The StuckForStaff.com Guide to working in Promotions & Field Marketing
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What do I need to be like?
You
Ideally, you will be well-presented, confident, outgoing, pleasant, polite, enthusiastic, and hard-working with good humour. You need to have discipline and
drive, as most promotional jobs only last a few days, so you will be constantly looking for work (Joining StuckForStaff.com can help you get work on those
free days). You should like meeting new people, as you will mostly be working with different people and the public each day. If you like travel, this is
a plus, as you may be offered work away from home. You should be versatile and able to adapt to situations quickly, and take whatever is thrown at you with
a positive attitude. If this all sounds like you, you’re ready to write your CV.
Your CV
Your CV should be tailored towards any promotional work or face-to-face marketing that you have done. Even if you haven’t worked for any agencies listed on
StuckforStaff.com, the chances are you may have carried out some promotional work for a company you have been employed by - whether flyering for a nightclub
or restaurant, or selling brochures at a theatre. It’s all relevant and you should highlight this experience.
Second to that, any work that involves interacting with members of the public, on a service level is good, as are academic qualifications (particularly any
related to marketing or PR), and practical achievements, especially a first aid
or food safety certificate.
Try to list any skills that may be relevant, for instance roller-skating, dancing or computer-literacy, and definitely mention a driving licence and level
(motorbike / car / HGV etc).
Don’t forget to include contact details (always include a mobile, otherwise you will miss out on work) and list your vital statistics. Many promotional
jobs will involve a uniform, so it is helpful to know what sizes you are. Useful statistics to include are: Height, hair colour, eye colour, chest, waist, hips,
inside leg, hat, and shoe.
If you are an actor, or performer, it is worth briefly listing this experience and any significant roles, but never send only a performers
CV - whilst a performing background is useful to this business, a well-rounded work and education background is important and should not be glossed over.
Make sure your CV is well-presented, and typed neatly and accurately - remember, promotions is all about creating a good image for a brand, so be sure
to reflect that in yourself.
Your Appearance and Photo
There are no hard and fast rules about what you should look like for promotion work, but you should definitely be well-presented, well-groomed and take pride
in your appearance. You will be acting as a brand ambassador, and as such, unless a specialist look is specifically required, you should be clean, smart,
neat and have no obvious or strange visible tattoos or piercings.
Guys should generally be clean shaven and girls should wear suitably subtle make-up. Both should pay particular attention to hair, face, hands and personal
hygiene.
It is paramount to provide agencies with a photo of yourself. As explained earlier, as a brand ambassador, your look is important, and just like a
modelling job, agencies may choose the person for the job based upon their look (ie. A rum manufacturer, may want a Latin-looking team to sample their product
to fit in with their brand message.) This photo should be a clear, simple shot of yourself, preferably a head and shoulders, and full length shot. Whilst a
good home photo is acceptable, you may want professional shots done - this is a good investment, especially if you are going to do lots of Promotion work.
Photos are not so important for field marketing work, but they will do no harm.
A comprehensive list of photographers can also be found at www.net-model.com. Be wary of overpriced
photographers - some (especially "makeover" companies) will offer you a free session, but will then charge a ridiculous amount for your prints. Use caution when
booking and find out all details. In this industry, it is standard practice to send an agency your "Z-card" - this is simply a printed card with a variety
of photos of yourself on it, along with your contact details - to get some printed, try
www.bowdesignandprint.com.
So now your CV and photo is done, you’re ready to join some agencies.