Five Job-Hunting Tips for Grads

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Michelle Damico

Image via Wikipedia

In this tough job market, candidates need to use every tool at their disposal to find work. Using social networks is a natural, because you can reach many, target niche audiences, and mine your friends and family for contacts.

You rarely find a job from someone you know. It’s more likely that someone who knows a friend or relative will connect you to your next employer. That layer of connections is the magic potion that social media provides. How do you dive into those layers to make sure you’re searching every available corner for work? Here are five tips to get you started.

1. Start with family and friends.

Call them first and let them know you’re in the market for a job. Ask if it’s OK to email your resume and a short cover letter that spells out your value to a future employer. Provide succinct bullet points about your strengths and why those strengths matter. Your resume should tell a future employer what YOU can do for them. Ask your direct contacts to forward your resume to those who might be interested.

2. After you’ve made the rounds to friends and relatives, use your Facebook account to reach those acquaintances (or those you contact less frequently) and tell them you’re hunting for a job, are seeking suggestions and are eager to hear their words of wisdom. Direct them to your resume on LinkedIn (include the URL on your Facebook page).

3. What? You don’t have a LinkedIn Profile? Are you crazy?

If you are hunting for a job, you MUST get on LinkedIn ASAP? Why? Most recruiters (85 to 95%) surveyed say they go to LinkedIn first before anywhere else to find talent. It’s THE leading professional network. LinkedIn offers a variety of ways to showcase your skills, personality and experience. While most counselors will tell you to limit your resume to one page, there’s unlimited space on LinkedIn. So spell out the activities that are relevant to your job search. Mention your rank on the Dean’s List and include the job at the off-campus pizza parlor that helped pay your way through school.

You can fill your LinkedIn profile with as much information as possible to give that prospective employer a complete view of why you’re their perfect candidate. Plus, you can ask people to post letters of reference so that all those bosses and colleagues who loved working with you can tell others why they should hire you.

4. If you happen to have a specific area of expertise, you can elevate your profile with LinkedIn “Answers.” There are people who make it their goal to answer LinkedIn queries posed by others. What’s beautiful about this? The LinkedIn rating system: Answer many questions and have your answers rated as the most helpful, and you’ll be rewarded and acknowledged for your expertise on LinkedIn. So when a recruiter scopes out your profile vs. another job candidate, you’ll have an extra boost thanks to your efforts trying to help others.

It’s easy to see the questions and answers being posed every minute on LinkedIn. They’re categorized by industry, so look up the industry that interests you, and follow the conversations.

5. Make the most of that Q & A.

I have made great connections with people who have answered my LinkedIn questions. I dutifully rate the best answers, and I immediately send an invitation to connect. Doing so further widens your network, and only brings more good karma to the job search. And when it comes to social media and job hunting, karma is one of your most valuable assets. Job hunting, like social networks, follows the same dictate: “If you give much, you will get much in return.” It’s a great rule to follow in the job search and for the rest of your life.

Farmers and Facebook – One Nudge at a Time!

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Michelle Damico

For many farmers, the hardest part about social media is taking the plunge. So maybe you just need a little shove, a few small steps to get you started? That was the topic we covered today on RFD Now, a program produced by the Illinois Farm Bureau and carried on 70 radio stations in the Midwest. I was joined by Chris Klein, the owner of Klein’s Farm and Market out of western Illinois. Chris’ farm has had a Facebook presence for about a month, and she launched it immediately following one of my social media workshops for farmers. We talked with RFD Radio hosts Julie Root and Allan Jarand. (You can hear a recording of the segment at http://www.farmweeknow.com/radio.aspx).

If you’re not on Facebook and eventually hope to establish a business presence, here are a few things you should do now:

Sign up and get a personal account so you can have access to Facebook and see what other farmers are doing.
Go to other farms and businesses in your community and begin Liking them to see how they’re using Facebook.
Find your friends and relatives and begin friending them. You’ll turn to those friends when you establish your Facebook business presence.
After you see what others are doing, identify your own business goals for Facebook? Get 100 likers by Labor Day? Boost sales at your market or farm? Increase sales of a specific item?
Identify how you’ll achieve that goal. Will you simply generate awareness about the farm? Promote special produce? Provide helpful growing tips for the back yard vegetable garden? Advice for how to prepare the produce you grow? Maybe you just want to establish a face on farming, so your customers understand the hard work involved in getting food to their tables?

