Know-How Exchange : Branding

Hi, I'm not sure if this will help you or not, but if you search Twitter for "Freelance designer, writer, photo etc. many of them are posting links to their personal sites to gain more business. It may give you some good samples.

godaddy has some templates for job seekers too.

Hey, BARQ. Is it fair to question the strategy?

If the objective is to secure a new position as an advertising account exec, building a professional website may not be the best use of her time and energy.

If it were my decision, I'd suggest an intensive research project to identify the one or two companies that have the greatest immediate need for her skills and experience. Then she should really deep-dive the research on that company (or those two companies) and approach them with an offer they can't refuse.

You might also suggest that she get a copy of The Potato Chip Difference. The book's subtitle is How to apply leading edge marketing strategies to landing the job you want. It explains the "narrow-and-deep" approach in some detail and contrasts it to the "broad-and-generic" approach.

The book also contains findings and advice from dozens of professionals who were either looking for jobs or hiring, and it may clarify your client's thinking on how to go about the task most effectively.

Building a website may not be the best way to demonstrate her strengths as an advertising account exec.

Jeff,

Here's a link that can help with her personal branding strategy development and social media execution.

https://mycareerbranding.wordpress.com/

hope it helps,

Steve

I am with mgoodman. A web site which someone likely wouldn't find on their own is likely not the best use of time. Instead, a website that is good enough (as in time put mostly into wording/content, but not focused as much on format) would do fine. Or even just use a site like Linkedin, which provided an address for each person's profile.

Then focus time on getting people to look at the web site, or at her resume. Things like networking.

Dear BARQ,

I have no clue whether a website will help your client get the
job she's looking for, but if it CAN help, why not check out the following:

www.designer-daily.com/50-great-websites-designs-for-your-inspiration-2372

https://tutorialblog.org/30-great-website-designs-part1/

https://tutorialblog.org/30-great-website-designs-part3/

https://spyrestudios.com/25-website-designs-to-draw-inspiration-from/

https://www.instantshift.com/2009/06/10/88-single-page-website-designs-for-...

And for really easy, template-based sites that look pretty darn grand, check out www.sitekreator.com.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Gary Bloomer
Wilmington, DE, USA
Follow me on www.twitter.com @GaryBloomer

Jeff, I created a wesite for myself las year for a similar purpose - not to have people find it, per se, but rather to give the link to rcruiters and potential employers. I have received great feedback - have her see if something like this would work for her: www.JenniferTremblay.net.

~ Jennifer

Take a look at www.brandonsutton.com. He has done a good job with his site.

LinkedIn.com and Wordpress.com

Jeff - these may be too obvious, but wanted to mention them just the same: sethgodin.com, guykawasaki.com, gapingvoid.com

In a time when "social branding" is highly useful - I don't know why someone would concentrate their efforts on a (relatively) static website. I agree with those who steer in the direction of a blog. The reasons are that the content will be read faster by search engines, will likely appeal to more people, and fits the social-landscape.

I guess the question is, what does this person want to accomplish by having a website? Since she does not seem to be a creative - I can't think of any really good reasons for doing it.

I think by using social media networks to build a personal/professional brand - you send a message that you are savvy and current (as well as you do it well). By blogging you are frequently sharing insight/thought-leadership - and that's what people like.

If she is hell-bent on having a website - or you really want to biz - it should be something that is very social and has links to the major social media venues and has a blog. It should also be SEO. I would say these days, you want to have a design that is pretty modern and says you are "one of the in kids". And yes, guykawasaki.com is a great website - but everyone expects him to have one. But then take a look at chrisbrogan.com - his website is a blog; and its ranked highly by Technorati and Top 20 Advertising Age blogs.

K