you have to be proud of your work. Having a good portfolio does wonders for the nerves. Even if you're not naturally outgoing, having items in your portfolio of which you're proud gives you excellent talking points. If you're ashamed of your work, don't share it. You won't be able to speak confidently, and the person with whom you're meeting will only remember your poor work samples.

3. Treat people with respect.
Manners are not a thing of the past. Say "sir" and "ma'am." Use titles until you are told differently. Send a thank-you letter to the people with whom you meet, regardless of whether they provide you with work or generate leads. Sometimes, a thank-you letter will get you a call back even if you were told there was no work available. In addition, a thank-you letter refreshes your name with your contact and enhances your reputation in the local job market.

4. Make big promises and keep them.
To get to the top, you have to take risks, and you have to be committed to the risks you take. If you say you can deliver a product within such and such a timeframe or promise that you can deliver quantifiable results, ensure that you do. The worst thing you can do is make a promise and break it. If you know you can't deliver on what you have promised, speak with your contractor or employer. It's better to be honest up-front than to make excuses later.

5. Deliver the product.
Do the necessary work to make your deadlines. Don't procrasinate. If you don't deliver the first time, you're not likely to get a second chance.

When in doubt, start with step one.