As a newbie on Facebook, it can still be overwhelming. So make it easy to transition into social media:

Your first month, just interact with other farms or businesses. See how they respond when you post items on their wall. You’ll find many businesses don’t reply at all. I call that anti-social media. If you are not going to have a dialogue on Facebook, why bother being on it at all? Your “Likers” don’t want to hear about your sales or promotions. They want to know who YOU ARE. Provide them with something valuable — your expertise. And have a conversation. Take advantage of this marvelous network!
Also, If you have a smart phone, download a free Facebook app and start taking photos and uploading them onto your Facebook page. It’s very easy once you try.
Once you have a comfort level, you can use your existing account to set up a Facebook page for your business.
Be sure you take advantage of the business info tab to give the fullest description about what you do and how you help your customers. Provide complete address and contact information. And be sure you use key words so if Facebook user are searching for a strawberry farmer in Udina Illinois, you’ll drive them directly to your Facebook page.

Great story? Let your instincts guide you.

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Michelle Damico

Go with your instincts — that’s the simplest rule I followed as a reporter looking for a story for WXRT newscasts and now as a PR/marketing professional working on behalf of clients. My instincts never seem to fail me. Here’s proof — this past week.

My client, Ambrosia Euro American Patisserie is having a fundraiser this Saturday, May 21st at their cafe in Barrington. Deborah and Richard Rivera are hosting Sweet Relief for Chef Rob Macey, a respected restaurant owner and food service pro who is burdened by medical bills following a very risky brain surgery this year.

The Riveras and Macey are rock stars among foodies here in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and downtown as well–they have a huge following of foodies and industry professionals. So when Debby and several of Rob Macey’s friends decided on a fundraiser, the entire restaurant community responded with generosity, as did their many customers. The donations for help and silent auction items have been pouring in from Ambrosia customers as well as the vendors who serve some of the Chicago area’s finest restaurants. Rob Macey himself has been so humbled by the outpouring that he is insisting on preparing some of the buffet dishes himself in Ambrosia’s kitchen. Two local musicians will be performing in the bakery/cafe. I had a strong hunch this would attract many local journalists. Why?

It’s a great story about

great people and their passion to help others.
how food drives passion and devotion to excellence
loyalty and friendship, sacrifice and taking care of each other.

I told Debby that this is more than your typical, run-of-the-mill fundraiser and suggested that we reach out to local media to help us spread the word. Every reporter I contacted wanted interviews with Rob and Debby. See the coverage, which all occurred this past week.

Fundraiser aims to help local chef recover, Daily Herald, Sunday, May 15, 2011

Friends cook up fundraiser to help chef, Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Friends Rally to help Ailing Chef, Patch.com/Lake Zurich, Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Of all the great quotes that came out of these stories, this is the one I love the most:

What the heck did I do in my life to have so many friends and people to offer to help?

Hope to see you at Ambrosia this Saturday night!

DIY PR? Sure, you can!

Posted on April 23, 2011 by Michelle Damico

Yes, you can be your own PR agent.

If you’re like many entrepreneurs launching a small business, a budget for PR is often last on the priority list. That’s unfortunate, because we’re all news providers these days, hungry for great news content for our own Facebook page, YouTube Channel, Twitter feed and other social media platforms. Having your story told through word-of-mouth marketing or in traditional media such as newspapers, radio, and TV is one of the most effective ways to attract new customers and build your business.

While it does require effort and learning, it’s possible to wear another hat and become your own PR rep. Like anything, you need to keep at it, even if you don’t see instant results.

I recently was interviewed about DIY PR for business people by Catherine Morgan, Transition and Entrepreneur Coach from Point A to Point B Transitions. Please take a listen and let me know if I can help you get started. Email me: michelle at michelledamico dot com!

