Creative Self-Marketing Approaches

“I don’t know anyone in the industry.” Neither did I. Neither did most of us. But we got in. Not by knowing people. But by getting known. Let’s break the illusion that networking = coffee chats. Because if you're a May 2025 grad (especially an international student)... Time’s ticking, anxiety’s rising, and sending 100 resumes isn't enough. You need visibility. You need credibility. You need a connection. Here are creative networking strategies most people don’t discuss—plus how to do them. 1. Create a “Missing Manual” for Your Dream Role Instead of sending a cold message, create something they’ve never seen. How to do it: Research a company/role you're interested in (e.g., Marketing Analyst at Spotify) Find what skills, tools, or challenges are core to the role Build a 1-pager called: “What I Wish I Knew Before Joining [Team Name]” Write tips, links, tools, or ideas for someone in that role Send it as: “Hi [Name], I created this as a learning tool while researching roles like yours. Thought you might enjoy it—or even improve it. Would love to hear what you think.” Why it works: You’re not asking for a job. You’re showing value. And curiosity. 2. Make a “Portfolio Video” Breakdown of a Brand or Campaign Especially helpful for roles in product, strategy, UX, or marketing. How to do it: Pick a brand you love (or want to work for) Study one campaign, product, or feature they launched Record a 2-minute video: What worked What could be better What you do differently Post it on LinkedIn or send it directly to an employee there This shows critical thinking and industry fluency, without asking anyone to hop on a call. Some grads landed interviews this way before applying. 3. Interview 3 People... Then, Publish a Mini Guide People LOVE being featured. Even more than being asked for advice. How to do it: Pick a topic you want to learn about (e.g., “Getting into Product without a CS Degree”) DM 3 professionals and say: “Hey [Name], I’m creating a short guide for students breaking into [field]. Would love to ask 3 questions via email—takes 5 minutes. Would you be open?” Compile responses into a clean Notion or Canva doc Share it on LinkedIn and tag everyone Bonus: it builds your brand and your network. 4. Drop a Handwritten Note (IRL or Digitally) In a world of AI, everything, handwriting stands out. How to do it: Go to a local event, info session, or talk Afterward, write a thank-you note with 1 thing you learned If it’s virtual, write the same note and scan it as a PDF Email it to the speaker Subject line: “One Thing You Said That Stuck With Me” Nobody forgets the person who sends paper or care. Final Thought: You don’t need to be the most experienced. Just the most intentional. Get known for being someone who shows up. Because in the end… Jobs come from people. People connect to stories. And your story? Deserves to be told. #May2025Grads #InternationalStudents #NetworkingTips #CreativeCareerMoves #JobSearchHelp

A few years ago, I was at a point in my career where I felt like I was putting in all the effort but getting none of the results. I had the skills and experience, but I wasn’t standing out. That’s when I realized the problem: I wasn’t effectively marketing myself. I decided to change my approach. Instead of just listing my qualifications, I started sharing the stories behind them—the challenges I overcame, the lessons I learned, and how those experiences shaped me. The results were almost immediate. Suddenly, people were connecting with my story, and opportunities started to come my way. Here’s what I learned: 🟣 Embrace Your Story: Your journey is unique. Don’t just focus on what you’ve done—highlight how you’ve grown. 🟣 Be Authentic: People connect with real, relatable stories. Share your experiences, both the good and the challenging. 🟣 Consistency Matters: Regularly update your online presence with your journey and insights. This keeps you visible and relevant. Marketing yourself effectively is about more than just listing achievements—it’s about showcasing your authentic self. 🔗 What’s one story from your career that you can start sharing today? Let’s hear it! 👇

A member of the Herizon community asked me how they could be better at promoting themselves. It's a common challenge many of us face - especially while immigrating to a new country. So, I shared my personal experience and a strategy that worked for me. Instead of focusing solely on yourself, shift your perspective and put the spotlight on the companies you're approaching. Take the time to understand their needs and present your expertise in a way that addresses those needs. Let me share an example from my own journey. When I applied to Freska, the cleaning company I helped grow from <€1M to €13M ARR in just 2 years, I didn't talk about myself. Instead, I wrote a detailed Google Docs document outlining my plans to propel their growth over the next 6 months. As it turned out, the actual growth challenges were different from what I had initially anticipated, but my document conveyed my motivation and competence to handle the job. Ultimately, it made a lasting impression. The key takeaway here is to focus on the value you can bring to a potential employer or client. Show them that you understand their goals and challenges, and demonstrate how your skills, knowledge, and experience align with their needs. Remember, it's not about bragging—it's about showcasing your abilities in a way that resonates with the audience. By approaching self-promotion from this perspective, you can create meaningful connections and opportunities. If you're looking to enhance your self-promotion skills, I encourage you to give this approach a try. Feel free to share your own experiences or strategies in the comments below—I'd love to hear from you!

Self-promotion can be a series of uncomfortable steps outside one’s comfort zone, especially for introverts. Initially I struggled with marketing myself and the idea of self-promotion felt unnatural, almost inauthentic. However, reading "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain was a game-changer. It helped me “go inwards” to seek my unique introverted strengths that can be leveraged in marketing. I learned that self-promotion doesn't have to be loud or boastful; it can be authentic and value-driven. Here are a few techniques that helped me embrace marketing: ✅Share My Story: I began sharing my journey, focusing on real experiences and challenges in building team culture. This authenticity resonated more with my audience than any polished pitch could. ✅Value First: I shifted my focus from self-promotion to offering value. By providing actionable insights on purposeful leadership, I established my expertise naturally. ✅Leverage Content: Creating doodles that reflected my values and expertise allowed me to connect with like-minded individuals. Writing on LinkedIn and speaking at webinars became platforms where I could share my knowledge authentically. ✅Networking Authentically: I started engaging in meaningful one-to-one conversations rather than simply attending networking events. Building genuine connections with others in my field opened doors organically. Marketing yourself authentically might feel uncomfortable at first, but it's about finding your unique voice and sharing it with the world. How have you embraced self-promotion? Share your experiences!

𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐮𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 During my time working in the PR vertical at Wazir | The Strategy and Consulting Club, IIM Rohtak I learned while classroom frameworks provide structure, it's the creative thinking that truly drives impact. As an MBA student, I made a conscious choice to prioritize out/-of/-the/-box thinking alongside marketing theories. This approach was put to the test when launching our Wazir Casebook. Understanding our audience was critical - PGP13 (seniors) and PGP14 (juniors) each with different perspectives and interests. Instead of a standard announcement, I took a creative side I took both "batch celebrities" and unexpected participants (Silent killers) to create a promotional reel. The result? Over 10K views within 12 hours and becoming the talk of the campus! The fundamental STP framework - Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning guided our strategy, but creativity in execution made all the difference. When we combine solid marketing principles with creative implementation, everything falls into place. The frameworks give us direction, but an open creative mind gives us wings. What marketing lessons have you learned outside the classroom? How do you balance structure and creativity in your approach? People in the Video -> Adnan Ahmed Kunhi, Mridul Nohani, Aaditya Jain, Bikalp L. Camera and Team -> Aadi Shankar, Kishan P Hariharan, Eklavya Goyal, Abhinav Shekhar #MarketingStrategy #CreativeThinking #MBALessons #IIMRohtak #MarketingInsights