Tami Reiss

Don't make people SEARCH for you! Be VISIBLE!!!

A few months back I touted the importance of staying visible when trying to accomplish something. Today, I am returning to this concept because it has delivered results. This week I will be starting three different part time positions that I would have never had the opportunity to have if I had not been present in places where connectors hang out.

First, I will be assisting with the coordination of an online show for the next two weeks. How did this happen: 1) I was at a tech networking event and we were introduced and then discussed how I might be able to help him (WIIFY), 2) I followed up the next day by emailing etc. which was well received, 3) Around a week later I sent a request for an update, at which point I was put in contact with the other founders and meetings were setup, 4) Tomorrow I will be attending a walk through.

Second, I will helping with the marketing push for some blogs through the social media blog rating sites. How did this happen: 1) My roommate is one of the writers for one of the blogs of this company and she knows I’ve been looking for marketing work (yes being visible to her is easier, but still relevant), 2) Her boss sent out some traffic stats and a request for recommendations for new marketing coordinators she forwarded my resume in, and I had a meeting with the content managers, 3) After the all important “Nice to meet you email” I was offered a part time (which they claim could lead to full-time after the ever present dot com re-org), 4) I now have a web pseudonym “FunnyWebGoddess” that will be “discovering and sharing all the funny parts of the web”.

Last, but certainly not least, starting Wednesday, I will be the marketing intern at a firm that specializes in web analytics and seo and learning how to tailor fit content to the market. How did this happen: 1) I was introduced to a young entrepreneur who I’ve been lucky enough to see and bond with at multiple tech events, we keep in touch through gchat, twitter, etc., 2) At an event he mentioned to me that I should apply for this internship that he couldn’t do because of a bad commute and personally introduced me (by email) to the CEO who had wanted him to join the team, 3) I responded to the CEO with my interest and cc’ed a trusted employee who I was connected with, 4) Interview, thank you email a few days later, and then a request for update email on the day that the CEO was supposed to decide who he has taking on. 5) 6:30pm on Friday email from CEO inviting me to join the team if I was still interested. 6) After a few emails about logistics, this Wednesday I’ll be spending my first 2.5 hours learning the ropes or Google analytics.

You maybe saying to yourself, why is she so excited about three part time positions that probably don’t pay very much? I would simply have to respond, that I will be learning new marketable skills from leaders in the industry, and staying VISIBLE to them, their connections, and the rest of the tech world while actually getting some cash in my pocket.