Great local farms using social media

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Michelle Damico

Farmers are proud of what they do! Photo by Michelle Damico

Today the Chicago Tribune wrote a wonderful story about farmers using social media in northern and northwestern Illinois and mentioned the workshop I presented to encourage other farms to jump on the social media band wagon. The story is headlined: Farmers plant seeds on social media.

A few of my friends have asked me for links to the Farmer’s pages on Facebook. From FB, you should be able to find their web site as well!

Twin Garden Farms Web Site, Facebook Page Gary Pack at Twin Gardens Farms has a fantastic web site as well as a YouTube channel. He puts his heart into social media, as well as his delicious Mirai corn, which is sold at Chicago Farmer’s Markets.

Klein’s Farm and Garden Market — they launched their FB page just after attending my social media workshop. Follow them and spread the word. They are wonderful people.
Stade’s Farm – if you live in McHenry County, no doubt you’ve visited Stade’s. Sign up for their newsletter too! And don’t miss their apple cider donuts come harvest time!
Heritage Prairie Farm – Their social web properties will knock you out! Just amazing work. These folks know social media. You’ll find them on Flickr, FB, YouTube, etc. Plus they host these all natural farm dinners throughout the summer and fall. You will be so impressed.
Woodstock Farmers Market – I love Woodstock’s market for the variety and for the farmers.
Chicago Farmer’s Markets – one of the best cities for farmer’s markets anywhere!

Those are just a start. I’ll add more as I think of them.

If you have a favorite that’s not on my list, please share with us by leaving a comment with the link.

Thanks everyone!

Farmers and Social Media — a natural match

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Michelle Damico

photo by Michelle Damico

The RFD Radio Network, a production of the Illinois Farm Bureau, has invited me to monthly appearances on their morning news program called Farm Week Today. I’ve been interviewed by hosts Julie Root and Alan Duran about the growth in the number of farmers hitching their tractors to social media. Each week we delve into a new topic related to social media.

In this excerpt, I discuss how social media lets farmers begin conversations with their customers long before their crops sprout out of the ground.

Michelle on RFD Radio

Turning Heads: Farmers on Social Media

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Michelle Damico

This week I was interviewed on Illinois Farm Bureau Radio, which to my surprise is carried on nearly two dozen radio stations in Illinois and Iowa. Host Julie Root of the program Farm Week Now, interviewed me along with Emily Webel, mother of four and co-operator (along with her husband) of a livestock and grain farm in central Illinois. Emily tells her story through her blog Confessions of a Farm Wife.

We talked about why social media is gaining popularity among farmers and agri-businesses ranging from honey farmers, corn and grain producers, organic farmers and livestock producers.

You can listen to the radio interview AND read Julie Root’s blog post on our interview. The audio can be found in a radio box on the left side of Julie’s blog. You can also hear Julie’s entire radio interview at http://www.farmweeknow.com/radio.aspx by looking for the “Morning Programs” and click on the date March 23, 2011. Our segment ran started about 25 minutes into the program. It was a lot of fun!

Follow Julie Root on Twitter @Julie_RFDRadio

Social Web helps farmers plant seeds for growth

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Michelle Damico

Madison Farmer's Market

Most people don’t put farming and social media in the same sentence, but farmers are jumping on the Facebook bandwagon, whether they’re agri-tourism destinations such as Stade’s Farm in Johnsburg, specialty farmers, organic farmers such as Sweet Home Organics in LaFox and artisan producers of cheese, jams or natural soaps, fibers and wool. You meet them at your local farmer’s markets, providing advice and guidance on how to prepare their locally grown produce. They establish customer relationships that unfortunately go on hiatus during the winter months. Using Facebook or Twitter is a natural way to keep the conversation going year-round, and to keep learning and building trust between the farmer and his\her customers. It’s also a great and timely way to spread word of mouth about their offerings and availability throughout the growing season

I’m presenting at a social media workshop — Planting Seeds for Business Growth – Tuesday, March 29^th and it’s sponsored by the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation and will be held at the McHenry County Farm Bureau (1102 McConnell Road, Woodstock, IL 60098). If you patronize farms or farmers markets, please spread the word to any farmers you may know. I have more details below. Thanks much. Michelle

Farmers and farm-based businesses will learn how they can deploy free social media tools to market their businesses, generate valuable word-of-mouth, attract new customers, strengthen current relationships, drive website traffic and support agri-tourism and the local economy. They’ll also learn about farms that already use Facebook, YouTube and other networks to connect with customers.

