Content creation, client needs are close to dating – better info turns into ‘righter’ decisions

Certainly, online dating and sending RFP-level material to potential clients is a legitimate analogy. Wanting a good professional or emotional connection, one that satisfies a recognized need, works best when everyone is honestly trying on the information front.

Three specific examples of “finding the other”  involves a high, low, and medium set of informational points, and how it affects the successful matching up of elements desired by both parties.

On the low end would be a personal ad lacking any imagination or effort – one picture (the bathroom selfie), minimal written, or “If you want to know more, ask” slackery. That’s an unsatisfying combination from among hundreds of other possibilities, and its headed for the Out Bin almost as a reflex, right?

Content creation types understand that every CV or cover letter sent involves a judgment of our writing skills.

On a lovely, cool Monday morning, I declare that The Super High end of information is represented by 2 1/2 pages of printed who, what, why, how? relative to one recent company’s Content Marketing position.

A statement of their corporate positioning, an introduction to expectations of a new team member, responsibilities, necessary skill set, personal qualities (hmmm…humility?), and finished up with bullet points about extras in the compensation situation you’d probably want to know about – whew!

Whether pursuing dates or a potential client, you’d invest more effort in something A-B-C, 1-2-3 clear about extra details to start. From the content creator side, responding to that well-defined description with an equally well-defined reason to investigate further is fundamentally right.

The best middle ground is a match that shows up as a 100% as advertised stud or stud-ette.  Great attitude, desired attributes sharp and documented-explained, articulate enough during the meet-greet time over coffee or a beverage raising expectations of possibilities. If all is in tune over introductions, coffee, post-concert or snacks perhaps – its much easier to discuss what Next might look like.

What needs to be done when the bell is rung

Many of us think we’re the middle group professionally, that it’s just a matter of getting in front of a decision maker. Perhaps we lack an attribute or two software-wise,  or documented depth of expertise required (Six years? Whaaaat?), but unless its an organic height requirement, face-to-face will win the day.

Uhh-huh.

What would be amazingly naive of the one picture profile to think, is just as unproductive for a content creator candidate to ignore in how to impress that ‘date’ appropriately with clues in a well-written description . 

That Super High end information provider is a remote location possibility vs. office situation, as welcome and positive as a bright smile from across the room in such iffy times. The role responsibilities included a versatile style across several channels (bingo!), engaging with subject matter experts (sales career and all previous freelance writing featured interviewing as a strength), and some esoteric pieces, like “the gumption to wrestle with a problem until a thought-through solution is achieved.”

Immediate, verifiable info regarding  candidate

Meeting my date Saturday provided immediate, verifiable positive intelligence regarding an All That candidate that doesn’t happen often. She was interesting, attractive, way better than just fit, a look-you-in-the-eye type with a compelling story about spirituality (including tarot, the hook in my books) that kept conversation flowing. OMG! also wanted to go ‘dutch’ from the get-go.

Having seen the up-close reality of that option, it would be terrific if there was more to discuss in the near future. Hold onto that thought, because a real meeting of people vs. just minds included almost two weeks of texting, and both of us had multiple pictures and profile writing positively affirmed from conversation.  Elementally, the dating system worked, and leaving out that information makes it sound like luck.

Never let it be thought you only did the least that could be done when making submissions. Quality communications don’t need to be all-revealing bikini shots of one’s career, just promote the belief that as responders, we might be that terrific person you’ll want to discuss a future relationship with.

All positive responses constitute a successful ‘first date’ for a content creation person.