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How is Dressing for the Day Like Marketing Your Business?

By
Home Stager with Transition Stage LLC

How is Dressing for the Day Like Marketing Your Business?

Hmmm... The day starts, and I'm standing in front of my closet, figuring out what to wear for the day. The things that influence my decision? First, the time of year, since in the Northeast, it can very, very cold and very, very hot - and everything in between.

Second, the type of weather forecast for the day - dry and sunny, warm to hot, or will it be raining - a mild drizzle or a teeming downpour? And what will the temperature be - and how will it vary during the time I'm out and about?

Closet

Third, there's the agenda for the day. Will I need to be ready to give a presentation? Or will I be helping clients with downsizing tasks - usually a pretty grimy business.

And then there's another strategy I put in place. I try to steer away from wearing the same things again and again, since I have a pretty good selection of clothing suitable to a variety of business occasions. At least once every week, I look in my closet and reach for a pair of pants or a skirt I haven't worn in a while, and then put together an outfit with as many other items that haven't seen the light of day as possible.

One interesting outcome of this is that I feel as though I have new clothes. Another is that it makes me think a little more creatively.


So, how is dressing for the day like marketing your business? You take lots of things into consideration - market conditions, the particular niche you're marketing to, which may be one of several, any particular type of client you may be seeking.

Then, in addition to pulling out the couple of standard marketing strategies you use regularly, you can look at some that have been "shoved to the back of the closet" for a while. Shake them out, see what might work together, and bring some fresh creativity to your marketing efforts.

If you have trouble figuring out what some of these might be, take a stroll through the vast walk-in closet within ActiveRain. Marketing creativity and new mixes and uses abound here.

No need to wear that same old outfit yet again.

 

Photo credit:

Rubbermaid Closet


How is Dressing for the Day Like Marketing Your Business?

Comments (55)

Jerry Morse
The Morse Company - Janesville, WI
BBA,GRI

Hey, I always try to plan to dress appropriately for my schedule too.  Otherwise, my wife reminds me! 

Apr 17, 2011 08:06 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

We are indeed marketing ourselves as well as since I am often walking through sand on Gulf front properties, if it isn't dead winter you will usually find me in capris, sandals and a 3/4 sleeve blouse. Anything else and I would MELT down here!

Apr 17, 2011 10:00 AM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Bryan - Isn't it funny how that happens sometimes? On the other hand, I'm sure being dressed in a suit gave you a feeling of confidence when meeting this new client - no matter how he was dressed!

Apr 17, 2011 12:59 PM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Judy - Yikes! I hate it when that happens! However, having a justification for shopping can be a good thing, yes?  ;-)

Apr 17, 2011 01:00 PM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Michael S. - Yep, looking through some strategies we haven't use in a while can get our creativity - and possibly work - flowing again. Thanks!

Apr 17, 2011 01:01 PM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Michael J. - Yes, indeed, it's good to wear some of our other clothes now and then, and it's good to re-think and re-use some older strategies when we're feeling a bit dull or like our presentation needs a bit of a boost. Thanks!

Apr 17, 2011 01:05 PM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Virginia - Thanks - I'm glad you like my analogy.

Apr 17, 2011 01:06 PM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Cory - Thanks very much! I wish you the same.

Apr 17, 2011 01:06 PM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Greg - We all have our guilty pleasures - they make life worth living. But sometimes, we just have get into uniform to meet client expectations.

Apr 17, 2011 01:08 PM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Betsy - That's a really good plan! Staging and all the tasks leaing up to it can sure be a messy business. It's great that you're prepared with a way to "smarten" up your attire when the need arises.

Apr 17, 2011 01:09 PM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Jerry - Sounds like your wife is a good partner!

Apr 17, 2011 01:10 PM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Barbara-Jo - I can really understand that. I'm sure that your clients' attitudes toward casual dress is governed by the atmosphere in which you work.

Apr 17, 2011 01:11 PM
Michele Myers
Prudential Homesale Services Group - Harrisburg, PA
Harrisburg/Hershey Realtor

We all need to dress for success . . .every single day.  You get only one chance to make a first impression, so why let a dress-down day ruin an opportunity?

Apr 17, 2011 01:57 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Judy, our wardrobe changes depending on the season - it gets so hot here, but there is always room to look professional in any type of outfit.

Sharon

Apr 17, 2011 02:08 PM
Lana Robbins Realtor ® Licensed Real Estate Broker
Aloha Kai Real Estate - Clearwater, FL
Licensed in Florida, Washington, and Hawai'i

Hi Judy. If that's a picture of your closet it looks really organized. I have my purses and bags that are arranged by color in my closet. I especially love walking into the closet here at Active Rain LOL

Apr 17, 2011 02:39 PM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Michele - That is exactly right! We set the tone for professionalism with the way we present ourselves, including how we dress.

Apr 17, 2011 02:58 PM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Sharon - I think there are different norms for different parts of the country, although we all want to look our best. I could never imagine having to ress for success where the temperaturs and humidity get really high. I do much better here in the Northeast.  ;-)

Apr 17, 2011 02:59 PM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi lana - Alas, no, that's not my closet. Like you, though, I do very much enjoy the walk-in closet represented by AR.

Apr 17, 2011 03:00 PM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

Thansk for the words of wisdom, but I must admit I was more amazed at your closet. Glad to find out it is not really yours. Now I know you're normal and believe your words even more. LOL

Apr 17, 2011 04:36 PM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Sandi - It's always something to aspire to when companies publish "perfect" photos of closets, isn't it? ;-)

I know what you mean about feeling I'm normal - it can be sooo intimidating when people look and act so perfect. I'm glad my being normal gave more credence to what I wrote.

Apr 18, 2011 02:28 AM