Social media evangelists Marla Pendergrast and Michelle Damico will make an informative and engaging presentation to demonstrate how using free social media tools can lead to real business results. Marla and Michelle have developed the highly successful digital properties for Twin Garden Farms and other local businesses. They will share their experiences and discuss which social media tools are right for you.
We will also discuss how interactive online communication, including Web sites, social media marketing, and video can help County farmers and farm businesses develop trade opportunities and open new markets.

Reserve tickets through the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation.

Tell me what you do (in a minute or less)!

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Michelle Damico

So tell me, what do you do?

When customers and prospects visit your website, Facebook or other digital properties, do they see a memorable message about your business and how it helps people or other businesses? In an elevator or at a cocktail party would someone understand your business value proposition in a minute or less?

If “NO” is the answer to both questions, you should consider creating or simplifying your business message or starting from scratch with a message framework.

It sounds easier than it is. Creating one short soundbite explaining what you do and why it matters to your target audience takes time, perspective and a willingness to dig beyond your mission statement and product/service description.

It also requires a kind of objectivity that’s difficult to practice when your business is your baby. The message development process can take hours, days or weeks, depending on your own and your customers’ experiences. My approach is to take it in baby steps; the first three are fact-finding steps.

Know Your Audience — pinpoint their problem, and consider all the ways that problem keeps them worried or makes them lose sleep.
List all the ways your product/service solves that problem. If you have a long list, put the top three in priority.
Describe the most important features that you offer a customer and how those features specifically address that problem.

The final fourth step has more to do with your customer’s feelings or emotions. We all establish personal connections to a business. I choose a neighborhood printer versus going online for my letterhead and business cards because the manager of the Minute Man Press in my town makes me feel important. As a small business owner, that’s a good feeling and one that will keep me coming back.

So once you’ve done all your fact-finding in steps 1, 2 and 3, consider the emotional response from your client when you do business with him/her? Does he feel more secure? Trusting? Smart that he’s spending his money wisely? Protected because you’re watching out for her business?

Navigating this process requires your own review of how you’ve helped customers and the anecdotes they’ve shared about how you made a difference. It’s also best to conduct this messaging process with the help of a third party, someone who can be objective, who doesn’t live and breathe your business, and who can provide a different perspective of your business and your audience. The anecdotes you gather become the supporting points that bolster your message. These “proof points” also serve as conversation-extenders, since prospects want to hear about other customer experiences for a better understanding of how you’ll help them.

So let’s get a conversation started — What do you do?

Red Cross Voluntweeters turning heads, again!

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Michelle Damico

As a follow up, it’s worth sharing that the Chicago Red Cross‘ “Voluntweeters to the Rescue” story that I blogged about previously got picked up today by Newsradio 780 reporter Bernie Tafoya. Here’s one of his reports that aired during this morning’s newscasts. http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/02/21/stranded-motorists-used-twitter-during-blizzard/.

I’m hoping the Red Cross experience with Twitter during the Chicago Blizzard will convince the City of Chicago to take a closer look at how Twitter can easily be used to respond to emergencies and disasters. Given that the Red Cross carried out its Twitter Blizzard Rescue with little to no budget, relying solely on a band of volunteers, it is a great lesson on the power of crowdsourcing and the right social media tools when disaster strikes.

This story is getting a lot of interest — just do a search of @ChicagoRedCross on Twitter to see the number of people tweeting about it. It’s definitely worth talking about. Hope you spread the word.