CMS - 7 Tips for Your Journey
I originally was going to give out a pamphlet thing with these 7 tips, but it wasn’t quality. The words were at least, but not the design and the material. This would’ve gone against my 7th tip, so I decided to put them here instead lol. Hope they are helpful!
Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
You have goals. Whether they’re materialistic or idealistic, for yourself or for your loved ones, you want to reach them one day. Don’t let distractions take you off course from getting to where you want to be. Comparison is the thief of joy. Your journey is YOUR journey for a reason.
Network Across
Networking is defined as, “The action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.” - Oxford Languages
While networking with a boss or CEO is important, networking amongst your friends and peers is also important, if not more. Issa Rae — actress, writer, and producer — attributed “networking across” rather than “networking up” to her success. Collaborating with those around you can be the key to the growth you seek.
Get on LinkedIn
Make a LinkedIn profile, especially all my seniors and juniors. Think of your favorite brand, sports team, celebrity, show, or movie. Someone who plays a role in their success is active on LinkedIn. You can “connect” with them, as well as see the education, experience, skills, and certifications it took for them to get in the roles they have now. Don’t be shy to inquire about what it takes to be where you want to be.
Build a Portfolio
For my aspiring artists, entrepreneurs, freelancers, etc., begin building a legitimate portfolio. Your IG feed doesn’t count, no matter how cool and cohesive your page is. Depending on the job, one of the first things hiring managers will look for is your resume and your portfolio. If that catches their eyes, THEN maybe they’ll check your social media.
Your Digital Footprint Matters
It’s ok to have fun on social media, just don’t post or share anything that could come back to haunt you. Employers and hiring managers absolutely will check out your social media. Also, your potential clients or customers may opt in or out of doing business with you depending on your content. If you can’t resist, then make your pages private. Or just be your own boss, but that’s easier said than done.
9-5s Aren’t All Bad
“I’mma be my own boss! I ain’t working for nobody!”
That’s cool and all G, but the truth is you need money to be your own boss. Entrepreneurship is one of the hardest things ever, and the success depends solely on you since you are in charge. Use the money you make from your part-time/full-time job to fund and build your entrepreneurship goals.
Provide Quality
Whatever you do, work to provide the best quality you can. For me as a photographer, I am confident I provide both quality photos and service. It’s hard for the haters to hate on you if what you offer is pure quality. Research what quality looks like for what you are interested in. Work to achieve quality in both your craft, and your customer service. Several of the opportunities I have gotten weren’t just because my craft and service are quality, but because my character is quality too. Be humble. Be quick to listen, slow to speak. Be empathetic. Equally respect every role involved, from the janitor to the CEO. Everyone has something to offer.