Although we think of marketing communications as mostly printed and electronic promotional pieces, there is one part of the communication process that is completely personal--you. Most of us represent our companies or even ourselves, if we are looking for a job or a project. We may have nice business cards but what else are we doing to market ourselves? Yesterday, I attended a networking/educational event where I saw <a class="wp-caption" title="Kate Perrin" href="http://www.prstaffing.com/" target="_blank">Kate Perrin</a>, a fabulous networker and business person. We discussed (among other things like the Daschle debacle) how people present themselves.  This area, which I consider personal marketing, is rarely addressed but it is crucial nonetheless.

Why is your personal presentation a part of marketing? Simply,  because  <em>all marketing is about perception</em>, and how we look (how we are dressed, our body language, our demeanor in general) determines the perception others have of us. If I show up to an interview in sloppy clothes, doesn't it seem that I didn't put any effort in and that I really don't care what people think? Similarly, if I go to a business  event where everyone is wearing "business attire" and I am wearing flip-flops and shorts, don't I look out of place? Creative people generally dress creatively and corporate people also tend to dress in corporate attire. There is a reason for this--they are branding themselves.  This extends to business  cards as well. A lawyer probably will hand you a linen embossed card and a designer might give you a colorful one.

A few months ago, I attended a networking event. The woman in charge was a business owner, and had a direct marketing firm. She talked about email campaigns and such. However, I was distracted from her message because she was dressed in a suit circa 1985, and had  unstyled long hair. She was clearly stuck in an earlier era, so my impression of her was that in no way could she conduct a 21st Century direct marketing campaign.

Of  course not everyone should be cookie-cutter, dressed in navy blue suit and showing no hint of personal style. But there are some generalities about personal marketing:
<ul>
	<li>Clothing style reflects your brand--what do you want your brand to be?</li>
	<li>Sloppiness never looks professional</li>
	<li>Business cards are part of your  personal marketing package</li>
	<li>Your handshake speaks volumes about you</li>
	<li>A smile goes a long way</li>
</ul>