Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

What do Marketing Graduates need to know?

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I had drinks recently with a professor friend of mine and she asked me what companies are looking for from their Marketing Interns. GREAT question, I should have more answers than I did, but it got me thinking about what graduates need to know. So here’s a few things that popped out to me:

1. Writing. you have GOT to be a good writer, it’s all about content marketing in this day and age. Can you write it in 4 paragraphs? can you write it in 140 characters? We’ll need you to do both.

2. Know the company inside and out. This onus is as much on the company as the intern/new hire. But to best be the voice (or a voice) of the company, tell them everything. When I worked at PSBJ I asked everyone questions. People asked me questions and I got the answer. It made me a ridiculous resource. I knew answers to editorial questions some of the reporters weren’t sure of. Ask and get answers.

3. Ask questions. Don’t say yes if you don’t really mean it. Ask questions, make sure you’re making progress and figure it out yourself when possible, but make sure you ask questions.

4. Do NOT hit send on that email. A big conversation with my friend was about being a good writer. You need to be a good writer, however it seems like spelling isn’t as big of an “issue” these days. With spellcheck and auto correct you’ve got a built in CYA. So, first day on the job, set up your inbox to automatically spell check before it hits send. Make sure you READ the email before you hit send. your/you’re/yore are different words. its/it’s/its’ mean different things. And I would fire you if I see a lot as one word. Read the email before you hit send, use spell check. It’s OK if you aren’t a good speller, but there’s no excuse for bad spelling in this day and age.

5. Ask to try new things. If there is something you’re interested in learning, make sure to ask. And a good manager can hopefully (within reason) give you the opportunity to try out something you may not have thought you’d get to try. When I was interning at the local NBC affiliate in Spokane, I was in the promotions department. However, my manager setup a day for me to ride around with a reporter and watch them get their story on the news. Pretty cool. And a good reminder that the quick turnaround pressure was NOT the right fit for me.

Comicon and the Art of Social Media

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IMG_3178This weekend my dad and I attended Emerald City ComiCon. It. Was. AWESOME. We had a great time, discovered new comics and artists and pop culture geekery that will keep us both busy for the next few months.

As I was walking through the convention one question I noticed myself asking often was “are you on Twitter?” If I bought every comic or cool art piece I saw this weekend, I’d have spent a fortune! But some people had really cool stuff and when I”m ready for a new piece or art, or need to buy my niece the Baby Sitters Club Graphic Novel or am ready to have my own R2D2, I know who to contact and Twitter will remind me that I liked them.

I was really surprised how many artists didn’t have a business card or postcard with a cool doodle or main character on it, and all their social media buttons on there for me. I asked a few about Twitter or even being able to buy their stuff online and it was “well, uh, I forgot, here you can write it down.” No, I’m good. Make it easy for me.

And if you have a QR code setup, make sure it goes to something, not just your home page. Give me an opportunity to engage with you. I’ll sign up for your newsletter to get $5 off today, sure! I’ll follow you on Twitter because your comic is clever. I won’t like your Facebook page because, well, we all know why, BUT my dad might! Make it easy for your potential customers to engage with you. They may not make a purchase today, but if you make it easy for them to remember you, they’ll buy when they’re ready.

And no, we didn’t Cosplay as Darth Vader & Princess Leia.

Authentic Selling Workshop in April!

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For those of you who are interested to hear more about how I work and glean insights from me, but are afraid to ask, do I have the answer for you! Coming up on Wednesday, April 3rd, I’ll be speaking at the Puget Sound Business Journal on Authentic Selling: Growing Your Business When You Think You Hate Sales. 

It will be a fun and interactive workshop where you get to learn from me, for more time and less money than with a typical one on one appointment. Check out more information on the PSBJ website and I look forward to seeing you there!