04.29.22
By Shannon Moore
How many times have you seen an event job that you’re really interested in, but you don’t qualify for it? Maybe because it requires that the staff be bilingual, or have a food handler’s card, or maybe even a commercial driver’s license. If that’s ever happened to you, now is the time to act! After all, there is no better time than the present to learn new skills and obtain certifications.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what you can work on now that will qualify you for more promotional event opportunities and more income.
Many experiential marketing activations that include any type of food or beverage sampling require staff certifications. It’s even more common (and it’s the law in a lot of states) to be certified to pour or serve alcohol for adult beverage activations – and as you know, alcohol promos are plentiful.
Certifications vary by state and you will need to research what certifications are required and acceptable in your state prior to taking an online course (there are scams out there, so be sure to verify that you are taking a legitimate course).
Having a CDL is the golden ticket in the world of promotional marketing management jobs (both in-market and for mobile marketing tours). Not only that, but it can open up even more opportunities outside of the experiential industry since there is always a need for CDL drivers.
There are three CDL classifications – A, B, & C. Typically, in experiential marketing the most common request is for Class B & C drivers, however, there are needs for Class A drivers, too (this classification is more expensive, is a longer course, and is rigorous, but for what it’s worth, Class A wages are higher than B & C).
Learn more about obtaining your CDL here.
Being bilingual or conversational in Spanish is a coveted job skill, both in experiential marketing and elsewhere. If you’ve always been interested in learning to speak Spanish, there are many resources to consider, including:
Emcees are always in high demand in the experiential marketing industry. If this is a role that interests you, there are plenty of online articles, videos, tips, and even courses that can teach the art of emceeing. But it doesn’t end there, if you feel like that it’s a role you want to pursue, you need to create an emcee reel and then add it to your event staffing agency profiles.
Expanding your knowledge and concentrating on your hobbies, passions, and interests will pay off, both personally and professionally. In experiential marketing, brands want brand ambassadors that align with their offerings to represent them. With that said, clients often request specialty staff who are knowledgeable in certain areas such as health and fitness, gaming, technology, creative arts, and so forth.
Now is the time to act on all of the things that you’ve always wanted to pursue. In doing so, you’ll have a whole new skill or set of skills to add to your brand ambassador resume. And those skills will most definitely pay off in the long run.
Article originally published in April 2020 and recently updated
